38 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE 



the grandson of Messenger. This mare was owned by Jonas 

 Seely of Chester, Orange County, New York, who later sold 

 her with foal at side to William M. Rysdyk for $125. This 

 colt was later named Hambletonian 10, and is frequently re- 

 ferred to as Rysdyk's Hambletonian. This stallion proved the 

 founder of the most famous American family of trotters, for to 

 him may be traced many of the most illustrious trotters of his- 

 tory. In 1851 Hambletonian began service in stud, which, with 

 the exception of one year (1868), he continued until 1872. Dur- 

 ing twenty-one years of service he sired 1287 foals, the service 

 fees for which amounted to $185,715. Hambletonian 10 was a 

 bay in color, with a star and white hind ankles, stood 15! hands 

 high, and was powerful in build. His head was large, with 

 pleasant eyes, his neck and shoulders strong, the body round 

 and full, legs and feet of superior character, and he stood some- 

 what higher behind than in front. As a three-year-old Hamble- 

 tonian made a record of 2.48^- over the Union course. He 

 died March 27, 1876, long after his value as a sire began to be 

 appreciated. He was undoubtedly the greatest progenitor in 

 American trotting history. 



Among the famous sons and daughters of Hambletonian 10 are 

 Alexander's Abdallah, Electioneer, George Wilkes, Aberdeen, 

 Volunteer, Happy Medium, Harold, Strathmore, Dictator, Dexter, 

 Nettie 2.18, Orange Girl 2.20, Gazelle 2.21, Jay Gould 2.21^, 

 and Bella 2.22. The first eight of these proved very prepotent 

 sires, and thus demonstrated the value of their remarkable sire. 



The Mambrino family. This family is named from Mambrino 

 Chief, foaled in 1844, and bred by Richard Eldridge of Dutchess 

 County, New York. Mambrino Chief was by Mambrino Pay- 

 master and he by Mambrino, the Thoroughbred son of Mes- 

 senger. His dam is untraced. He was a dark brown stallion 

 about 1 6 hands high ; by some referred to as coarse, though he 

 proved a very superior breeder. Mambrino Chief was taken to 

 Kentucky in 1854, where he went into active service and passed 

 the rest of his days. His son, Mambrino Patchen, sired scores of 

 trotters, while his daughter, Dolly, was the dam of Onward, 

 Director, and Thorndale, a remarkable trio. Mambrino King, by 

 Mambrino Patchen, was regarded by many as the most beautiful 



