CHAPTEE XL 



EDWARD EVERETT AND THE STAR-HAMBLETONIAXS. 



For reasons that may perhaps be apparent during the progress of 

 this chapter, I find it convenient to treat of the Edward Everett 

 branch of the Hambletonian family in connection with those whose 

 dams were the so-called Star mares. This son of Hambletonian is 

 one of the oldest now before the public, and has achieved no small 

 distinction as a sire of first-class trotters. He was foaled in 1855, was 

 bred by Adam Lilburn, of Orange county, N. Y., and has been owned 

 since 1869 by Robert Bonner, Esq., proprietor of the New York 

 Ledger^ a gentleman of national reputation, and as a patron and 

 friend of horse breeding, in the highest and noblest department, with- 

 out a rival or a peer. 



His first produce that achieved distinction was Mountain Boy, so- 

 often matched against Lady Thorn, who attained a record of 2:20f. 

 Judge Fullerton, another son of great distinction, has made many 

 campaigns, and has a record of 2:18. His fastest son is probably Joe 

 Elliott, who is generally credited with having trotted a mile in 2:19^,. 

 and is alleged also to have made a mile in 2:15^ — neither of wliich,. 

 however, were record performances. That he is capable of great 

 speed, and perhaps equal to anything that has appeared on the trotting 

 turf, there can be little doubt. In addition to these, Tanner Boy has 

 a record of 2:22^, and 28 heats in 2:30 and better; Sheridan, 2:23^ 

 and 8 heats; Everett Ray, 2 :25^, and 14 heats; Big Fellow, 2:26;^, and 

 6 heats. Judge Fullerton has made 91 heats in 2:30 or better, 



I may here observe that scarcely anything is known of the blood or 

 qualities of the mares from which any of these really great performers 

 have been bred. It seems to have been the fate of this horse to have 

 been kept in the dark, and bred in the dark, until forced into distinc- 

 tion by the performances of his gelded sons, for such they all seem to 

 be. Moreover, nothing is known, with any degree of reliability, about 



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