260 STAR-HAMBLETONIANS. 



supreme in future combinations, simply depends on the question of 

 reinforcements. If the Henry blood receives any, even very small, 

 augmentation, from in-breeding or otherwise, it will certainly come 

 out ahead. 



As it is clearly my belief that the dam of Everett was a mare of 

 Henry blood, if I be asked for my opinion as to why Everett has been 

 more successful than all the Star-Hambletonian stallions combined, I 

 answer, that the blood of Henry in the Star cross being reinforced by 

 its kindred Diomed blood in the Duroc strain, gave it more absolute 

 sway. And, furthermore, the reason Avhy the Star cross found such a 

 happy nick for trotting purposes with that of Hambletonian, was on 

 account of the overpowering reinforcement of Messenger blood, aug- 

 mented by its kindred strains of Bellfounder, concentrated in the Old 

 Imperial. And from this point, thus gained, I would teach the lesson 

 derived from this most interesting subject: My advice is, take your 

 Star and Hambletonian-Star mares to Volunteer and Middletown, 

 Wilkes and Administrator, Florida and Kickerbocker, and take your 

 mares by these stallions to Startle and Leland, Jay Gould and Aber- 

 deen; but do not take Star to Star. As Henry was the dynamite that 

 propelled the charge, and Messenger and Duroc the gun of long range 

 and steady aim that directed the shot, beware lest the dynamite over- 

 power your artillery; for in such a case you know not in what direc- 

 tion the force of the explosive may be expended. Bear in mind that 

 while, in the first great contest, Henry came within one of beating the 

 Duroc Messenger, there were many who thought he could beat him 

 easily if he tried again. In my opinion, if the trial be continued, the 

 triumph may be on that side. The Henry blood is only a trotting 

 element when held in proper subjection by that of Messenger and 

 Bellfounder. 



Seely's American Star lived to the age of twenty-four years and 

 died fifteen years before the death of Hambletonian, so that it may be 

 almost said he belonged to a period or generation anterior to that of 

 Hambletonian. He numbers to-day eight lineal descendants in the 

 2:30 list — two of which were his own produce, and six by sons, but 

 not a single 2:30 trotter by a grandson. The trotting quality did 

 not seem to retain the power to maintain its supremacy beyond two 

 generations. The once depreciated Clay family continue to bring out 

 trotters in 2:25 in the fourth generation from Henry Clay, and in the 

 sixth from young Bashaw, the founder of the family. 



