296 CLAY HAMBLETONIANS. 



brought do\vn and reproduced in the son. "When compared with 

 Hambletonian the most casual observer must be able to see that his 

 dam had a great share in moulding his form and general conformation. 

 He has the finest muscular organization to be found among the sons of 

 Hambletonian, and over the back, loin, hips and quarters he is truly 

 magnificent. 



His temper is not quite so kind as that of his sire, and he does 

 not tolerate any familiarity from strangers. He has the appearance 

 of a small horse of intense compactness, and of the highest degree of 

 quality. All recognize his superiority at first sight. 



As a trotter, George Wilkes was one of the earliest contributors to 

 the fame of the Hambletonian family. As early as 1862, he appeared 

 against such a veteran as Gen. Butler, in a race which the latter 

 won in 2:21^. He trotted against Commodore Vanderbilt, Lady 

 Thorn, Rhode Island, Confidence, Draco Prince, Fearnaught, Geo. 

 M. Patchen Jr., Mambrino Prince, Lucy, and American Girl, and 

 attained a record of 2:22, having trotted fifty-six heats in 2:30 or 

 better — more than any other son or daughter of Hambletonian, and 

 more than three times as many as Dexter. Only four of the sons or 

 daughters of Hambletonian have equaled the time record of Wilkes. 

 He left the race course in the best of condition, and at a late period 

 began a successful career in the stud. The most of his produce are 

 yet too young to fully attest his merits as a sire. 



He has, however, a showing which no other stallion 60 fast as he was 

 can exhibit. He is sire of May Bird, a black mare that has a record 

 of 2:21, and has 69 heats in 2:30 or better. Young Wilkes, a stallion 

 now doing service, has a record of 2:29, with five heats. He also pro- 

 duced Girlie, that won the stake for three-year-olds. He has been 

 at Lexington, Kentucky, for several years, and receives a liberal 

 patronage, and will undoubtedly leave a produce that will still do 

 honor to the name of George Wilkes and the family of Hamble- 

 tonian. 



nis SONS. 



He has two sons that are doing service as stallions. Young Wilkes 

 and Robert Fillingham Jr., the former now owned in Chicago, and 

 the latter in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. 



KNICKERBOCKER 



was foaled in 18G5, by Hambletonian, 1st dam by George M. Patchen, 

 2d dam by Abdallah, and 3d dam by May Day. George M. Patchen 



