BREEDING SUCCESSES OF SIR TATTON SYKES. 131 



simple fact is, the thin ones have to a certain extent been 

 training themselves for months before coming into the 

 trainer's hands; whilst the others, debarred their freedom, 

 have had their growth prematurely forced by art, at the 

 expense of nature, and are like hothouse plants, — drawn up, 

 weak, and slender. This condition, to my mind, is the 

 predominant cause of sore shins, which have so much in- 

 creased of late years — not only in extent but severity, — 

 and can very seldom be got rid of under several months 

 and sometimes not for years. This tendency is another and 

 powerful reason for buying yearlings brought up in the 

 enjoyment of early exercise in extensive paddocks. 



A more striking instance can scarcely be adduced to 

 show the truth of the above remarks than the way the late 

 Sir Tatton Sykes's yearlings were brought up in the Sled- 

 mere paddocks, as I have described in Chapter IX. His 

 method is, as I said, the natural way of rearing thoroughbred 

 stock ; and my opinion is that if Sir Tatton had not kept too 

 closely to his own sires, he would in the race for supremacy 

 have beaten many of his more fortunate neighbours, who 

 sent their mares to different stallions. As it is, he was fairly 

 successful ; for in addition to a host of winners, he bred Grey 

 Momiis (winner of the Two Thousand and Ascot Cup) and 

 Black Toniviy (second for the Derby). I have myself good 

 cause to remember he was also the breeder of St. Giles, 

 ElcJio, Companion, and Greyling, which, with many other 

 winners, I was fortunate enough to buy of him. Moreover, 

 to the best of my belief not one of the many scores of year- 

 lings so purchased had a contracted or diseased foot, all 

 standing well on their legs, and with substance. Not one 

 that I ever remember broke down or had sore shins. And 

 whilst this is a most remarkable fact, it is not the only one ; 



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