8 RACEHORSES IN AUSTRALIA 



Wales, I have much pleasure in confirming the representation of my 

 cousin. Captain Browne, relative to his performance and character; 

 indeed, I can go much farther, in consequence of what has occurred since 

 his statement was made. Every one of Skeleton's brothers have since 

 distinguished themselves in the highest degree, so much so that, when I 

 wished to purchase another brother on account of my knowledge of the 

 good qualities of two former ones, I was asked 500 guineas for him, 

 though only a yearling. One of his brothers (not the same) was since 

 sold for 700 guineas, a three-year-old, and that in Ireland, where money 

 is scarce. 



"My conviction is that, had he been fairly treated by my trainer, he 

 would have found himself one of the best horses in England. Indeed, 

 his public as well as his private trials warrant me in saying so. The proof 

 of my opinion was my seeking to re-purchase his sire (Master Robert), 

 and purchasing his brother. 



"Were Skeleton now in this country, I would not hesitate to adopt 

 him into my stud, which is pretty numerous and of some value, as may 

 be proved by my selling last year a two-year-old, Fang, a relative, too, of 

 Skeleton, for the enormous sum of 3,300 guineas money, and con- 

 tingencies worth at market 500 more, making by £100 the greatest price 

 ever given for a two-year-old. Mr. Western's opinion of him is, I think, 

 quite correct, and I know no stallion more likely to effect an important 

 improvement in the breed of horses in Australia." 



"(Signed) SLIGO." 



You see what an alteration in values has taken place during the ninety 

 years since the Marquis penned these lines. Three thousand guineas was an 

 "enormous sum" for a horse, and seven hundred a great price for a three-year- 

 old in Ireland, "where money is scarce." Times have changed, indeed, with 

 a vengeance. The Captain Browne mentioned in the letter was the father 

 of our very familiar old friend, Rolf Boldrewood, and Skeleton has left 

 behind him a deep mark in the Malvolio and Woorak family, through Madcap, 

 Giovani, Lady Laurestina, and finally Latona, by Skeleton out of Miss Lane. 



Chapter IV. 



The Foundation Stallions of Australia. 



All told, there were forty-seven blood stallions imported into Australia 

 between the beginning of things and the end of 1838, and, considering what 

 state the world had been in, politically and socially, during a great part of 

 that period, and remembering the weary length of the voyage, the risk of 

 capture by the French, and all the dangers incident to a sea voyage of some 

 twelve thousand miles in small vessels, ships which could only be described as 

 cockleshells, we did not do so very badly after all. It is interesting, and 

 valuable, too, to mark the chronological order of the advent of such of these 

 as have left a name behind them, in spite of the great gulf of time and all the 

 tremendous events which have taken place on the earth since their brief day. 



