A RANCHMAN'S RECOLLECTIONS 



including one-half and quarter-mile training tracks 

 under roof. Horses were bred and trained in that 

 high, rare atmosphere, giving them lung power and 

 endurance over animals raised at lower levels. It 

 was said of Mr. Daly that he knew the mark of 

 every Thoroughbred racehorse in England or Amer- 

 ica. He loved the breeding and training ends, equally 

 with the racing end, and directed his own breeding, 

 in connection with the counsel of experts. His 

 great ambition was to win the English Derby. I 

 recall once that in talking with him about breeding 

 he said, "I want to breed a Derby winner. It is 

 like shooting at the moon, but the fellow who does 

 not shoot has no chance of hitting." He bred some 

 great ones, but, as I recall it, never won the Derby. 

 I have read many stories about Marcus Daly, 

 which have referred to him as uneducated and un- 

 couth. That is far from my own impression of the 

 man. He probably had but little actual schooling, 

 but he was rich in the education and polish that 

 come of contact. It was my good fortune to spend 

 a number of evenings with Mr. Daly and his friends. 

 On several of these occasions he became reminiscent, 

 holding his hearers spell-bound under a flow of 

 beautiful English, punctuated with rich Irish wit, 

 thrilling adventure, some touches of pathos, and 

 occasional approaches to the dramatic. I recall 

 especially his account of an early-day wagon trail, 

 and have always regretted my not having repro- 



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