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LACKWOOD is a black stallion, 15} hands, 

 with a small star and one white ankle. He is 

 by Alexander's Norman (sire of Lula and May 

 Queen), dam by Mambrino Chief, grandam a 

 superior road mare of unknown pedigree. He was bred by 

 Mr. D. Swigert, of Spring Station, Woodford County, Ky., 

 at the celebrated breeding establishment known as Wood- 

 burn Farm, owned by the late Mr. R. A. Alexander. The 

 mare, while with foal, was sold at auction for a mere song 

 to a speculator in Lexington, in 1865, who re-sold her to 

 Mr. Andrew Steel, he never dreaming of the embryo prize 

 he had secured. In the spring of 1866, the mare produced 

 the now justly-celebrated Blackwood, but who, when born, 

 was looked upon as of nominal value. When a yearling, 

 he developed a good saddle gait, and was offered by Mr. 

 Steel to a country lad for $150, but his father would not 

 allow the purchase to be consummated. Mr. Steel, much 

 to his chagrin, seemed compelled to keep the horse, but 

 shortly after sold a half interest in him to Mr. Henry 

 Buford, who put him in training, and quickly discovered 

 that he had a great prize. His speed developed so rapidly 

 that it attracted attention, and he was allowed to serve a 

 few mares. In 1869 he made a short season, and in the 

 fall of that year he won his first three-year-old race, making 

 a record of 2:31, the fastest then known, and at once leaped 

 into fame. Shortly after this race, negotiations were entered 

 into for the sale of the now noted horse, and, it is said, 

 $25,000 was offered for him. Mr. Buford wished to sell, 

 but Mr. Steel, whose eyes were now wide open, positively 

 refused to part with his discovered treasure. A compromise 

 was agreed to between the two, and Mr. Steel purchased 

 back Mr. Buford's half interest, valued at $12,500. The 

 horse was then sent to Edge Hill, where Colonel West, by 

 judicious handling, increased his speed very much. The 

 Colonel sold him eventually to Mr. Harrison Durkee, of 



New York City, proprietor of Spring Hill Stock Farm, his 

 present owner. Blackwood is of striking and commanding 

 appearance, giving the impression, when in harness, that 

 he is very much larger than he really is. His carriage is 

 attractive, and though not finely drawn, yet he is by no 

 means coarse. His head is somewhat plain, quite wide 

 between the eyes, with a countenance full of intelligence 

 and cheerful resolution. His neck is longer than is usual 

 with fast trotters, shoulders deep, strong and well laid back, 

 being very broad at the withers. His back and loins are 

 strong, and suggestive of great power; smooth hipped, of 

 medium width across, with full quarters and well-developed 

 gaskins. His hocks are full size, clean and well-defined; 

 his legs are massive, full-boned and well-jointed. In action 

 he is particularly noticeable for his courageous freedom of 

 stride, which is far-reaching, and presents a perfect picture 

 of equine beauty never surpassed. Taken all in all, Black- 

 wood is about as perfect a specimen of horseflesh as any 

 one would wish to see. In the stud Blackwood has achieved 

 conspicuous honor, his get having met with remarkable 

 success. Among the most noted of his get we find Black- 

 wood, Jr., with a three-year-old record of 2:33J, and one 

 as a five-year-old, of 2:22}. Rosewood, out of a Mambrino 

 mare, with a record as a five-year-old of 2:27 ; Freshman, 

 out of a Ned Forrest mare, with a four-year-old record of 

 2:36}; Blackwood Belle, three-year-old, record 2:46 J; Pro- 

 teine, who, as a yearling, trotted in 3:23J 3:23|, the fastest 

 record at that time, and, as a three-year-old, under most 

 adverse conditions, trotted a three-heat trial, doing her last 

 mile in 2:33J. Blackwood is unquestionably the represen- 

 tative stallion of the Norman family, which, in the face 

 of the greatest disadvantages, by its own inherent merit, 

 unaided by time-honored crosses, has forced itself into a 

 prominence secured to no other known stallion. Spirit of 

 the Times. 



