SALE OF BLAIR ATHOL 119 



wonderfully good purchase by Mr Blenkiron was the 

 famous mare Woodbine, by Stockwell out of Honeysuckle, 

 covered by Thormanby, for 650 guineas. Her filly foal 

 by Thormanby was knocked down for 310 guineas to 

 Mr Chirnside, but never left England, for it was Feronia. 

 When it came to the stallions, Mr Blenkiron, who had 

 dominated the position so far, would not be denied over 

 Blair Athol, in whom he had an intense belief. The bid- 

 ding seemed extraordinary then, and there was a gasp of 

 amazement when the best of Stockwell's sons was knocked 

 down for 5000 guineas. I thought it wonderful even 

 for Blair Athol ; whereas now, what a trifling price it 

 would seem ! Needless to say, this sight inspired in me 

 further zeal for the future of the great horse with 

 whom it was my destiny to be a good deal mixed up 

 in after years. At that time, however, the sale of him 

 was a function which inspired in me feelings almost 

 of awe, and yet thankfulness that I had been there to 

 see it. 



The dark mottled brown Neptunus followed Blair 

 Athol into the ring, and a good sort of horse he was, but 

 the contrast was too severe and Lord Wenlock bought him 

 for 360 guineas. 



Mr Arrowsmith and I went back to Thirsk greatly 

 edified by the happenings at that sale, the total result 

 of which was over 22,000 guineas. 



More than once since then have I seen the Fairfield 

 stud, when the late Mr R. C. Vyner had Minting and other 

 horses there, and the box and yard built for Blair Athol 

 had been little if at all altered, but the glory of the place 

 seemed to have departed when Blair Athol was sold on 

 that day in September, 1868, and Mr Vyner was never so 

 successful as his careful study of breeding entitled him 

 to be. 



Count Szapary, whom I have mentioned as bidding at 

 that Fairfield sale, was, I almost think, Count Ivan 

 Szapary, who once rode in the Grand National and is 

 known to all English and Irish breeders of bloodstock. 



