IO4 Making the American Thoroughbred 



Neither Sir Richard Tonson nor Champion, "although 

 each bantered and ran against the world," was ever beat; 

 and Henry, but for his injury, was considered their equal. 

 Champion is said to have been sold for $3,000 before he 

 ever ran a race 1 and in 1831 he was held at $10,000. 

 "Richard," said Judge Williams, "was the most beautiful 

 horse that could be led into a show room." 



In the Tonson brothers were united the crosses of Citi- 

 zen, Medley and Bedford, and being of different types, 

 also, from the Archy stock, their blood was much sought 

 to mingle with that of the descendants of Diomed. In 

 1833 Col. W. R. Johnson, who owned many mares of the 

 Archy and Eclipse stock, paid $10,000 for Mons. Tonson 

 to use as a sire. 



Among Mons. Tonson's distinguished get that joined the 

 stallion class were Anvil who was brought to Sumner 

 County, Drone (sold for $5,000) who stood in Virginia, 

 Governor Burton who stood in South Carolina and 

 Rhoderick Dhu who stood in North Carolina. All four 

 of these horses were grandsons of Sir Archy, the first two 

 out of Isabella, the last two out of Lady Burton. Argyle, 

 another son, started 18 times, won n, five of them 4- 

 mile and two 3-mile heats. Champion was destroyed by 

 disease; Richard died young but left some fine stock; 

 Henry was a great success in the stud. 



BETSEY MALONE, next in point of time, was the. most 

 distinguished product of Sumner County. Of her Wallace 

 says: "Foaled 1829; got by Stockholder dam by Potomac 

 g. dam by imp Diomed. Nothing more is known with 

 certainty of the blood of this wonderful animal, but her 

 performances on the turf at all distances and her produce 

 in the stud, entitle her to a very high place in the true horse 



1 Peyton says he was sold at this price while at the head of the 

 turf. 



