238 Making the American Thoroughbred 



into competition with the most remarkable man of the 

 age and country in which he lived. Of course I mean 

 Andrew Jackson, who for 20 years stood at the head of 

 the turf. 1 In subsequent numbers I will give some ac- 

 count of the competition between them, in which accounts 

 will be brought to light some of the most interesting occur- 

 rences of the Tennessee Turf. 



1 NOTE BY J. D. A. By way of introduction to Gen. Jackson's 

 sketch of Truxton, copied from The American Farmer of 1829 into 

 The Turf Register, December number, 1833, Editor Skinner of the 

 Register said: 



"General Washington and General Jackson are examples of the 

 fondness that great military men have generally entertained for the 

 horse and the sports of the turf. Though equally bold and graceful 

 riders in the field, General Jackson was most successful on the 

 course. The racing annals of the West record his numerous victo- 

 ries; and according to the anecdotes which are told of him, he some- 

 times intimidated his adversaries by the boldness of defiance, where 

 he might not have won by the speed or bottom of his horse. He 

 owned some of the finest racers of his day: Pacolet, Doublehead, Trux- 

 ton, the Opossum filly. And it has been said, that though many 

 horses were taken from the South, in the full assurance of over- 

 matching him, he was never beaten in a match on his own ground. 

 Of all the horses that won distinction under his management, the 

 unrivalled Truxton is believed to have been his favorite: Alexander 

 was not more attached to Bucephalus. His system of training was 

 severe, pulling his horse to incredible hard work where his constitu- 

 tion would bear, and his condition demand it." 



