ARGENTINE BREEDING STUDS 167 



the banks were closed. Having a credit at one of 

 these banks, and only about $ in cash left after the 

 voyage, I did not feel comfortable, but I soon met 

 good friends, the late Mr William Samson, owner of 

 many good horses out there, and Mr James Harmer 

 Getting, with whom I have been associated ever since. 

 He is one of the oldest members of the Jockey Club, of 

 which I had already been made a temporary member, 

 and having been installed at the Grand Hotel, I was 

 soon in perfect comfort, for the banks reopened in the 

 afternoon and there was no more anxiety about money. 



It was then that I first saw racing at Palermo and 

 one or two of the Argentine breeding studs. It was 

 all very pleasant and instructive, and made one wish 

 for further visits to the country. 



I have paid such visits many times since on the 

 poor old Amazon, which was sunk in the war, the 

 Avon, the Aragon, the Asturias, the Almanzora and 

 the Andes on some of them more than once with the 

 late Captains Spooner and Doughty, the still flourish- 

 ing and inimitable Captain Dix, Captain Collins, Captain 

 Mason and others, and I have had ample opportunity 

 to appreciate the value of the British thoroughbred as 

 a friendly pioneer in that great country, where no money 

 has been spared in buying the best possible stallions, 

 such as Diamond Jubliee, Jardy, Val d'Or, Cyllene, 

 Polar Star, Your Majesty, Craganour, and, best of all, 

 Tracery and his son, The Panther. 



I remember the earlier period of Argentine importa- 

 tions before the financial crisis stopped such business 

 for a good many years, and in those days Mr W. 

 Kemmis took out Whipper In, while Gay Hermit and 

 St Mirin were also imported, the latter to the San 



