STUDS THAT HAVE CEASED 221 



Major James Platt, who about that time took over 

 the Howbury Stud, and wrote that he desired to be 

 addressed in future as " Major " yeomanry rank, I 

 believe did not remain there very long, but migrated 

 to Suffolk, where also he continued to breed high-class 

 yearlings, as well he might, for he had such mares as 

 Lonely, St Marguerite, Mary Seaton, and others of 

 that class ; but he came to the conclusion that the game 

 did not pay, and therefore sold off his stock and settled 

 for a while in Yorkshire. 



Another vanished stud which was of some importance 

 was run by Mr Ralph Sneyd at Keele Park in Staffs. 

 Blue Green was the principal stallion, and there were 

 many good mares, one of the best being Lady Villikins. 

 The first time I ever met Mr Rouch, whose horse photo- 

 graphs are known all over the world, was when I was 

 just arriving at this stud and he, in company with 

 Mr Boothby, Mr Sneyd's agent, had just completed a 

 series of photographs of the yearlings and had stowed 

 all his paraphernalia in the pony-trap which was close 

 by, in the middle of the paddock. Whether my driving 

 up alarmed the pony, or whether there was some more 

 sufficient cause, I don't know, but it took fright, broke 

 away and ended by smashing the trap and all Mr 

 Rouch's photographs. Such was my first introduction 

 not a very favourable one. 



Mr Sneyd, some years later, decided to sell all his 

 mares in France, and I was fortunate enough to secure 

 Lady Villikins then sixteen years old, but almost due 

 to foal to St Angelo for 400 guineas. M. Edmond 

 Blanc, who was present, let me have a Flying Fox 

 nomination for 400 guineas, and the mare had only 

 a few miles to go to his stud. Arrived there, she 



