684 



A HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH TURF. 



was sold to France, where he sired La Camargo, the only mare across the Channel, 

 except Kincsem, who can be compared with Sceptre. Sir Blundell bought Royal 

 Hampton from Mr. William Blenkiron's famous Middle Park Stud, who has been the 

 sire of such good ones as Court Ball, Kirkconnel, Marriott, Omladina, Forfarshire, 

 Prince Hampton, Royal Lancer, Girt on Girl, and Queen's Holiday. He was by 

 Hampton, son of Lord Clifden and sire of the three Derby winners, Ayrshire, 

 Ladas, and Merry Hampton. But of course the most famous of the stallions at 

 the great Childwick Stud Farm, near St. Albans, one of the biggest racing 

 establishments in the world, was Common, who has not yet done all at the stud 

 that his Turf record and his splendid conformation might have led his purchaser 



to expect, but is already 

 the sire of Osbech, Nun 

 Nicer, Barn Dance, 

 Claret, Cottager, Compli- 

 ment, Aliwal, The Bis/top, 

 Simony, Newsboy, and 

 others. Among other 

 good horses owned and 

 raced by Sir Blundell 

 were Saraband, Siffleuse 

 (One Thousand), Bal- 

 moral, Priestess, Minting 

 Queen, Kirkconnel (Two 

 Thousand), Simons Bay, 

 The Owl, A r deer, Cossack, 

 that splendid-looking animal Lord Bobs, and Mackintosh, one of the best of 

 Florizel II. 's wonderful first year's produce. His magnificent stud farm under 

 the control of Alec Waugh, was but one evidence of Sir Blundell's whole-souled 

 devotion to the thoroughbred, and to the best interests of the English Turf 

 and of his country. After nineteen years, he headed the winning owners in 1901, 

 with forty-four horses in training, and ^21,370 as the result of his fifty-three 

 victories, which brought his record up to ,154,000 in 420 races at that date. 

 His conscientiousness may be judged from the reply he sent to an offer from Vienna 

 of ^"21,000 within a week after he had purchased Isonomys son for ,15,000: 

 "Thanks for offer. The English Turf requires Commons services. Money will not 



Mr. Hugh Owen at the starting-gate 



