HORSES 35 



ence, and that is La Fleche, 1889, by St. Simon out 

 of Quiver, tlie property, during: the mare's racing 

 career, of that generous friend of the English peo- 

 ple, and withal great philanthropist, the late Baron 

 de Hirsch. 



It is quite unnecessary for me, in the present 

 work, to recapitulate the splendid achievements of 

 La Fleche, an animal whose performances on the 

 turf, in my judgment, stand out as unsurpassed, if, 

 indeed, equalled, by any other during the present 

 century. In thus writing, I have not overlooked 

 that La Fleche won races at all distances and at 

 all weights; on courses of all gradients, as well as 

 on the level, and when the gi'ound in point of con- 

 dition was as hard as a road, or, deluged with rain, 

 of the deepest kind. There is also the fact that 

 she raced four whole seasons, finally quitting the 

 post for the paddock as sound as the day when she 

 was foaled. 



As a showyard specimen of the thoroughbred, it 

 is to be doubted if La Fleche would have been "com- 

 mended" by judges. Built on the most perfect 

 lines for speed and endurance, it always struck me, 

 when looking her over during her racing career, 

 that her model was as near perfection as one may 

 ever hope to see in a race-horse. She was not what 

 is called a "big one," but the colossal strength of 

 her b^ck was most remarkable, while the getting of 



