170 The American Tboroiigbbred 



with an accident, we question not but that both 

 would have won laurels on the race-course, and 

 possibly would have failed to make reputations 

 as brood-mares. These facts do not stamp the 

 turf as an agency injurious to horseflesh ; but 

 they impress upon us the importance of practis- 

 ing moderation in racing, as we are required to 

 be moderate in all things. 



Whether or not any one of the sixty thousand 

 people who thronged the Union Course on the 

 day that Henry was pitted against Eclipse, in the 

 hour of wild excitement, saw visions of future 

 greatness through the union of the blood of the 

 two champions, it would be idle to guess. But 

 the currents did flow together, and the result was 

 a marvel named Black Maria. This mare was 

 bred by Henry Hall of Harlem, New York, 

 and was foaled June 15, 1826. She was got by 

 American Eclipse, and her dam was the cele- 

 brated Lady Lightfoot by Sir Archy; and Sir 

 Archy, the reader will not forget, was the sire of 

 Henry. 



Two days after Black Maria opened her young 

 eyes upon this fair earth she was left motherless, 

 Lady Lightfoot dying from the effects of a vio- 

 lent cold. The handsome black filly developed 



