222 The American Thoroughbred 



the whole racing world for almost a hundred 

 years. There is not a land under the sun which 

 .gives the slightest attention to the thoroughbred 

 where Kentucky is not more or less known. 

 The fame of the old Blue Grass State stretches 

 to the limit of human loves for good horses. 



While Kentucky was yet a part of Virginia, its 

 population seems to have brought with them a 

 passion for fine horses, which has grown with 

 their growth. As early as 1795 (two years only 

 after Kentucky had set up on its own account) 

 there were many extensive studs of fine horses. 

 Among others, Mr. Hubbard Taylor and Colonel 

 Abraham Buford had very large studs of blooded 

 horses; and in 1806, at the sale of John Brecken- 

 ridge, not much short of two hundred mares, 

 fillies, and colts of pure blood were dispersed to 

 different purchasers. There were many other 

 breeders on a smaller scale, both then and after- 

 ward, scattered through the state ; and the bred 

 stallions from Europe and the east and south of 

 America here found their most profitable market 

 and propagated by far their most numerous 

 stocks. Buzzard, Royalist, Dragon, Speculator, 

 Spread Eagle, Forester, Alderman, Eagle, Pre- 

 tender, Touchstone, Archer, and many others of 



