174 CANADIAN TURF RECOLLECTIONS 



the superlative test of merit by securing fast records. 

 His first crop of colts produced Violet, two-year-old rec- 

 ord to high- wheel sulky, 2.3114 ; the second produced Wild 

 Crocus, two-year-old record, 2.25%, and each year after- 

 wards added to his success as a uniform sire of speed 

 with native mares. What he could have accomplished if 

 mated with better bred mares can be judged from the 

 fact that to a granddaughter of Red Wilkes he produced 

 General Brino, 2.O714, and to a daughter of Red Wilkes, 

 Major Brino, 2.05i4j ; but not only has he proved himself 

 a remarkable sire of speed, but the superior style and 

 quality of his get have also secured for him high honors 

 in the prize ring altogether outside of their speed quali- 

 fications. Again, in transmitting speed he also imparted 

 that stamina and endurance which stand the test of 

 long drawn out races — in a word, the blood that sticks. 



Many of his sons are also distinguishing themselves in 

 the breeding ranks, and altogether it is within the mark 

 to say that Wildbrino is one of the greatest standard- 

 bred sires ever brought to this country. It would be 

 interesting, if one had the time to make the neces- 

 sary enquiries, to figure out the actual cash value 

 of his descendants. I do not mean by attaching fancy 

 figures to any of his produce, but by recording the prices 

 which were paid for the most noted of his get. It is by 

 such substantial tests as these that the true value to a 

 country of well-bred stock is made evident. Yearlings 

 and two-year-olds by Wildbrino were eagerly bought at 

 prices ranging from $200 to $1,000, and in several cases 

 of exceptional merit even larger figures were offered. 



Now, as it costs no more to feed a well-bred one than 

 it does to raise a mongrel bred, it is not necessary to 

 advance any argument to prove the immense benefit, not 

 only to the breeder of such stock, but also to the country 

 in which it is produced. Again, there is nothing of the 

 lottery game about such breeding industry. True, a 

 farmer may not secure exceptional speed, but if he exer- 

 cises a fair amount of common sense judgment in select- 

 ing good-looking, sound mares and breeding them to a 



