175 



quite as well pleased to have afforded sport, as to have carried off a 

 purse. 



Col. Spann, as next in order, and closely connected by marriage with 

 Col. Richardson, was at one time a steady supporter of the Carolina 

 Turf; but for the last few years of his life he trained but very few horses. 

 He died in 1841. In fact, since he had the handling of some of his 

 lamented father-in-law's stock, (Col. Richardson,) the tide of fortune 

 seemed to have set against his stables. He bred the celebrated Bertrand 

 by Sir x\rchy, out of Eliza by Bedford, all things considered, both as to 

 his performances whilst on the Tnrf and his get, as distinguished as any 

 native stallion of the present century. He has certainly contrived to 

 get as many winners out of all sorts of mares, as any other horse con- 

 temporary with him ; Bascombe, Bill Austen, Bertrand, Jr., Rattlesnake, 

 and many others too numerous to mention. 



In speaking of this very remarkable horse, I cannot omit mentioning 

 one great peculiarity of his running — a quality of inestimable value, 

 and which testified in an especial manner his great game and endur- 

 ance. I allude to his power of recovering himself in a long race, after 

 being apparently dead beat. He could make more quarter, brushes in 

 a 4 mile heat than any horse I ever saw severely pressed in a race. It 

 was only necessary for his jockey, whenever he felt him weakening, to 

 take a strong pull upon him for a few jumps, to find him not wanting^ 

 as soon as called upon again. Without this invincible pluck, he never 

 could have beaten Mr. Davenport's Aratus by Director, full brother to 

 Virginian, out of a Sir Harry mare, half sister to Timoleon, in the style 

 he did at Charleston i)i 1826, a fourth heat of 3 miles. There were 

 three entries — Bertrand, Aratus and Creeping Kate, a very fast thing by 

 Sir Archy. Bertrand, as a 5 year old, carried 112 lbs. ; Aratus, 5 years 

 old, 112 lbs. ; and Creeping Kate, of the same age, 109 lbs., (allowed as 

 a mare 3 lbs.) 



It is proper to record here as a part of the history of the South Caro- 

 lina Turf, and one of its greatest achievements, that Bertrand contended 

 for every heat] first with Aratus, Creeping Kate just saving her dis- 

 tance, and Aratus winning the heat. In the 2d heat. Creeping Kate 

 was the contending nag against Bertrand, Kate at the termination of the 

 heat showing a wonderful turn of speed, and winning it only by a length. 

 In the 3d heat, Bertrand went off" at the top of his speed, closely fol- 

 lowed by Creeping Kate, Aratus evidently holding back for the next 

 heat. Bertrand won this heat by a neck from Creeping Kate. In the 

 4th heat. Creeping Kate being withdrawn, Bertrand and Aratus ran a 

 match race. Aratus took the lead and kept it the first round ; they 



