BREEDING SUCCESSES OF SIR TATTON SYKES. 131 
simple fact is, the thin ones have to a certain extent been 
training themselves for months before coming into the 
trainers hands; whilst the others, debarred their freedom, 
have had their growth prematurely forced by art, at the 
expense of nature, and are like hothouse plants,—drawn up, 
weak, and slender. This condition, to my mind, is the 
predominant cause of sore shins, which have so much in- 
creased of late years—not only in extent but severity,— 
and can very seldom be got rid of under several months 
and sometimes not for years. This tendency is another and 
powerful reason for buying yearlings brought up in the 
enjoyment of early exercise in extensive paddocks. 
A more striking instance can scarcely be adduced to show 
the truth of the above remarks than the manner in which the 
late Sir Tatton Sykes’s yearlings were brought up in the 
Sledmere paddocks, as I have described in Chapter IX. His 
method is, as I said, the natural way of rearing thoroughbred 
stock; and my opinion is that if Sir Tatton had not kept too 
closely to his own sires, he would in the race for supremacy 
have beaten many of his more fortunate neighbours, who 
sent their mares to different stallions. As it is, he was fairly 
successful ; for in addition to a host of winners, he bred Grey 
Momus (winner of the Two Thousand and Ascot Cup) and 
Black Tommy (second for the Derby). I have myself good 
cause to remember he was also the breeder of St Giles, 
Elcho, Companion, and Greyling, which, with many other 
winners, I was fortunate enough to buy of him. Moreover, / 
to the best of my belief not one of the many scores of year- | 
lings so purchased had a contracted or diseased foot, all 
standing well on their legs, and having substance. Not one 
that I ever remember broke down or had sore shins, And 
whilst this is a most remarkable fact, it is not the only one ; 
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