The usual December sales were held at Newmarket, by Messrs. Tattersall, from Monday, the 4th, to Friday, the 8th December. The attendance was good and business throughout brisk; the total realised during the week being close upon £110,000.
The highest price obtained, on Tuesday, was 7,500 gs., paid for Delaunay, who goes to France, being purchased for M. de St. Alary from Sir James Miller. M. F. Brugmann bought Roquebrune, dam of Rock Sand, for 4,500 gs., and she goes to Belgium; Mr. Simons Harrison gave 2,500 gs. for La Sagasse from the same owner. Mr. Basil Hanbury’s Desinvolture made 1,000 gs.; from Mr. R. H. Henning’s lot Sir E. Cassel bought Xeny for 1,650 gs., and the Marquis of Serramezzana secured Best Light at 1,000 gs.
On Wednesday the Duke of Devonshire purchased the St. Simon mare Grand Prix at 3,000 gs.; Count Lehndorff took Flor Fina at 1,300 gs., and Ladyland at 1,000 gs., both from Mr. Simons Harrison’s contingent. Mr. Cleary gave 1,250 gs. for Refusal, by Bendor; Mr. W. B. Purefoy’s Nausicaa went to Sir E. Cassel at 1,000 gs. On the following day Mr. Cheri-Halbroun was a considerable purchaser, and he secured Lord Clonmell’s Galopin mare Dainty, at 2,000 gs., Sir R. Waldie Griffith’s Vittel, 850 gs., Mr. J. B. Joel’s Yola, 720 gs., and a number of others. Lord Clonmell gave 650 gs. for Mr. W. M. G. Singer’s Ladasia, and Sir P. Walker took Therapia from Mr. J. G. Baird Hay at 650 gs. The best prices obtained for the Duke of Portland’s were 880 gs. for Flete, Mr. Gurry, and 710 gs. for Raeburn, Baron Harkanyi. On the concluding day Sir E. Cassel sold Love Charm, Exchequer, and April Morn, each making 500 gs.; Mr. James Joicey’s Orpheus obtaining the same figure.
While hunting with the Atherstone from Newbold Revel Park, on December 8th, Colonel Worsley Worswick, of Normanton Hall, Hinckley, had a bad fall and succumbed to the injuries received on the following morning. It appears the horse fell at a stiff fence. The deceased was very popular in the country, and as a tribute of respect hunting was suspended for a week.
Mr. Alfred A. Stokes, Hon. Secretary to the Ledbury Hunt, died at his residence, The White House, Pauntley, Newent, on December 10th, at the age of 67.
The huntsman to the Bexhill Harriers, Carey Witherden, has been the recipient of a testimonial in recognition of his services with the pack during a period of nineteen years and under seven masterships.
As a result of injuries received while out hunting with the Essex Union Hunt six days previously, Mr. Albert E. Clear, of Maldon, died on December 13th. Mr. Clear was well known as a breeder and exhibitor of wire-haired fox-terriers.
The list of winning owners during the past season is for the first time headed by Colonel W. Hall Walker, M.P., whose six horses have secured stakes to the value of £23,687. Lord Derby occupies second position with £18,524; the next best being Mr. S. B. Joel with £17,944.
We regret to record the death of Mr. E. D. Brickwood, which occurred in London on December 14th, in his sixty-eighth year. The deceased gentleman, who was a brilliant oarsman in the late ’fifties and early ’sixties, was a well-known writer, and for forty years had editorial charge of the rowing department of the Field.
The famous stallion Diamond Jubilee, bred by and the property of H.M. the King, has been sold to the well-known Argentine breeder, Senor Ignacio Correas, at a high price, 30,000 guineas being stated as the figure. Foaled in March, 1897, Diamond Jubilee is by St. Simon, dam Perdita II.; in 1900 he won the Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, and St. Leger.