3-021-168 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Group of yearlings at Mr. Blenkiron's sale, Middle Park, Eltham, Kent, 1868. Sale of racehorses. 'The two animals shown in front of the group are, the chestnut colt, by Ely out of July, and the chestnut filly, Sister to Hermit, by Newminster out of Seclusion. Behind the former is the chestnut filly, sold with him, by Thormanby out of Queen of the East; and behind her is seen the head of the Caractacus grey colt. The bay colt to the right hand, immediately behind the sister of Hermit, and standing in an opposite direction, is the brother to Friponnier, by Chevalier d'Industrie out of Tension. The other, carrying his head so high, is the bay colt by King John out of Elspeth...Year after year those who claim to be most learned make the most fearful mistakes, and find to their surprise that there is no royal road to the science of yearling selection, and that picking a winner is neither more nor less than patting your hand into a bag of figured marbles. However, a goodly list of winners hail from Middle Park, and owners may well be found year after year at its ring-side...Messrs. Tattersalls' sale ring is in the meadow before the house'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.