Clay Trotting Horses
Encyclopedia
Clay trotting horses were an American strain of trotting horse during the 19th century that is no longer existent.
acquired a stallion named Grand Bashaw. Grand Bashaw was the sire of Young Bashaw, who in turn sired Andrew Jackson, which became noted as a trotting racehorse
. From a mare named Old Surrey or Lady Surrey, Andrew Jackson sired Henry Clay, who became the foundation sire of the Clay strain.
The Smithsonian says this about him:
The Clays were recognized as a family of trotting horses in the mid-19th century, through to the end of the century. By the end of the century, however, it had almost become extinct, through breeding to other strains. Sometimes they were referred to the Bashaw strain.
Among his descendants was a trotting horse stallion named Cassius Clay. Randolph Huntington, a horse breeder, noticed after the American Civil War
that Clays were becoming increasingly rare.
Writing to a friend on Nov. 2, 1888, Huntington said,
, who was traveling in modern-day Turkey, was given two stallions by Abdul Hamid II
, the Sultan
of the Ottoman Empire
. These two horses were Linden Tree, a Barb and Leopard, an Arabian
.
Randolph Huntingdon bred a number of Clay trotting mares to Grant's two stallions, and used the resulting foals in his breeding program, which he called "Clay horses" or "Clay-Arabs".
The following quotation is also taken from the Oyster Bay Pilot:
Early years
In 1818 Richard B. Jones, the American Consul in TripoliTripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
acquired a stallion named Grand Bashaw. Grand Bashaw was the sire of Young Bashaw, who in turn sired Andrew Jackson, which became noted as a trotting racehorse
Harness racing
Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait . They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle is also conducted in Europe.-Breeds:...
. From a mare named Old Surrey or Lady Surrey, Andrew Jackson sired Henry Clay, who became the foundation sire of the Clay strain.
The Smithsonian says this about him:
Old Henry Clay, often called "America's National Thoroughbred Trotting Horse" or "Father of American Trotting Horses", was foaled on Long Island in 1837 and purchased by Colonel William W. Wadsworth of Seneso, Livingston County, New York. When his days as a famous trotting horse were over, he was used for breeding and finally died at Lodi, New YorkLodi, New YorkLodi, New York may refer to:* Lodi , New York* Lodi , New York...
in the spring of 1867. In life the horse stood 15 1/4 hands high (61 inches).
The Clays were recognized as a family of trotting horses in the mid-19th century, through to the end of the century. By the end of the century, however, it had almost become extinct, through breeding to other strains. Sometimes they were referred to the Bashaw strain.
Among his descendants was a trotting horse stallion named Cassius Clay. Randolph Huntington, a horse breeder, noticed after the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
that Clays were becoming increasingly rare.
Writing to a friend on Nov. 2, 1888, Huntington said,
"I know the horse [Henry Clay] thoroughly well and also his get. Residing in Brooklyn I knew also the horses there and on Long Island ... practical experience in handling and driving as a young man, as a matured man and as a dealer during and after the [Civil] war, I found my opinions in favor of the blood advocated. My investment was between $40,000 and $50,000."
Linden Tree and Leopard
In 1877, Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
, who was traveling in modern-day Turkey, was given two stallions by Abdul Hamid II
Abdul Hamid II
His Imperial Majesty, The Sultan Abdülhamid II, Emperor of the Ottomans, Caliph of the Faithful was the 34th sultan of the Ottoman Empire...
, the Sultan
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
of the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. These two horses were Linden Tree, a Barb and Leopard, an Arabian
Arabian horse
The Arabian or Arab horse is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses...
.
Randolph Huntingdon bred a number of Clay trotting mares to Grant's two stallions, and used the resulting foals in his breeding program, which he called "Clay horses" or "Clay-Arabs".
The following quotation is also taken from the Oyster Bay Pilot:
We have the effort of Mr. Randolph Huntington to establish a type by mixing the blood of General Grant's Arab stallions with the mares of the Clay family. It will be recalled that when General Grant made his famous tour of the world he stopped at Constantinople, and was entertained by the Sultan, who gave the American soldier, as a souvenir of his visit, two stallions, Leopard and Linden Tree. These horses were landed in 1879, and Mr. Huntington at once began making arrangements to breed to them. Mr. Huntington has theories as to in-breeding, or close breeding, as he prefers to call it, that are more in consonance with the ideas that prevail abroad than here. Of interest to the sports enthusiast is the record of one Clay stallion with the name Cassius. Although extinct now, the Clays did contribute to the creation of another American breed, the Standardbred Trotting Horse.
Further reading
- Conn, George. "Randolph Huntington, American Horse Breeder", Western Horseman, Apr 1949