Outstanding Stud

SENSELESS was the most successful of grandfather Major George McLaughlin's thoroughbreds that won races at Newmarket. This painted photograph signed by Clarence Hailey shows the grey with his trainer Joseph Butters. Like every Edwardian of good breeding, Senseless had cartes de visite with his portrait, also by Hailey. His cards gave his pedigree, as shown below, together with the following information:

"SENSELESS (1905) gr. c. (15-2½) by Grey Leg, out of Senses, by Raeburn, is the winner of £5,000 in stakes, including the Victoria Cup at Hurst Park, the Doveridge Handicap, the Nottinghamshire Handicap twice, the July Handicap, Newmarket, the Great Eastern Railway Handicap, and many other races, in some of which he carried top weight. On his dam's side he has the cross of St. Simon blood on the famous Agnes line.

"Will stand at 18 guineas, and 1 guinea groom's fee. Special terms to winners and dams of winners. Three mares taken at the price of two. Will stand at Hill Stud, Gazeley, Newmarket."

Major McLaughlin bred several of the horses who carried his livery of Blue and Yellow (halved), Black sleeves and cap. They included Columbus, first home in the Newmarket October Handicap, Brighton Stakes, and Derby Cup. Miss Issippi brought off two 20 to 1 chances in succession as a two-year-old at Gatwick and Warwick respectively, while Lilaline scored under both Rules, including the Sandown Grand Prize (Hurdle Race) and Stockton and Worcester Handicaps.

Clarence Hailey of Newmarket was one of the preeminent photographers of the day. In 1910, he published Stallions Illustrated, with a preface by The Earl of Coventry. Its two 10½in.x15in. volumes contain 160 portraits with full pedigrees.

© 2006 G. Harry McLaughlin.
Reproduction or transmission, in whole or in part, for other than personal use is prohibited without advance permission from Dr. G. H. McLaughlin.