THE MATCH RACE AGAINST ETHAN ALLEN

This Currier and Ives print portrays Ethan Allen and Dexter in their first match at the Fashion Course, Long Island, on June 21st, 1867. Note the race officials in the observation booth above the track, the timer looking down at his stopwatch, which was accurate to 1/60th of a second. The horses, shown going at top speed, are unrealistically drawn as they always were 150 years ago, before the invention of film, video or “instantaneous” photography that could capture motion. The print does, however, render the horses’ colors and markings very accurately and presents good portraits of drivers Budd Doyle and Dan Mace. It also captures in an artistic way the attitude of the horses and the extreme effort they were making. (Courtesy, Library of Congress)

The second contest between Ethan Allen and Dexter was run at the Middletown, New Jersey, track on the 4th of July, 1867, less than two weeks after their first meeting. The results were the same, however, with Ethan Allen and mate winning the contest in three straight heats with successively faster times. Both trotters were very game “stayers,” Ethan Allen in his 18th year and Dexter some eight years his junior. Who today has heard of a racehorse of any type or class pulling down very competitive times when at such an age? Long ago, durability and soundness were top priorities in American horse breeding. (Currier and Ives print courtesy, Library of Congress)