The honour for being the highest priced Shire mare sold at a stud sale belongs to the great show mare, Pailton Sorais, for which Sir Arthur Nicholson gave 1200 guineas at the dispersion sale of Mr. Max Michaelis at Tandridge, Surrey, on October 26, 1911. It will be remembered by Shire breeders that she made a successful appearance in London each year from one to eight years old, her list being: First, as a yearling; sixth, as a two-year-old; second, as a three-year-old; first and reserve champion at four years old, five and seven; first in her class at six. She was not to be denied the absolute championship, however, and it fell to her in 1911. No Shire in history has achieved greater distinction than this, not even Honest Tom 1105, who won first prize at the Royal Show six years in succession, as the competition in those far-off days was much less keen than that which Pailton Sorais had to face, and it should be mentioned that she was also a good breeder, the foal by her side when she was sold made 310 guineas and another daughter 400 guineas.
Such are the kind of Shire mares that farmers want. Those that will work, win, and breed. As we have seen in this incomplete review, Aurea won the championship of the London show, together with her son. Belle Cole, the champion mare of 1908, bred a colt which realized 900 guineas as a yearling a few days before she herself gained her victory, a clear proof that showing and breeding are not incompatible.
The highest priced Shires sold by auction have already been given. So a few of the most notable sales may be mentioned, together with the dates they were held--
£ _s._ _d._ Tring Park (draft), February 14, 1913: 32 Shires averaged 454 0 0 Tatton Park (dispersion), April 23, 1909: 21 Shires averaged 465 0 0 Tring Park (draft), February 14, 1905: 35 Shires averaged 266 15 0 The Hendre, Monmouth (draft), October 18, 1900: 42 Shires averaged 226 0 0 Sandringham (draft), February 11, 1898: 52 Shires averaged 224 7 9 Tring Park (draft), January 15, 1902: 40 Shires averaged 217 14 0 Tring Park (draft), January 12, 1898: 35 Shires averaged 209 18 2 Dunsmore (dispersion), February 11, 1909: 51 Shires averaged 200 12 0 Childwick (draft), February 13, 1901: 46 Shires averaged 200 0 0 Tandridge (dispersion), October 28, 1911: 84 Shires averaged 188 17 6