A CRACK ENGLISH RIDER

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 117, 18 May 1892, Page 3

A CRACK ENGLISH RIDER

Very few Anglo-Colonials (say 3 our London correspondent) appeur even now to bo awara thab the Mr Wilson whose horse, Father O'Flynn, Captain E. R. Owen steered to victory in the Grand National Steeplechase, ia the eldest son of Sir Samuel Wilson, and an Australian by "birth and education." Certainly nob a single colonist I've como across profited in any way by the gallant little hunter's easy victory. Sirica Mr Wilson married Lady Sara Churchill last summer he has been leas' disposed than ever to recollect his Antipodean origin, and I euspect could count on hia lingers the " cornstalks)" who have crossed their lega beneath hia hospitable board. Father O'Flynn originally belonged to Lord Cholanondeley, who won several hunters' races with1 him. The horse developed euch a temper, however, that the Marquis sold him for £400 to Mr Wilson, who sent him to Leicestershire to his private trainer. This smart groom (for he pretends to be no more) subdued the Father's temper, and has turned him into one of the cleverest little chasers going. Captain "Roddy" Owon had several Grand National mounts to pick from. He selected Father O'Flynn, and how easily he won, history tells. Mr Wilson and his brother officers pocketed nice stakes by the victory, as did the followers of Captain Owen's mounts. The public would, of course, have much preferred Cloister, who ran second, to win. Father O'Flynn is by Retreat, the sire I repeatedly urged one of your Australian or New Zealand stud companies to acquire when he was in the market a year or two back. I felt confident then such a tried stayer must make a name at the stud, and he has now made it. Retreat was just the horae to succeed Musket in Auckland.