AN ENGLISH PURCHASE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 112, 14 May 1929, Page 9

AN ENGLISH PURCHASE.

GAY SHIELD FOR' WAIKATO. The six-year-old stallion Gay Shield, by Gay Crusader from China, has been sold through the agency of Messrs. Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., to Mr. Clive Matthews, of Hamilton, and is due to arrive from England next month. Cinna, who won the One Thousand Guineas, is by Polymelus (five times champion sire of England) from Baroness La Fleche (the best two-year-old of her year) and dam of many notable winners including Spearhead, sire of Spearfelt, winner of the Melbourne Cup and V.R.C. Derby. Baroness La Fleche is by Ladas (Derby) from La Fleche sold as a brood mare for 12,000 guineas, and one of the best mares the English Turf has known. Five of her yearlings sold for the marvellous average of 17,000 guineas. A yearling filly by Gay Crusader—Love Oil, recently sold for 13,000 guineas, a world's record for a filly at auction. The dam of Gay Shield is a close relation to Grafton (champion sire of Australia for several seasons), John o' Gaunt and Spearhead. Gay Shield is to be put to the stud in the Waikato district and should be a great acquisition to New Zealand for producing stayers and middle distance horses.