DEATH OF TRAINER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 191, 15 August 1939, Page 14

DEATH OF TRAINER.

MR. F. T. STENNING.

POPULAR ELLERSLIE MENTOR.

A popular trainer and one well-known throughout the Dominion, Mr. Frederick Thomas Stenning died at his home, Summerfield StTeet, Ellerslie, yeeterday, at the age of 80. It ie only recently that he relinquished training and handed over Valspear, the laet horse with wOiioh he was associated, to hie eon, R. G. Stenning, who ia also training Melvanui. As a lad, when New Zealand was in ita swaddling clothes, he came from England in die ship Buckinghamshire, landing amount the Scotsmen who invaded the South and had eriven fehe settlement the name of Dunedin, the etarting-off place for the goldfield* in those days. He landed ac "Buwliy Park,"' then owned by Mr. F. T. Rich, famous ae the premier breeder of Spanish Merino tsheep at that period of national history. The newcomer made the most of things, but still yearned for better horses than those on a farm; rhe neigh of horses attracted more than the bleat of sheep. The Coaching Days. After three years he secured an appointment to file stable of Mr. J. McGregor, who iviis (raining for Swaiison and Warburton, coach proprietors of Oamaru. In two years he transferred to Harry Williams, who was training for Mr. Paterson, coaching and livery stableman in the same town. The next step was Vo Bob Fitzsiimnon.s' town. Timuru. Here, being des.perate for work to his liking, Mr. Stennintf became a hotel waiter, but he preferred to wait on equine needs. Soon, therefore, he joined up with Bob Barton and Charlie Joyce, die latter being then one of the best steeplechase riilei* in the land. At Wash dyke Mr. Stenning became associated with Billy Davis, who in later years in Wellington was the well-known' mentor who taught George I , rice lh>; business. v . ouiig fcitfnning was soon in racing circles HE Riecartoii with W. C. Webb, who brought out Tradiieer and other tine horses. 'Phis was the time that "(i. (i. Fiaser" (otherwise Mi. (i. G. Stead) imported Tasso ami Kquation from Australia, and also brought l>e Loup at Noswortliy's sale. G.G.S. also had that fine galloper Trump Card (by Trailucer—Revoke), which won in nine out of eleven starts, includinir the Champagne- Stakes, the Derby and other good races.

Off to Gisborne. Songster and Bothwell. having been ■purchased by Mr. Walter Black, of Gishoinc. young Stenning took the holies to Poverty Bay. He started training for the late S. C. ill ton and Mat. Xasmith. i.wiier of West End, Sky sail and numerous other good ones. At the instance of M:. Allan McDonald, of Gisborne, the young liiiin. then newly married, was iip) ointed in magcr rif hi< fMOO-aorc station "liclli- Viir." nff Miimien Point, in the \Vhang;iiei district. hi urging Mr. Stenning to proceed to North Auckland Mr. McDonald also .--n/igested that he should take a favourite filly and race her in Auckland while sit the st it ion. but this wan declined, as Mr. Stenning; felt that he could not give proper attention to the horse and tend his flock of sheep as well. That filly turned out to be Cinderella, which was subsequently raced here and in Australia, and captured many important events.

Auckland Horse Trams. After several years Mr. Stenning , left "Belle Vue" and i-niiip to this city, where ho met an old Oiiimuu friend, Mr. .1. S. Kidd, then stable manager of the Auckland Tramway Company, which owned "even horses at the time. Though intending to return to Gisborne, Mr. Stenning yielded to persuasion to look after the city's transport. He brc.ke in a number of horses and was allotted to the new barn, then stables, at Heme Buy. He drove the first horse car into the barn, which has been demolished. He remained foreman for several years, during which he broke in no less than 375 horses. Then he was transferred to manage the St. Heber's Bay depot and glazing ground, a property used as the horse supply ground by the company. But the racine blood was in the veins of the stalwart Stenning. He took up training in Auckland. He prepared many fin" horses for notable contents amongst which were J;iek Del'ival. Holioto. Woodbine. Mnngfie. The Sha'-pPr. Cobweb. Atlantii. Dnnborvp. S-,uHane, Monoiack, Piiiniwatu and Mulling!!! - ,