GOLD NIB DEAD

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28805, 28 January 1959, Page 4

GOLD NIB DEAD

Leading Sire Of Two Year-Olds “The Fraas- Special Service AUCKLAND, January 27. Gold Nib, the leading sire of two-year-olds for five seasons and the sire of winners of' more than £270,000, died of an internal injury at. the Kempton Park Stud, Putaruru, yesterday. Bred in England in 1939, Gold Nib was imported to New Zealand by Sir James Fletcher and Mr J. C. Fletcher. He stood at their Alton Lodge Stud until January, 1957, when he was purchased by Mr D. McKenzie for 1250gns. Gold Nib was an immediate success at the stud in New Zealand and his first crop earned £14,180 as two-year-olds—a record for a first-season sire. He was also the leading sire of two-year-olds in ,1951-52. 1952-53, 195657 and 1957-58. The 1950-51 season was Gold Nib’s best, his stock earning £30,970. His oldest progeny were then four-year-olds. Two seasons later he was fourth on the winning sires’ list with £30,134 10s. Short Distances The majority of Gold Nib’s stock have done best over short distances although there have been several notable exceptions. One was The Unicorn, who was probably his greatest son. In a restricted career he earned £10,865 from 10 wins, including the New Zealand Derby, at Riccarton, and the Christmas Handicap in New Zealand record time at Ellerslie. Other good winners by Gold Ntb include Gold Script, Aboukir, Surrey Gold, Sir William, Golden Spa, Ganymede, Rural Gold, Wakatu, Aureomycin, Writer, Fountainhead, Comte de Paris, Niblick, Embargo, Magic Nib, Special Script, Sleipnir, Omania. Selling Fast, Bretton, Gloaming Prince, Correspond, Lucky Red and Appeal Court. A brown horse. Gold Nib was by Dastur from Gold Race, by Colorado from Cresta Run, by Hurry On.