Carbine’s Head Faded To “A Moth-Eaten Relic”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29604, 29 August 1961, Page 5

Carbine’s Head Faded To “A Moth-Eaten Relic”

The Press” Special Service

AUCKLAND, August 28. Carbine, an immortal of the turf, has fallen on evil days. When he died in England his head and neck were returned to the Auckland Museum where he has gazed out upon generations of sightseersHis corner has been something of a shrine to racing people from all over the world but he has suffered badly with the passage of the years. Originally a rich bay with a wide white blaze, Carbine has faded to a sad sorrel. One prominent racing man described the effigy as “like nothing more than a yellowed and moth-eaten donkey. This horse brought fame to New Zealand throughout the world, and especially to Auckland, where he was foaled at Sylvia Park Stud. His ears are tattered, his colour has gone; it would be better for them to take such a sorry relic away if it cannot be restored.’’ Sold to Australia Carbine was born just near the present Panmure highway in 1885 and was unbeaten as a two-year-old in New Zealand. He was sold to Australia where he raced from three to five and established himself as the giant of the turf in his part of the world.

He won the Melbourne Cup as a five-year-old under 10-5 in 3min 38 l/4sec. The time was outstanding for then and no horse has ever carried as great a weight successfully in a major distance race anywhere in the world. After siring the winner of a record £50,000 in Australia. Carbine went to England where he got the Derby winner, Spearmint. In Melbourne, Phar Lap, the second of the “eternal trio” of great horses bred in New Zealand, is preserved in the Melbourne Museum. His huge frame stands as if ready to leap into action. The veins are almost alive and he looks just as he did when racing. His rich chestnut colour is as perfect as when he died tragically in America. He is rightly considered one of the city’s outstanding sightsThe third of the trio of greats, Kindergarten, lives as an old horse in retirement in Gisborne. Carbine’s hide was used as cover for the seat and back of the president’s chair in the Auckland Racing Club. In spite of many years of use, it is well preserved and the rich oay colour is still evident, in marked contrast to the museum specimen.