DISPERSAL OF STUD

Press, Volume C, Issue 29672, 16 November 1961, Page 4

DISPERSAL OF STUD

Alton Lodge Plans

(N.Z. Press Association) WHLUNGTON. Nov. 15. Sir James Fletcher and Mr J. C. Fletcher announced in Wellington today their intention to disperse the Alton Lodge Stud. The stallion. Chatsworth 11, and 22 brood mares will be offered for reserved sale on the third day of the national sales at Trantham in January. Sir James Fletcher and Mr Fletcher expressed their regret at reaching this decision which they said had been brought about solely by the increasing demands made upon their time through the expansion of their business interests. Alton Lodge Stud, which was established in the Waerenga Valley at Te Kauwhata In 1939 grew into the largest thoroughbred nursery in the Dominion, and in 10 of the first 20 years of its existence it was the leading breeder in the Dominion for the number of winners produced each season and for value of stakes won. Foundation Sire Balloch. the foundation sire, was twice leading stallion and twice leading sire of two-year-old winners. He was joined early in the stud’s career by Gold Nib, which became leading sire of twoyear -olds in five seasons. Knockout n. Fair’s Fair, Count Rendered. Mid-day Sun. and Revelation were other English stallions at service at Alton Lodge Alton Lodge sheltered the biggest coHeetion of imported mares ever assembled at an individual stud in New Zealand's breeding history. , In addition to those directly imported by the proprietors the entire Windsor Park stud at Elderslie containing mostly imported stock was acquired in a nackage deal and a further to mares were transferred from the Kooba Stud. New South Wale* on a partnership - basis with the F. W. Hughes Proprietary. Depienishinr sales held in 1952 and 1857 reduced the stock bolding to man ageable proportions. The remaining mares represent the pick of the best families which have kept Alton Lodge in the forefront of thoroughbred breeding for many years.