Obituary

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31530, 18 November 1967, Page 6

Obituary

Mr V.W. Alborn Mr V. W. Alborn, one of the most prominent trainerdrivers in Canterbury until about 1956, died on Tuesday after a short illness. Mr Alborn came to the West Coast from Somerby, England, and soon established himself as one of the leading trainers and drivers in the province. Later he came to Canterbury where he trained and drove a host of winners, quickly becoming established as one of the most skilful drivers of a front-runner.

Vesuvius, a great favourite with the public because of his front-running ability, was one of the best horses produced by Alborn in his first few years in Canterbury. He graduated to cup class and finished second in a heat of the 1931 race. He won a Dominion Handicap with Royal Romance, which cost him £350, in 1939, and later won the same race with Fair Isle. He paid £3OO for Burt Scott, which won 10 races for him in six months. Native Scott and Bulldozer were other bargain purchases to go on to good form. Other fine winners produced by Mr Alborn included Sand Maid, Dandy Grattan, Maori Home, Dundee Sandy, Echoist, Tatsydale, Lindy Lou, Flinders Bar, Flagship, Duncraig. Green Label, Moderate, Combateer, Fore, Somerby, Honeymoon, Royal Surprise, Nationalist and Linkman. Mr Alborn was the first person to head the list of owners with a five-figure sum —10,015 in the 1945-46 season. He was also leading owner in the 1941-42 season. He retired from race driving in 1953 and carried on training for a few years after that.

Mr Alborn retired to Nelson for a few years, but later returned to Christchurch. Mr Alborn had coal mining interests in the Reefton district.