Improvement In Stud Book

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31597, 7 February 1968, Page 5

Improvement In Stud Book

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N. E. PIERCE)

A few years ago the New Zealand Trotting Stud Book was criticised as grossly inadequate to cater for a sport which almost overnight had given New Zealand world standing as a standardbred nursery.

For this reason high praise must readily be given the standard and coverage of Volume 18, says the latest New Zealand Trotting Stud Book, published recently by the New Zealand Trotting Conference. Volume 18 gives a most complete survey and detail of trotting breeding in this country and strikingly confirms the outlook that trotting authorities are prepared to bring offi-

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cial breeding records in line with the standard of the stud industry it represents. Over the years there has been a steady but fairly general trend to tighten stud book entries and registration of standard-bred stock. Some of these regulations were unpalatable at the time; some prevented well bred mares from being matrons, but the overall result has been worth while. Today there is a place in the Stud Book for every standard-bred horse registered; the day of horses of “unknown breeding” has long since passed. The Keeper of the Stud Book (Mr R. C. R. Morton) says: “This volume is designed to furnish a comprehensive survey of an industry which is becoming of world-wide importance. The increasing numbers of light-harness horses exported in recent years show that New Zealand has reached the stage of being regarded as a field of great potential. . . . Emphasis to this is given by the fact that an additional 500 mares have been

bred from in the last two seasons.” It is doubtful if there is a phase of light-harness breeding that has not been covered in Volume 18. It gives extended pedigrees of New Zealand’s all-time list of 2min pacers. The lists of 2min 9sec and better trotters and 2min 0 l-ssec to 2min ssec pacers, with their breeding and Stud Book volume listings, are of great value. Leading stake-winners, sires of brood mares, winning sires, leading sires of trotters, and fertility of stallions and sires’ fertility rates are given. RECORDS IN U.S.

An interesting feature is the records of New Zealand horses racing in America — giving their breeding, stake winnings and time performances.

A detailed list of mares imported to New Zealand and extended pedigrees of imported sires cover a wide field. The latest volume also lists non-standard-bred mares, colonial-bred sires, and their pedigrees.

A valuable addition is the list of names and addresses of all breeders who have registered progeny between 1964 and 1967. Last, but not least, is the transfer of the index from the back of the volume to the front. This will be appreciated by those who frequently refer to these official records.

It is perhaps unfortunate that no photographs of the champion sires of recent years have been reproduced. This may be considered in future for the benefit of those who will study the Stud Book details when many presentday breeders are no longer living. In early volumes, top sires of the day were illustrated. The influence of Light Brigade and U Scott on breeding should surely have won them a place; and Hal Tryax, the leading colonial-bred sire and champion pacer, Johnny Globe, and the top sire of last season, Garrison Hanover, are alsp worthy of illustration. Volume 18 gives without doubt the finest coverage that standard-bred breeding has had in this country. Breeders are making a considerable contribution to its cost; it can be taken for granted that they will be well satisfied with the records now available.