FROM STUD AND STABLE Fairfleet Sale Has Its Disturbing Side

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31680, 16 May 1968, Page 4

FROM STUD AND STABLE Fairfleet Sale Has Its Disturbing Side

New Zealand’s qualities as a horse-producing country are creating the parallel distinction of making it one of the great horse-trading countries of the world.

Where the demand is for geldings almost at the end of the line, in the weight-carrying sense, there is little to lose, and perhaps a good bit to gain.

But in the case of the sale of a mare of the superb racing qualities and breeding potential of Fairfleet, whose sale to the United States was announced yesterday, there are as many disturbing as heartening elements. The loss of a mare such as Fairfleet to the New Zealand bloodstock industry, and future losses of mares with illustrious records and bloodlines, can hardly be halted unless there is organised planning and effort on an ambitious scale in this country. National Stud The situation could, and it is suggested, should be met by the establishment of a National Stud which would have the resources to compete at every level with the overseas breeders. It would be impossible to calculate the potential value at the national sales of colts from mares like Fairfleet and by the top sires. The sale overseas of sons, of

our best brood mares is helping to keep the New Zealand bloodstock industry in a healthy financial condition even if this is affecting the standard of performance within this country. Wasted Secret But the sale ot famous race mares and, potentially, highly successful producers themselves is, in effect, handing on the secret of a highly-prized recipe instead of profiting by the sale of its products. Australians, in particular, have bought a small army of females from New Zealand’s most distinguished families in the last few years. Their activities did much to “make” the recent Waikato mixed bloodstock sale, where they had little New Zealand opposition and paid up to $6500 in securing the four top-priced mares. Trend Reversed Another notable sale to an overseas buyer recently concerned Cracksman, New Zealand’s top three-year-old of the 1961-62 season. The purchase of this son of Le Filou for Mr G. R. Rickman’s stud in Surrey, Eng-

land, reverses a well-defined trend. England is the nursery for most of the horses bought as sires for New Zealand studs. Mr Rickman's purchase of Cracksman offers a tribute to the obvious class of a horse which won the New Zealand St Leger on one of the lightest of public preparations. Cracksman required careful handling, and the North Island Challenge Stakes, seven furlongs, was his only race between his win in the Great Northern Derby and the New Zealand St Leger. First Start In U.S. (NZ. Press Association) ROTORUA. The first American start for Fairfleet would be on Julv 8 in the 8U530.000 Beverley Hills Handicap over Um, according to her former owner. Mr A. G. Tinkham, yesterday. The next start would be two weeks later in the Hollywood Invitation Handicap, for a stake of SUSI2O.OOO to the winner. After her racing career, which could be two years, it is planned to send Fairfleet to a top American stallion. Mr and Mrs Tinkham intend to watch the mare in her first two races. Fairfleet, which will fly from Auckland either next Wednesday or Thursday, will be accompanied by her trainer, R. J. Campbell. Her regular jockey, R. J. Skelton, will ride her in her first two races.