TRIPLE CROWN WINNER?

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

TRIPLE CROWN WINNER?

After his impressive performance in the Two Thousand Guineas there is growing confidence in England and Ireland that Sir Ivor can become the first winner of the Triple Crown since Bahram 33 years ago. “He needs a mile and a half,” Lester Piggott said emphatically when dismounting after winning the Guineas on Mr Raymond Guest’s Ameri-can-bred colt.

Bought for $42,000 at the Keeneland Yearling Sales, Sir Ivor is by Sir Gaylord, whose sire, Turn-To was by Royal Charger. Sir Gaylord won six races as a two-year-old and four from four starts as a three-year-old. He never won at a longer distance than nine furlongs, but he did not get the chance to run beyond that distance. Sir Ivor’s dam, Attica, won five races up to a mile. She was by Mr Trouble (son of Mahmoud), which stayed a mile and a half well, out of Athenia, which won 10 races, one over the Derby distance. Sold To Japan Athenia was by Pharamond IL a half-brother by Phalaris to Hyperion—not the Frenchbred son of Sicambre imported to New Zealand for the Ra Ora Stud and later sold to Japan. Sir Ivor’s rise to fame has been followed with much Interest in Australia, and by the Canadian breeder, Mrs D. M. Margetts; who spends part of her time in New Zealand each year. Mrs Margetts is the owner of Red Rumor, another grand-

son of Turn-To, which will stand his first season at One-Tree Hill, near Adelaide, this year. ed Rumor is by the TurnTo horse Hail to Reason out of the good producer Red Sea, a daughter of Fairway. There is a genetic link between Red Rumor and Sir Ivor. It comes through the fact that Fairway Is a three-quarter blood relation to Pharamond 11, both being by Phalaris out of Chaucer mares.

Good Entry For Sale

Eighty-five entries have been received for the South Island sale of thoroughbreds to be held in Christchurch on August 5. “The list gives us every reason to look toward the sale with confidence," said Mr D. B. Clarkson, of the bloodstock department of Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd, yesterday. Two-year-olds number 33 of the total entry. Sires represented in that section Include Golden Plume, Resurgent Syntax, Martian 11, and Head Hunter, which are based in the North Island, besides most of the prominent South Island sires. Entrants for the brood mare section include Ptarmigan, dam of the Grand National winner Game Call; and Flying Time, a good performer for Mr K. G. McLaughlin.