Adios Butler Horse At Stud

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32050, 26 July 1969, Page 6

Adios Butler Horse At Stud

The Ascot Stud, on the outskirts of Invercargill, is one of the youngest studs in Southland, but it is fast being developed to the stage where it will be one of the leading standardbred breeding establishments in New Zealand.

The stud, owned by Messrs G. R. Shirley and G. A. Thomas, will this spring have three standardbred stallions and one thoroughbred stallion on the 160-acre property. Mr Shirley was until six years ago a taxi proprietor, but he was no stranger to trotting as his father, the late Mr R. M. Shirley, usually had one or two horses in work, and as a hobby he trained and drove a small team himself. Since the stud was founded, miles of post and rail fences, all painted white, have been erected and stallion boxes and yards, equal to anything seen at other trotting studs,

have been installed. The stud has had several thoroughbred stallions, including Zarabanda, Talismano and Great Western, and now has the imported horse, Whistling Willie. Blue and Good Point are two standardbred stallions which have been at the stud, and this spring Express Direct, Hi Lo’s Forbes and Majestic Chance (shown in the photograph) will be there. Express Direct, the sire of winners in Australia, was at Ascot Stud last year, while Hi Lo’s Forbes will be standing his first season in the south after being at Eiffelton for several seasons.

Majestic Chance is creating tremendous interest among breeders in the south. He is the first son of the world champion, Adios Butler, to come to New Zealand. Adios Butler is well known in this country as the conqueror of False Step and Apmat in many thrilling encounters in the United States.

Adios Butler, which took records of 1:53 4-5 on a mile track and 1:55 3-5 on a halfmile track, has been mated only with selected mares since his retirement to the stud. Majestic Chance, an un-

raced four-year-old, is out of La Chance, a daughter of Tar Heel, one of America’s top sires.

As well as the stud side of the farm, Mr Shirley has a nufnber of young horses to be broken in and gaited. However, it is unlikely he will have anything ready to go to the races until well on in the spring. Mr Shirley has produced a number of winners from his small team, including Patricia Hall, Grattan Drive, Anak, Beautilima, White Wings, Glenda Hanover, White World, Oro Brigade, Hindu, Control and Newella.