Grey Warbler dies in U.K.

Press, 23 February 1985, Page 27

Grey Warbler dies in U.K.

PA Wellington The New Zealand jumper, Grey Warbler, which had qualified for this year’s English Grand National, has died. The 10-year-old Grey Bird gelding was put down after suffering from colic, his part-owner, Jenny Boon of Waverley, said yesterday. “My son, John, rang me from England this morning to tell me the grim news,” she said. “I feel so sad for the horse.” Grey Warbler, the 1982 New Zealand Jumper of the Year, fell ill on Wednesday, became unconscious and died on Thursday (N.Z. time). Grey Warbler was the twenty-third qualifier out of a field of 40 to gain entry in

the Grand National at Aintree on March 30. Winner of the 1982 New Zealand Grand National and the Wellington and Hawke’s Bay Steeplechases, the illfated Grey Warbler suffered several setbacks after going to England two years ago. The horse pulled up lame in October, 1983, and had been struggling to regain form and fitness ever since. The trainer, Stan Mellor, who also handled another prominent New Zealand jumper, Royal Mail, the third place-getter in the 1981 Grand National, had been confident that Grey Warbler would put up a strong showing at Aintree. The horse was to have been ridden by New Zealand’s Dennis Gray, who was at Grey Warbler’s side when he died.