Alvaro dead

Press, 30 July 1986, Page 52

Alvaro dead

Special correspondent Cambridge Alvaro, one of New Zealand’s most successful and versatile sires, died of a heart attack on Monday. Coincidentally Alvaro’s death at Morven Farm Stud, Cambridge, where he was based since 1971, came only hours after the now retired good stayer Rose and Thistle arrived at the stud to join Alvaro and Vaguely Tender at stud for the new season: Alvaro, a 21-year-old by the Hyperion horse, Rockefella, out of Aldegonde (Nimbus-Aldousa), raced nineteen times in England for six wins — in succession. He was placed six times.

He had proved himself as the sire of versatile and durable stock. He was the leading New Zealand sire in 1979-80, has consistently been in the top ten or twelve for a

decade, and looks likely to finish fifth in the season now near its end.

Among his biggest winners have been the Wellington Cup victors, Ruanuku (12 wins); Cubacade (9 wins); the Group 1 Air New Zealand Handicap winner Pays Anne; Bunvaro (15 wins including the Hawke’s Bay cup and A. R. C. Cornwall Handicap); Lavaro (Hawke’s Bay Cup, A.R.C. Queen Elizabeth Handicap); Avago (Waikato Cup); Elmar (15 wins); Clive Comet (9 wins including Ipswich Cup); Alkyana (Matamata Breeders Stakes and Waikato Guineas); Morven Chief (A. R. C. Clifford Plate); Joal (7 wins); Castaneta and Wren’s Pride, a good winner both on the flat and over fences.

In recent times, Tanalyse over 1400 m and Alvator, over 2100 m, have established New Zealand record times at Te Rapa.

In Australia, Astrolin, Joyita, Red Sleeves, Alvaro Boy and Alvaro’s Pride, are among those to have done well.

Alvaro’s versatility was never more apparent than last New Year when in the space of a few days Ullyatt won the Perth Cup (3200 m the juvenile Miss Emma won the Great Northern Foal Stakes at Ellerslie (1200 m and Tanalyse won the Group 1 Wrightson Handicap, 1200 m at Trentham. Alvaro has been represented by winning jumpers both over batten and brush hurdles and his stock have also won over country. He has also been successfully represented in South Africa and Malaysia.

He was to have been bred with about 35 outside mares in addition to mares based at Mr Doug Fisher’s Morven Stud in the new season.