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Press, 12 September 1986, Page 2

“Wanted: one mother” is the slogan of this dayold standardised colt with Mr Peter Gillespie,

a veterinarian, of Racecourse Veterinary Clinic. The colt, by Sapling from Sports Edition, and nicknamed Bert, is a very early foal whose dam had to be destroyed because of an injured leg. He is surprisingly healthy but bottles and milk powders are a poor substitute for a mare’s milk. Mr Gillespie, who is nursing the colt for Christchurch owner, Mr David Young, said the chances of finding a suitable mare were slim. The coit was born far in advance of the normal foaling season in October and November and so

there are few mares available. “Even if you find a mare it is unlikely she would take it,” Mr Gillespie said. “The rejection rate is fairly high.” All the same, an appeal was broadcast on radio to find the colt a “mother.” In the meantime, Mr Gillespie is feeding him every four hours during the first critical days. Even if no surrogate was found, Mr Gillespie said, the colt would probably survive. Anyone able to help is asked to telephone 428-628, or 481241 after hours.