THOROUGHBRED STOCK.

Dunstan Times, Issue 2481, 17 May 1909, Page 5

THOROUGHBRED STOCK.

A. VALUABLE ACQUISITION TO THE

DISTRICT

The purchase of the thoroughbred horse Grafton Loch by Messrs Sheppard Bros, of Lauder and Mr W. M. Wilson of Hawkdun Station undoubtedly means the introduction of the most fashionably bred racing sire that has ever been brought into Central Otago. Tne horse was purchased from Mr L. C. Hazlett, of Dunedin, who bought him in Sydney as a yearling, the price paid for him then running into three figures. The horse is now at Messrs Sheppard Bros, farm at Lander, where he will remain during the next season. Grafton Loch is a handsome dark brown horse, 5 years old and stands about hands high. He is by Grafton (Imp.) out of Loch Lotta. Grafton’s sire was that famous horse, Galopin, (winner of the Derby and sire of St. Simon, Galihrd, Donovan and a host of other good performers) his dam being Maid Marion (dam of Ereildoune. Bruntwood, Polymelus etc.). Grafton Loch’s dam, Loch Lotta was by Lochiel frem the wellknown Trenton mare Lady Trenville. Grafton has been a great success at the stud in New South Wales one of his yearling’s realising 2,100 guineas at the Sydney sales some twelve months back. The importation of Grafton Loch to the district will be warmly welcomed by breeders of thorough-bred stock, and should create quite a revival in this line of breeding which has been somewhat neglected locally of late years, It is the intention of the owners to keep him at the stud for a season or two, after which he will probably resume his career on the turf, His new owners certainly deserve every success for their enterprise in placing such a Avell-bred animal at the service of breeders. There is little doubt but that he will be well patronised and that it will not be long before some of his get are competing at the local meetings. With so fashionably bred a horse in our midst it should .not be long before the District,. Paces, which were once so popular at our local race meetings, again take pride of place on their programmes.