SALES OF RACEHORSES.

Evening Post, Volume LXIII, Issue 87, 12 April 1902, Page 6 (Supplement)

SALES OF RACEHORSES.

At Mr. Stead's sale at Yaldhurst last week thero >was (say 9 the Auckland Herald's correspondent) only a moderate attendance, the majority of those around the ring being merely onlookers. Gipsy Girl, by Gipsy ' Grand — Marion was the first to step into the ring. She ia a yearling filly of fair size, but not showing much quality. Like nfbst of her dam's foals sho" shows a peculiar leg formation in front, and went cheaply enough to W. Clarke, the well-known cross-country rider, at 25 guinea's. Duke Michael is another ekestnut by Gipsy Grand, from the Medallion maie Coronol, and the white ticks ■in tho colt's coat show hla relationship to Medallion, who is similar* ly marked. He went a gift to Mr. G. Palmer, at 35 guineas. St. Hilda, who has never yet had a bit in his mouth, was the next brought out, and a grandlooking two-year-old colt he is. Meeting with an accident shortly after Mr. Stead had paid 640 guineas for him in Auckland, he was given time to recover and to mature. There are not many finer coHs in tho colony, and 1 Mr. Stead, in inviting those present' to "have a good look at the son of St. Leger and Hilda," had every justification to expect a better return than 115 guineas, at which price ho went to the nod of Mr. D. H. Lewis, of Auckland. Probably Northern sportsmen will have an opportunity of seeing -the colt, and when they do they w,ill assuredly admit that Mr. Morrin has had few liner animals. Even if he never races, he should command attention as a sire. Whon Cyclamen, a two-year-old filly by Gipsy Grand from, Corolla, was in tho ring, and the bidding had just exceeded a century, Mr. Stead stated that ho would give 100 soys for the filly if her purchaser was not satisfied with her on or before tho Ist September, and ho would take her as a brood mare. "I will guarantee that sho is fast," said Mr. R. J. Mason, but notwithstanding the offer, and tho guarantee, the filly — she is a compactly-built, powerful animal — only realised 140 guineas, Mr, Acton Adams becoming her owner, though sho will bo trained under fuo supervision of Mr. V. Harris. San Remo, the three-year-old colb by St. Leger— Cissy, looked in great heart, and it avbs stated thnt Mr. Stead had refused 300 guineas for liis last week. "Dan O'Brien," said Mr. Pyne, " would have paid 600 guineas for this fellow after he finished second to Monschikoff in tho Canterbury Cup." However, at 160 guineas, San Remo went to "Mr. Michael," but he did not keep the colt long, as Mr. G. Carrington, of Gisborne, took him at 225 soys. Field "Battery (by Hotchkiss— -Ladjjr Evelyn^,

who came prancing into the ring, has grown into a guwd horse, and was purchased by Mr. W. Blackniore, of Wellington, at 300 guineas. Knight Errant, by St. Legor — Forma, who is a big ungainly colt, failed to open a pocket, but when Monschikoff came into the ring, Mr. Pyne and Mr. Stead each recounted what the colt Jiad done. Tiio son of Stepniak has a leg, caused, it was said, through striking himself whilst racing at Auckland, since which time he has not done a great deal of work, he looked in Bplendid health aud walked soundly. Bids camo fairly fast at first, but tha auctionoer's eloquence failed to receive a responsive nod when 600 guineas was reached, and a murmur of applause greeted tho announcement that the horse, who holds four records over all distances, had been bought by Mr. T. Morrin, the Wellington Park studmastor, presumably for stud purposes. Menschikoff is certainly a rather small horse, but if he can beget animals as good as himself there will be no complaints about their size, Skobeloff went to the bid of Mr. C. G. Dalgetty, at 200 guineas, and the brother to the champion will be trained l>y G. Murr»y-Aynsley. The gelding was purchased for Grand National Hurdle Race honours, and whilst being led around the riug Mr. R. J. Mason offered to take 100 to 5 Shat he would win that race, and Mr. Dalgetty accepted the offer, though the small end of it was subsequently given to G. Aynsley'. Skobeloff. is as sound as on the day he was foaled. Then came the Auckland and Wellington Cup winner, St. Michael. The son of St. Leger is very straight in front, and in walking he knuckles over, which gives an impression of great weakness in pasterns and fetlocks, but he has always been the same. A bid of 200 guineas was the first and only one given, but when tho hammer fell, the buyer, looking at the horse : " Why, he's lame." "What do you say?" asked Mr. Stead. "Lame, is he? If you don't want the horse, why did you bid for him? He was in the ring for every body to see. Do you want him?" "No I" came the reply. "Take him out," ordered Mr. Pyne, and away went one of the cheapest horses ever a man could buy. As Mr. Stead remarked, "I am determined to sell, but I don't want to force a man to buy my horses. I have hud almost enough of it, and after the next lot I cannot see ray way to give tk«m away." However, laUr on Mr. H. T. Knight secured St. Michael at 200 guineas. Grand Chain (by Gipsy Grand — Reel) went to Mr. Y. Harris at 110 guineas, and then Evelyn Wdodwas brought out, but tho «olt was obviously feeling the effects of training, and was taken lack to his stable. The came Grand Rapids, d powerful bay gelding by Gipsy Gmnd from Whirlpool; Romany Quean (by Gipsy Granu— lch Dien), Orloff (by Stepniak — Sortie), the three-year-old colt Siege Gun (by Hotchkiss — Frailty), a grand horse, for whom Mr. Stead gave 660 guineas, neither eliciting a bid. Marion, served by Multiform, passed into the possession of Mr. P. Campbell at 21 guineas. It is a pity that the sale was not more widely advertised, a* almost without exception the hones were simply sacrificed. Pyne and Co. held a sale at Tattersail's, but bidding ■ did not come up to expectations. Fulmen returned to his old quarters at 105 guineas, »nd White May at 40 guineas, Bealey at 244 guineas, and High Peak at 40 guineas wore the only ones sold. Kotokoto (40 guineas). Riawai (22 guineas), Narcissus (45 guineas), Somerlcd, who has a kiico (130 guineas), and Sarchodou (95 guineas) were passed in, Sir Qeo. Clifford offered 200 guineas for Somerled, but no business resulted. •