DARK SHADOW'S ANCESTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 153, 26 December 1936, Page 6

DARK SHADOW'S ANCESTRY

The mare Lobelia, grandam of Dark Shadow, was secured by Mr. G. W. Vercoe, of Hamilton, over forty years ago. and he is still breeding from her offspring. Though practically nothing is known about her, except that she was by Albert, a brother to the Auckland Cup winner Leopold, she has been Responsible as a matron for some excellent racehorses, and she has started a line that may yet become a notable acquisition to the newer colonial families that must tecnnically be described as . half-bred. On a previous search no reference could be found concerning the racing career of Lobelia, and the only Lobelia ever registered was one in the South Island in 1912. However, Mr. H. E. Vercoe, son of Mr. G. W. Vercoe, writes that the Lobelia who is ancestress of Dark Shadow was raced in the days before registration was necessary. The only meetings at which she ran were the Bay of Plenty gatherings, and she proved herself a useful staying mare. In 1898 she won the Tauranga Cup, 1J miles, the Bay of Plenty Stakes, 1.1 miles, and the Publicans' Handicap, 1} miles, during the two days of that meeting; and the following year she was second in the Cup and then again won the two mile and a quarter events. From the time she first began racing she was described as aged and simply as a mare by Albert.

In his letter, Mr. Vercoe, jun., writes, inter alia: —

"Concerning the ancestry of Dark Shadow, unfortunately we ourselves know little of his earlier ancestry. His grandam. Lobelia, was a black mare by Albert. All that is known of Lobelia's dam is that she was a fine-looking mare that had originally come off Ormond's station. "Lobelia was raced around about the Bay of Plenty, performing very creditabfy in distance events. She had the reputation of being an exceptional stayer. At the stud she produced that wonderful jumper El Gallo to Spalpeen, Lady Lobelia to the same sire, Miss Lobelia to Musketry, and Madam Lobelia to Bunyan (a half-brother to Danube).

"As a matron Lady Lobelia produced the dual Grand National Steeplechase winner Wiltshire, Trowbridge, and Wilton, all to Day Comet. Miss. Lobelia was sold when Mr. T. Wilson and my father dissolved their partnership some years back, and all trace of her was lost.

"Madam Lobelia produced Lady Faithful to Archiestown, Dark Shadow to Leighton, and Forest Acre to Acre. Forest Acre is owned by Messrs. T. C. and H. W.,Wilson, sons-of Mr. T. Wilson. Lady Faithful is the dam of L'Allegro and Allegretto, both of whom are by Day Comet.

"Miss Lobelia, Madam Lobelia, and Lady Faithful were never raced."

Madam Lobelia is being bred from by Mr. Vercoe and by Messrs. Wilson in alternate years under an arrangement made when the former partnership was dissolved. ,

Mr. H. W. Wilson writes that he believes Forest Acre, who is now three years old, may also turn out above the average, but it will take time. Madam Lobelia's present foal, owned by the brothers, is a colt by an unnamed horse who was by Day Comet out of a Spalpeen—Repetition mare. The colt's sire was bred by Mr. T. Wilson and was never raced. Madam Lobelia is now in foal to Foxbridge, an import--ed stallion by the Son-in-Law horse Foxlaw.