SALE OF MARTARA

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 70, 24 March 1937, Page 13

SALE OF MARTARA

BIG FOUR-FIGURE PRICE

Following negotiations that have recently been pending, the three-year-old Martara is reported from Auckland to have been sold. The buyer is not disclosed, but it is. believed that the chestnut's destination is to be India, as previous purchases by the same agency have been on behalf of Indian clients. . The price is stated to be 3000 guineas. , ~ Martara was to have been sent nortn to Auckland today to be handed over to the agents of the purchaser. _ Martara has been a rare bargain oi the sale ring. So little was thought of him when he was paraded before the astute yearling judges at the National Sales two years ago that he was bought on behalf of Messrs. A. and A. Harrison, of Auckland, for only 20 guineas. His owners did not care to race him, and Mr. C. W. Boyd, of Palmerston North, secured him while still a yearling on lease for three years. He was prepared as a two-year-old by W. M. Bennett, of Woodville, who was instrumental in developing him, and this season G. W. New, of Awapunr, received him in his team and brought him into fame. His. wins have been in the Maiden Stakes at Masterton, Novice Handicap at Trentham, Trial Stakes at Bulls, Bolton Handicap at Woodville, Douro Cup at Trentham, Summer Handicap at Trentham, Taranaki Cup, Rangitikei Cup, and Autumn Handicap at Trentham, besides which he ran second in the St. Leger to Wild Chase. . ~ Mr. Boyd raced Martara under the lease till after his Taranaki Cup win, but that success enabled the gelding to "buy himself." Martara would undoubtedly have been sold previously, and probably for 1000 guineas, if difficulties had not arisen under the lease about how the purchase price should be apportioned. The lease thus turned out to be a blessing in disguise. In his career to date Martara has won nine races, and been once second, and the stakes he has collected m gross amount to £2085, of which £1325 was earned on the Trentham course. His original owners participated an_tne winnings till after the Taranaki Cup. He was bred by Mr. J. Porter, of Little River, who always has had great faith that his- Martian stallion Martarma would some1 day be found leaving good horses.