LATE MR. W. HOMES

Evening Post, Volume CCXV, Issue 13, 17 January 1938, Page 13

LATE MR. W. HOMES

VETERAN TRAINER'S DEATH

The death of Mr. William Homes at Parewanui, Bulls, last week, removed one of the best-known racing identities of the Rangitikei district. The funeral on Friday was a large and representative one. The casket was draped with a Maori feathered mat, Mr. Homes having always been a great friend to the Natives.

Born in Blenheim 68 years ago, the late Mr. Homes served his apprenticeship under the "Father of the New Zealand Turf," the late Mr. Henry Redwood, and later, with his brother Lewis, trained horses on a private track at Parewanui, the district then being one of the chief breeding centres of the Dominion. He later built large and commodious stables.

About 20 years ago Mr. Homes relinquished training and took up farming at Parewanui, but he continued to breed thoroughbreds, and his wellknown cherry and white hoops were sometimes seen out at hunt: meetings in the district, the last winner he produced being at the Manawatu Hunt Meeting held at Feilding about ten years ago. One of the best horses owned by Mr. Homes was Ngatuere, who, a year after winning the Wanganui Derby, was backed to win a fortune in Lady Zetland's New Zealand Cup. Mr. Homes's hopes and those of all Rangitikei were dashed to the ground early in the race when Ngatuere dropped dead.

Mr. Homes trained Lorelei, twice winner of the Manawatu Cup and winner of the Rangitikei and Foxton Cups. The late Utiku Marumaru had that consistent mare Rangipuhi in Homes's care when she won the Hawke's Bay and Rangitikei Cups. Another good performer was Toa, who dead-heated for first in the Rangitikei Cup with the late Ernest Morse's Bona Fide in 1900. With The Artist he won the C.J.C. Metropolitan Handicap, and Umslopagaas scored a brilliant win in the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase. That very fine sprinter Tupuhi, as well as Lady Spec, Sabreur, and a host of other good performers were brought to the top of their form to win for the Homes stable at Bulls.