DEATH OF GREAT BINGEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 122, 25 May 1945, Page 8

DEATH OF GREAT BINGEN

Great Bingen, the Dominion's record stake winner and' an idol of the trotting tracks 20 years ago, died at Roydon Lodge, Christchurch, on Wednesday. He was rising 26 years! Great Bingen was bred by the late Mr. E. X. Le Lievre, and was sold to, Mr. J. R. McKenzie, who raced him I for eight years, during which time he won many of the best class races in the Dominion, though he never succeeded in winning a New Zealand Cup. On one occasion he fought out a terrific duel with Peter Bingen in the Cup race, but lost the decision by a very fine margin. He recorded many gallant performances from back marks, one being to win the Duke of York Handicap at the Royal Meeting at Addington. On this'track in 1928 he paced a mile in 2.4 4-5, a 'fine performance at that time. Gr v eat Bingen was by Nelson'Bingen from Berthabell, an imported mare who left many fine light-harness performers among them Great Bingen's fullbrother, Peter Bingen. Great Bingen sired many winners, but none of them approached his own great class. He won £13,000 in stakes, a sum that stands as the individual record for the Dominion.