DEATH OF A STALLION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 179, 6 August 1901, Page 3

DEATH OF A STALLION.

A RECENT IMPORTATION. [By Telegraph Press Association.] Auckland, last night. Messrs Nathan suffered a serious loss yesterday by the death of the recently imported stallion Fitzsimons. A post mortem made by Mr Halstead ascertained that death was due to rupture. Fitzsimons was the 4-year-old son of the celebrated St. Simon, and was purchased in England in May last.

The Auckland Herald of Saturday thus referred to the arrival of the stallion : Fitzsimons, the St. Simon sire purchased in England by Mr L. D. Nathan for the Sylvia Park Stud, reached Auckland on Sunday last by the s.s. Pakeha,

but it was not until Wednesday that he arrived at his new home at the Otahuhu estate. The apartment in which the son of Simon made the voyage of 16,000 miles across the sea was not a very spacious one, as its dimensions were only 9ft. by 64ft., and from this it may be inferred that the animal was on his legs for 57 days. Taking this circumstance into account, Fitzsimons presented a very much better appearance when landed than might have been expected. In colour, Fitzsimons would at present be described by most people as a bay or brown, but he is, to my way of thinking, nearer the latter than the former. Inspecting a horse after a long sea voyage is hardly fair to the animal,

but Fitzsimons did not fail to make a favorable impression when his clothing was removed at Halstead’s stables. I should say that he stands over 16 hands, and when he makes up into stallion estate will, I opine, be of commanding appearance. If there was one thing that struck me about Fitzsiiuons’ anatomy as being different to that of his relatives, it was the shape of his head. The St. Simons, as a rule, show a deal of quality in their headpiece. but Fitzsimons’ knowledge-box is of a plain stamp; still, it is of an intelligent order, and the breadth of his forehead is quite satisfactory. It is intended to use Fitzsimons as a sire this season, but he will bo limited to ten marcs. On the day that Fitzsimons was landed at Auckland, news came to hand that his three-year-old full brother Lauzun won the St. James’ Palace Stakes of 24o0sovs on the third day of the Ascot meeting, and that little piece of information, it need hardly be said, was received with much satisfaction by the owners of the Sylvia Pari; Stud.