THE STUD FARMS OF MARLBOROUGH.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXI, Issue 221, 21 September 1895, Page 3

THE STUD FARMS OF MARLBOROUGH.

On a beautiful Spring morning one day during the current week, the writer of these lines proceeded to the farm of Mr G. Sheridan, Old Renwick Road, on a visit of inspection to see the blood stock there located, more particularly the King Cole- Amy colt, whose praises he had heard sounded by more than one good judge during the week. Thecountry at this time of the year looks it best, clothed m it most verdant hues ; and as the soil cannot, hereabouts, be surpassed m the wide world, the crops of peas, beans, oats, etc, promise, with a continuance of the fine weather we are now enjoying, an abundant yield for the hard-worked farmers. A walk of some three miles through this beautiful country brought me to the homestead of Mr George Sheridan — perhaps the greatest enthusiast on thoroughbreds and their breeding to be found m the Colony. Mr Sheridan's holding consists of about 90 acres m the richest part of the district, and on my arrival he gave me a most cordial and hospitable reception. The colt that I was so desirous of seeing was running m a small paddock adjoining his stable, and the first glance over him pleased me much, more particularly as' he is as like as two peas to an old favorite the King Cole— My Ideal horse-^Nelson conformation, and everything excepting color, being an exact counterpart of the old horse as I first knew him. He is a bright bay with black points, and considering he was not foaled before the month of November, is an exceedingly well-grown youngster for his age, standing somewhat over 15.1 hands high, and as handsome and full of quality as could be desired. The defunct King Cole invariably marked his stock with the most beautiful tops imaginable, and this last of his is certainly no exception to the rule, he having a magnificent back and loins, supplemented wfth powerful muscular drooping quarters, a splendid forehand, and his shoulders beautifully set on to a strong muscular neck,, big strong hocks and legs, looking v,a though forged of the best wrought steel. With such a conformation and an undeniable pedigree, this colt looks capable of great things. Like St Simon, his pedigree is singularly conspicuous m the absence of Touchstone blood, the Whalebone line being almost entireiy represented by the Sir Hercules branch of the family. In fact, St Simon and the colt are bred very much alike m many respects, for, besides the above, the Voltigeur and and Voltaire lines of Blacklock occur m each m almost equal ratio, supplemented with that of Nell, daughter of Blacklock. The King Tom and Vedette blood is also apparent m equal proportions, as is also that of lon and Bay Middleton, the whole arranged m both pedigrees m nearly a similar manner. What could be more complimentary? seeing, as most readers are aware, St Simon is the greatest sire of the present time m the world! In a neighboring paddock the dam was running, looking the picture of health, but doubtful if m foal to the Louis dOr horse Meridian. This is a great pity as this beautifully bred young sire thus loses a grand chance of making his name known, and such an opportunity does not often occur to untried young sires. Amy's foal of last year is a chestnut son of Louis dOr and looks like the makings of a useful horse, and takes after the Traducer characteristics. The mare Her Ladyship with her Louis dOr 8-year-old filly Pinmoney and 2-year-old colt and yearling filly by Catesby, belonging to Mr Ross, are also on the farm. With a few lines further on the trotting stallion, Pirate, I will conclude the present article. The Australian bred-trotting sire, Pirate, recently introduced into this Colony by Mr Sheridan on behalf of a Blenheim syndicate is just the sort of horse most needed to improve the class of carriage horses and hacks of the district. He is a beautiful golden chestnut with white hind fetlocks and blaze down face, standing, 1 should guess, somewhat under 16 hand high and of beautiful quality and extremely handsome, but perhaps a little deficient of bone for a horse of his class. On breeding lines, however, his pedigree reads of the most distinguished lineage. Pirate was tried very fast (a quality I can readily believe, after seeing his action — even m a small yard), but owing to an accident was never raced. In the show rhag, however, he defeated all comers, including his brother, the high priced Era. As showing the high esteem m which Pirate was held by breeders m Australia, the owners of the noted mare Kentucky Maid (dam of Olsterie, three mile champion m Australia) mated his mare with Pirate. The result was a filly, which if breeding goes for anything, should some day make her sire known to fame. The inspection of stock completed, m the course of a stroll round the farm Mr Sheridan informed me that an own sister to his King Cole colt was away m Nelson, being trained by Mr Redwood, and that after her racing career the filly will come back into his hands and go to the stud. Talking of horses and their performances and pedigrees, the day and evening passed away quickly and pleasantly, and early next morning my hospitable entertainer drove me back to town extremely well pleased with a most enjoyable visit.