AN AFTERNOON WITH THE ASCOT STUD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15169, 7 December 1912, Page 10

AN AFTERNOON WITH THE ASCOT STUD.

[BT PHAETON.]

To pay a visit to Mr. H. R. Mackenzie's stud at Ascot is always calculated to coax up the joyous spirit; and with the nun shining brightly on Wednesday last when I set out for the Mangere estate, a pleasant afternoon in looking . over the thoroughbreds which have tliei;.- homo on the shores of the Manukau was from the outsot quito assured. When an insoection of the stock came to lie undertaken the yoarlings were the first to come under review, and as a chestnut filly by Obligado from the Seaton Delaval maro Delania was led out a quality young lady was produced. Like her speedy relative Monoline, the filly in question is small in stature; but she is very nicely put together, and in appearanco she looks as sharp as the proverbial needle. Something of quito a different stamp was next produced in the shape of a sturdy brown filly by Ponury from Madame Soult, who, according to his owner, can already bo booked as the winner of the Avondale Stakes. It may be inferred from this that Madamo Soult's youngster has thus early shewn her ability to gallop. A bay filly by Penury from Lycia carries a promising appearance, and she looks like one that will make up into a decent sort. It was not hard to discern that the next ono to emerge from her box was of different breeding. This was a bay filly by Marble Arch from Errv Roc She is a well-grown youngster; but a very common head detracts I greatly from her appearance. A chestnut . tilly by Penury from Lady Gwcn can bo termed plain but promising, and the next few weeks will probably work a great improvement .in her. As the studgroom led out a commanding-looking dark brown filly 1 had no difficulty in guessing her identity straightaway as the daughter of Ponury and Lady Hester, who thus claims balf-sistcrship to that good performer Master Soult. Last year Ladv Hester's daughter stood out as ono of the finest foals of the season; and having furnished admirably in the interval, she is [ entitled to high honours in the yearling class. The 'brown filly possesses a sensible, wellshaped head, which is nicely set on to a good muscular neck. Her shoulders are all right, and a well sprung middle piece, to which are j hitched on powerful Quarters, causes her to stand out as a fine type of the thoroughbred. Good feet and legs arc a characteristic cf ! tho Penury tribe, and Lady Hester's youngI ster is so well served in this respect that everything points to her having an extended career. A better tempered filly than Master Soult's half-sister it would be difficult to discover, and she has the reputation of not knowing how to kick. The only colt amongst tho Ascot collection this year is a son of Penury and the Cyrenian mare Lady Flora. He is a solid, good-looking bay that promises to develop into a really nice kind of colt. Tho inspection of the yearlings concluded, Mr. Mackenzie had tho buggy in readiness so that I might pay a visit to the far paddocks, where the mares and foals were located. As wo reachod a luxuriant enclosure a dozen of the mares were browsing close together; and it was a beautiful sight a that met tho eye. As though to draw pointed attention, a bay marc followed by a sturdy bay foal struck out on a circular gallop. This was Erry-Roe and her filly by Penury. Erry Roe's filly foal by tho imported horso is entitled to a high place, and placed anywhere she would bo hard to beat. A chestnut colt by Penury from the Cymnian mare Cyirma also pleased greatly, as did a bay filly by Penury from tho Seaton Delaval mare Idas. The particular youngster in the paddock that I was most keen to find, however, was the colt by Elysian the St. Leger mare Lady Hester, who had beeu painted to me in very glowing colours. Tho little half-brother to Master Soult, it was pleasing to mo to find, filled the bill in ell respects. Elvsian enn certainly be given n high certificate for siring a really beautiful colt in his first season; and it is no surpriso to learn that Mr. Mackenzie sent Lady Hester back to the Soult horeo.

A brown head, from which peered out two intelligent, good-tempered eyes, was discerned through th© panel-opening of the stallion enclosure' when wo arrived back, and it was not hard to place the quadruped a3 Ponury. When the son of Gallinule's clothing was removed he was found to bo looking bright and well. Penury is tho same- composed horse ho was when he came to Auckland; and to_s<vo his owner vault on to his baro back without any reins is a striking illustration of what can bo don© with the thoroughly reliable, good-tempered horse, Rlysian, who had been enjoying his run in the open at the opposite side of tho estate, was led up for inspection at th© top of tho hill. The son of Soult has furnished nicely; and in his case there was also marked evidence of composure, for, without any semblance of playing-up, ho allowed himself to be mounted bareback. The foals sired by Elysian in his first season are a decided credit to the Soult horse: and if looks are any criterion th© C.J.C. Derby and Canterbury Cup winner is destined to keep up the family record at tho stud.