THE LATE MR ALLAN M'LEAN,

Otago Witness, Issue 2323, 8 September 1898, Page 36

THE LATE MR ALLAN M'LEAN,

The New Zealand Mail's notice of this breeder's death reminds one of several points of interest in his connection with the turf. Hero (by Maribyrnong — Queen Bee), Javelin, The Mute, Patriarch, Lord of the Isles, Rubina, Epicure, C4eneral Thornton, and Crawfurd Priory were amongsa those imported by Mr M'Lean, as well as the Norfolk trotting stallion, Sorenader's Double and the Arab horse Crusader. Patriarch got any number of good ones, as did The Mute, whose progeny have proved so successful of late yeai-3 in all departments of the turf. Rewi, the first Eavvlie'o Bay Guineas winner, was by Hero, as '

was Kingask, who won in the nomination of Mr M'Lean. General Thornton, who was not a great success under colours, was half-brother to the celebrated Lochiel 'who came out at the head of the 'winning sires in Australia last season. As much as 500gs was paid by Mr M'Lean for Lord of the Isles, who has produced some fair performers. Rubina, bought at the same time, made a name for herself on the turf when racing under the colours of Mr Dan O'Brien, and she is known as the dam of Florrie, Launceston, and Rubin, a New Zealand Cup candidate. Mischief, Fredrica, Swindle, Virginia Water, Smeorach, Serpentine, Louie, and a great many others found a place in Mr M'Lean's stud. The tartan jacket of the squire of Tuki Tula was always very popular with the public, but of late years it disappeared from view, its owner relinquishing active participation in racing altogether. His mare Louie effected a sensational win in the Napier Handicap in 1882. She had started and won the Maiden Plate, and Mr M'Lean was going to scratch her The distance of the race was then a mile and threequarters, and her owner never for a moment dreamt that she would last it out. Before he reached the secretary's office, however, Mr M'Lean was accosted by a Napier banker who asked him what chance Louie had. " None at all," was the reply; "I am going to scratch her." "You had better start her to oblige me; I have a hundred aboiit her," said the banker. " Well, I'll start her, but she has not a hundred to one chance," remarked Mr M'Lean, who then had her saddled up. Connoisseur* laughed at the idea of Louie having any &or of a show; but when she came away in tho scraight, assisted by her light weight (6.8), t.xere was not a sound heard on the courjo except the joyful exclamations of the pencilling fraternity who then plied their call ing in tiie Hastings enclosure. Louie paid a dividend of £259 per £2 ticket. Mr M'Lean did not have a penny on her, and was as much surprised as anybody at the result of the race.