A VISIT TO THE GRASSLEA STUD

Otago Witness, Issue 2645, 23 November 1904, Page 50

A VISIT TO THE GRASSLEA STUD

There are no horses at present more in the sporting public's eye than those owned by Mr G. G v Stead, the president of the Canterbury Jockey Club, whose colours were carried with such conspicuous success at the recent New Zealand Cup meeting. The \ "boy in yellow" indeed proved a veritable j "will o' the wisp" a.s far as the other : owners were concerned, but the punting j public, which are staunch followers of the ! stable, fairly revelled in the good things provided, and finished the- meeting glad in \ spirit and rich in pockiet. .It was with an idea of reconnoitring the stronghold of the equine giants who have been proving so formidable in the joucts and tourneys of the turf arena that the writer recently found himseif tooling the ribbons behind a "hired" horse, and making in the direction of the Grasslca Stud, which is lorded by the well-known stallions, Multiform end Royal Aitillery. A fairly high wind and its accompanying dust did not altogether rob the drive of its pleasure, and in the fulness of time we arrived at the township of Yaldhurst, where we found Mr W. Franks, the stud groom of Grasslea, kindly waiting to escort us to the gates which give entrance to the paddocks where Martian, Sungod, Nightfall, and Co. learnt the rudiments of their education. The first. hoTse led out was the mighty Multiform, who proved himself such a great racehorse prior to his being shipped, to England. It was a trifle late in the season to see a stallion at his best, but the son of Formo was| found to be in splendid order, and looks and' comports himself as a beau ideal thorough 1 bred. He is a rich brown bay in colour, with 1 black points, and stands at a. guess well over 16hds. A particularly well-shaped and game-looking head is supported b,, a. good neck of fine rein. His shoulders arc nicely sloped, and a well-ribbed middlepiece terminates in muscular-looking quarters. He is a trifle sprung in front as a result of his campaigns on the turf, but taking him all round he presents an extremely rare combination of quality and power, and is as fine a type of horse as- one could wish to see. As far as general appearance gees h,e reminds one of the pictures of the famous St. Simon, albeit he appears a little lengthier than the son of Galopin, and' not fo loaded on the crest. During his turf career Multiform was never beaten except by his stable companion, Gold Medallist, and won over £6381 in stakes during the- three seasons he carried silk. . Multiform was handicapped at 9.8 as a four-year-old for the New Zealand Cup, which is the highest weight ever allotted io a horse of that age in the race. He did not start, but gave the track-watchers a taste of his quality prior to the meeting (at which he won the Canterbury Cup for the second time) by galloping 12 furlotigs in a shade over 2min 31-sec Avith the 'greatest of ease. Multiform, was undoubtedly one of the very best horses'* that has ever weed in Australasia, but whilst being shipped to England his subsequent career as a racehorse was wrecked by being fed on un thawed grass, which was given to the horse just a.s it was taken from the freezer. As, a result be had a severe attack of colic, and on being- put inio training in England he became affected in the respiratory organs. As far as can be gleaned it was as much bad management as ill-fortune that prevented the son of Hotchkiss giving the Britishers even a glimpse of his true form. He was sparingly used iv his first season after returning from the Old Country, but immediately proved his worth as a .sire, and to-day there is not a more promising stallion in Australasia. Behind his attractive individuality and brilliant performances Multiform boasts of a very stout pedigree. His granddam, Pulohra, was imported from England by Mr Stead, and the deed's of her d&scendants have made her name well known to students of breeding. She threw Lady Evelyn (a good winner, and dam of H&rmosa and Field Battery), St. Clair (a j good performer and sire), Formo (dam of Multiform, Uniform, and Forme), and Lebel, a good winner a.nd a fairly successful sire. It is also worthy of mention that Cruciform and Formosan belong to tho Pulchra family. Formosa, the dam of Pulchra. won the Ono Thousand' Guineas, Oaks, St. Leger, and l dead-heated m the Two Thousand Guineas, whilst her sire-, Rosiorucian, was both a gocd performer and &ire, who sold during his career a,t 11,500g5, one of the highest prices paid for a hcrse up to that time. Multiform was sired by Hotchkiss. one of the best of Musket's sons, and the blood which courses in his -wins strongly suggests that his stud successes are not the result of chance.

Royal Artillery, who was next inspected, is also a son of Hotchkhs. but a somewhat different, type of horse to Multiform. Ba is a rare-bodied sort, but although showing over all a good deal of quality he is a trifle deficient in bone for an animal carrying such astoutU-built top piece. On his dam's side

(Rose of Wtfliinigton. who threw True Blue and Srew Gun in addition to Royal Artillery) ho is somewhat inbred to Stockwell, a<3 through her ho picks up three strains of the "Emperor of Stallions" through St. Leger, Robir.son Crusoe, and Ruse of Der.mark. FLeurotte. the dam of Rose of Wellington, had, unfortunately, only two foals in this coloi y prior to being shipped to America, plttv being so!d at tLe dispersal of the N.Z. Stud Company — Bouianger, ai winner of many races, but a stud failure, being her other foal. Rose of Wellington. ■JS may to remarked in parenthesis, would) picbably mate very well with a good son of St Simon, as an infusion of Sfccckwell and St. Simon has produced many excellent results ill England. Royal Artilleiy, owing to beiug a difficult horse to train, li3d £ brief career on the turf, but those who knew him best have excellent rea c on« for stating ha v.t.s one of the speediest horses that lva-g ■ever raced in f'hig colony. He was too blpr to show his ical worth ad a youngster, but, nevertheless, he was handy to Field Battery when the latter ran five furlongs in the Pioneer Handicap in 60sec. As a three-year-old Le won six out of eight race*. He was defeated a short half Lead over four furloug3, run, in 47 3-ssec, by Blazer after one of the most exciting races ever seen afc Riccarlon, and in the Groat Northern Derby by his stable companion Mcn&chikofF. Royal Artillery in all started in 10 races, and won £2460 in prize-money He was then sient to> lliv paddock, but sufficient time has not yet clap-cd for his E,took to appear on the turf. Breeders, however, froeJy availed themselves of his services when he was placed at the disposal of outside owners.

There were three yearlings and two two-yews-olds xunniag in the paddocks, and of the former one that the writer was inclined to linger over was a v,-hole chestnut by Multiform, out of the imported Orvieto mare Stressa, whose dam, St. Mildred, was got by St. Simon. He is a well-grown, finely-furnished coil, and gives ample proof that there is no doubt that Multiform cau bestow size a3 well as quality o.a hid progeny. Amongst the two-ycar-olda is a particularly well-furnished MultifoiaiBloomer filly, and an attractive-looking- on& of the same sex got by Multiform of 3ellioent, and consequently sister to • Lady Lyoners. Those who talce the eye amongst i!^ splendid lot of brood mares are> Otterderu (dam of Martian and Sungod), who is a racyiooking bay, and at present has at foot a pledgo of affection to Multiform, which is one of the best ioals the writer h?s •ever seen; and Helen Faucit (by Castor, from Cksy, sister to Trenton), who clipped the wings of the flying Achilles the first time ih© son of Medal-ion sported silk. Helen Fauci fc has developed into a splendid type of brood mare, and on looks and breeding she would be an ornament to any stud in the world. La. Yaiiere, a sister to Nanette, is another tine stamp of a niare, and ?o are many of the other matrons, but descriptive space is evaporating. La Notte, the dam of Nightfall, is one of the >compact, bi,glittle sort, and one can see on looking her oyer where this year's Derby and Oaks winner gets a iot of her quality. Aura, the dam of Aurum, Auraria, and Golden Knight, was looked at with interest, but despite her great stud honours she takes matters very placidly, aa if producing oraek racehorse" weie a matter of no importance. A full list (which lias been augmented by tl'e purchase of the Gcscon — Wheel of Fortune mare Fan Tan, at the dispersal of Mr J. B. Reid's Canowai stud) of the mar&s. their foalings, i and service this season reads as follows: — Aura. (Richmond — Footstep, by Lord Clifden), colt to Multiform, and revisits him. Bluefire (Maxim — Sapphire, by The Drume mer), barren, and visits Multiform. Bellic&nt (Maxim — Enidi by Aprejnont), filly to Royal Artillery, and visits Multiform. Bloomer (Aprenioivt— Mis» Kate, by Adventurer), colt to Royai Artillery, and visits MultiI form. i Bntoness, Syr^ (Stepniak — Britcmarte, by [ Gorton), visits Multiform. Barley Bree (The Cardinal — Barley, by Barcaldine), filly to RoyaJ Artillery, and visits Multiform. Curfew Bell (Bill o' Portland— Wild Rose, by New-minster), fil'iy to 1 Multiform, and revisits [ him. Happy Valley (Wallace — Faraway, by Bill o' Portland), filly to Royal Artillery, and visits Multiform. I Helen Faucit (Castor — Cissy, by Musket), I filly to Multiform, and revisits him. j La Notte (Eindspord — La. Tosca, by Robinson Crusoe), barren ; visits Multiform. La. Yaiiere (Seaton Delaval — Charente, by Nordenfeldt), colt to San Francisco, and visits Multiform. Otterden (Sheen — Spring- Morn, by Spring"field), colt to Mfdutiform, and revisit 3 him. Stressa (Orvieto — St. Mildred, by St. Simon), barren), and visit's Royal Artilleiy. Saucer (Socerer— Angola, i'jy Mac-heath), coli to Multiform, and revisits him. 1 Sevres China, (Patron— Saucer, by Sorcerer), visits Multiform. Tres Belle Formo, by Sterlingworth), visits Royal Artillery. The training stable?, which at present shelter 25 horses, were not visited, but th& strength of the team and a glance through, the above list of mares and their foalings ■suggest that the yellow and black banner is likely to be as successfully carried in the future as it has been in the past. The list of marcs given above forms a valuable collection which are all in splendid order, with the exception of Tres Belle and Bloomer. The former has been an unlucky animal, and the latter carries a bad lag as the restilt of an accident, whilst Bellicent narrowly escaped the gun sorn© little time back. No great results have been obtained from Bluefire, who was a, great performer, in addition to being bred on rare lines. Stressa has not enriched' the Grusslea paddocks since she was imported from England., and it is to be hoped; that such a well-bred young mare will coon make amends for her lack of success up to date. To all those who have the true interests of the New Zealand thoroughbred at heart, it cannot be otherwise than gratifying to find Mr Stead with such ai splendid stud of horses as is to be found at present iv the Grasslea paddocks. No one connected with the turf in the colony has done so much as that gentleman to enrich our Stud Book, and incidentally make New Zeaknd famous as a country where the thoroughbred can be brought to a pitch of perfection. Some men are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have it- thrust upon, them, and, <so far as tbe sporting world is concerned, many people ainbvtk- z& vo sh^na as the owner of the winner of a, notable event have become great by paying large prices for horses whose ultimate success in a Derby or a Cup appeared to be a foregone conclusion ; others, by making a lucky purchase, have greatness thrust upon them by unexpectedly becoming the owner of a crack racehorse i but Mr G. G. Staad

may -be said to have achieved his present prominence in the sporting world by a vast experience and. an intelligent knowledge of the breeding and conforniation of the thoroughbred, and so it is all the more creditable that to-day he should own some of the best horses in Australasia. He ha* contributed in no small measure to the reputation New Zealand has gained as a producer of high-class horses, through being instrumental in bringing to the colony a great many of the foundation stones on which our Stud Book is built, and the descendants of some of the stock which he has imported have produced horses whose names are as well known as that of a popular brand of soap. Back in the seventies, according to the old stud books, Mr Stead is credited with the importation of many high-class and splendidly-bred mares, Amongst these were Titania (Crest— Queen Mab), "the dam of Puck, Howitzer, and Ijady Moth (the dam of Hohoro); Steppe {Saunterer — Seclusion), the dam of Russley, Xiady Norah, Too Soon, Tartar, She (dam of Bobadil), Stepniak, Mahaki, and Stepfeldt; Petroleuse (Oxford— Hartshorn), the dam of Hotchkiss; Nelly Moore (Voltigeur — Fickle), the dam of Loehiel ; Miss Laura (Trumpeter— Diadem), dam of Miss Stead (dam of Halberdier) and Town Moor ; Lovebird" (Macaroni— Better Half), dam of Leopold. St. Valentine, and Agnes; L' Orient (Knight' of the Crescent— Egyptian), dam of Aida (dam of Impulse and Uhlan), Mana, and Francotte; Lady Ravensworth (Volticeur—Lady Hawthorn), dam of Ravenscraig, Pusohka, Lord Raven, and Monaco; JFlorence Macarthy (Macaroni— Lady Morgan), dam of Tirailleur, Tire Jessie Macarthy, and others-; Fairyland (Orlando— El Dorado), dam of Rubezahl and Wonderland; Crinoline (Lord Lyon— Crmon), dam of Sternchaser, Clogs, and Bustle; and last. but not least, Pulchra, the daughter of Rosicrucian and Formosa, who produced Lady Evelyn (dam of Hermosa and Field Battery), St. Clair, Formo (dam of Multiform Uniform, and Formula), and Lebel. Forme (the dan? of Cruciform and ForjQOsan) Is also a daughter of Formo and grand-daughter of Pulchra, so it will be eeen that Mr Stead has a further reason to be gratified at the recent success of Cruciform Ir recent years Mr Stead has made further importations from England and Australia, and bred such cracks as Martian and Sungod, whose dam cost 800gs to land here, but from the above can be gleaned some idea of the value his early importations have proved to the colony. He imported the dans of Lochiel, Russley,. Hotohkres, Stepniak, and! St. Olair, who have proved to be some of the most successful sires that Australasia has known. The value of the abovementioned strains of blood to the. colony s Stud Book is inestimable and everlasting. As a breedeT Mr Stead also figures prominently in the Stud Book, and 1 although many winners may issue from the recentlyformed Grasslea stud paddocks, where he has- now such a choice collection of stock, some of his old-time successes are worthy of honourable mention. Amongst them were I^ochiel, Russley, Rubezahl, Bloodshot, Searchlight, St. Michael, Phaetbon, Bluefire, MannlioheT, Strowan, Corolla (dam of Gold Medallist), Dunfeeld, Musketry, Missfire, Lady Evelyn, Bellicent, Retina (dam of Glenogle), Black and Red, Mauser, Tres Sec, Gerainfe (dam of Heather- Bell and Dunkeld), Conqueror, Clogs, Ich Dien, Aida (dam of Impulse- and Uhlan), and many others. Mr Stead- has also been a liberal patron of the various stud farms throughout the colony, and" during-the past 10 or 12 years alone has expended well over £20,000 in the purchase of yearlings. The highest price he has ever paid for a yearling was the lWOgs, which. Boyal Artillery cost. Other high prices given for yearlings were: — Formosan, 850gs; and his sister Cruciform cost 325g5; Siege Gun cost 560gs; San Remo, 725g5; Machine Gun, 34-Qgs; Screw Gun, 775g5; Sant Ilario, 900gs; * Multiform, 215gs ; Menschikoff, 210gs; King Log, 620g«. Many other large figures have been paid by Mr Stead for yearlings which have failed to train or met with accidents, and have vanished' into semi-obscurity before returning- a penny of their heavy cost; but from the above ft will be seen that he has bee-n c good patron of the turf, and his recent triumphs have been more than well deserved.