BREEDING FIRST-CLASS HORSES IN THE SOUTH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3399, 7 May 1919, Page 42

BREEDING FIRST-CLASS HORSES IN THE SOUTH.

Dear "Sentinel,” —I have been for years & keen and interested reader of your notes in the Otago Witness, and must say I enjoy them very much. Ton seem to have a thorough grip of the breeding of the noble thooroughbred, and wield your pen to great advantage to those in the business. In last week’s Witness you refer to the breeding of thoroughbreds in Southland, and say that Southland has yet to produce a “real top-notch racehorse.” Southland has certainly not done so yet, but that docs not say that it cannot be done. The climate of Southland is not nearly so rigorous as- that of England, and yet England is the homo of the thoroughbred. Every known country in the world has to send to the Old Land for stallions and sometimes mares to keep up their studs to something like a decent standard. If Southland has not succeeded in raising a first-class racehorse, wo must look for some other cause than the climate. So far Southland could not boast of a first-class sire or dam, and yet it has produced some decent horses, and the wonder is that the south has turned out so many decent horses with the sires at the disposal of breeders. Mr W. T. Hazlett seems to bo going on right lines in securing two such beautifully bred mares as Sprig of Erin and Simper. It will not he surprising if such mares do produce a champion yet, even though their stock bo roared in Southland.

Thero isnot sufficient inducement given by tho racing clubs to breeders by way of offering good stakes or classic races. The clubs are catering too much for races that will produce revenue from tho "tote."

But who arc to produce the horses if some encouragement is not given? Most men in the breeding lino arc in for a hobby, and don't care much if there is not much profit in it; but they cannot face a loss time after time if there is no hop© of recovery. I hope I have not written at too much length, but I feel interested in the subject you introduced, and have _ had arguments on the subject many a time. Your own able pen might help to push Southland along as a breeding-ground for the noble animal. —I am, etc., Interested Reader. April 25.