DE GROOT'S HORSE DEAD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19372, 9 July 1937, Page 13

DE GROOT'S HORSE DEAD

FORMER RACEHORSE PART IN BRIDGE INCIDENT SYDNEY, June 24. The chestnut gelding which was ridden by Mr. F. De Groot, when he cut the ribbon at the opening of the Sydney harbour bridge, died in the following vear. This was ascertained yesterday, form the owner, to whom the animal was returned by Mr. De Groot after the bridge incident. The chestnut was a favourite hack among members of the owner's family. One day the owner himself rode it, and the gelding fell, and had to be destroyed. The owner, who has little interest in racing, did not concern himself with the antecedents of the gelding when he purchased it. lie simply noted that the animal was a thoroughbred, and that it had raced. Mr. Lamb, K.C., a well known racing authority, who saw the gelding afterwards, recognised the brand on it as that of a well-known breeder. Interest in the geldine was revived recently when a bronze model of the animal was produced by Mr. Lamb, K.C., in the Supreme Court, for purposes of, demonstration in an action concerning the racehorse Mala. Mr. Lamb explained that the statue was given to him by Mr. De Groot,

"as a memento of certain happening;; on Sydney Harbour Bridge some years ago," and that it had since occupied a prominent place in his chambers.