THOROUGHBRED BREEDING

Southland Times, Issue 23179, 21 April 1937, Page 10

THOROUGHBRED BREEDING

PART OF SIRE AND MARE STOCK OF ST. SIMON Every now and again the argument crops up as to which parent plays the most important part in the making of the thoroughbred. Several breeders of long experience regard the mare as being of the greatest importance, and so does that prolific writer on thoroughbreds, Friederich Becker, the man who discovered the “rapid deterioration of the English race-horse” so many years ago, though the said English animal is still able to hold his own, and a little over for good measure, with the best that France and America can produce. Said Becker in an article of more than two years ago: “While admitting the important part a sire plays in the creation of a race-horse, it will be conceded generally that the dam exercises a greater influence upon his constitution and temper, and I hope to prove to rhe satisfaction of my readers that a successful sire derives his excellence principally from the combination of certain female lines in his pedigree.” In answering Friederich Becker’s contention, a leading authority on the breeding question says: “Whether sire or dam plays the most important part in the making of a race-horse, there is no disputing the fact that a really great sire will be found year after year either first or second in the winning sires’ list. St. Simon,- for instance, headed the English winning stallions for seven years in succession, and subsequently on two other occasions. Was it the mares who placed him on that pedestal, or was his phenomenal speed (he was never beaten) the reason for bis success? Becker would give credit to the mares, no doubt” The real reason why the Galopin—St. Simon line was such a tremendous success was no doubt due to the great vitality of both horses, particularly St. Simon. It has been said that a St. Simon horse could be got to race without taking him out for a walk. In one year the returns of racing in England after the so-called decadence of the line showed that, no fewer than 80 per cent of the principal winners were inbred to St. Simon or Galopin.

REPORT DENIED SALE OF MAYPAY TO AGA KHAN (Special to The Times) WELLINGTON, April 19. The story of the sale of Maypay, a sister to Autopay, for 3000 guineas to the Aga Khan has been received in some circles in Wellington as sensational news. Maypay was owned by Messrs Aitken and Wood, of Wellington, who successfully raced Autopay. They exchanged the mare, who was a failure as a racing proposition, for a colt, with Mr J. J. Corry, of Blenheim. At Mr Corry’s dispersal sale some time ago Maypay was purchased by a representative of a British blood stock agency for £l9O. She was left in charge of Mr C. E. Robertson, of Wellington, to be mated with Phaleron Bay, to American time, when she will be sent to the United States. She will then be mated with Black Pony, a highly rated sire, and sent to England. Since being purchased, Maypay has produced a colt by Lord Warden. To a special correspondent of The Southland Times, the purchase of Maypay by the Aga Khan for £3OOO was denied by an authoritative source. The mare was still in the country, and was at Wanganui, where she would be mated with Phaleron Bay next month—to American time.

Maypay, who is by Paper Money (imp.) is out of a mare boasting Thrush blood close up in her pedigree, and the value placed on the blood of this sire where matrons are concerned, is the reason she was purchased for England.

it was mentioned that while the Paper Money mare was purchased for England, where she would probably change hands, there appeared little truth in her reported sale at £3OOO.

WELL-BRED ROYAL BOND

TO RACE AT OTAUTAU

(By

“Bingen”)

An interesting nomination for the Otautau Racing Club’s meeting is Royal Bond, by Worthy Bond from a Wrack mare. To the reader this conveys nothing unusual, but behind the name of the Wrack mare is disclosed breeding second to none in Southland. This Wrack mare is a half-sister to Logan’s Mission (dam of Grand Mogul), Wild Nita (dam of Dark Hazard), and Happy Knight. She produced in 1930 the illfated Happy-Go-Lucky (by Happy Voyage) who, it will be remembered was burnt to death with his stablemate Tarragona at Winton in 1933. Happy-Go-Lucky, a three-year-old at the time of his death was responsible for three brilliant wins, a double at Wairio where he took a record of 2.51 for the mile and a-quarter saddle, and at Invercargill he won the mile saddle and also took a record of 2.15 2-5. A New Zealand Cup horse was the future predicted for the Happy Voyage colt and a short time before his death, his owner was offered £6OO for him but knowing his capabilities he refused to sell.

The Wrack mare, from Wild Queen by Wildwood jun., from Regina Bell, has also produced Anna Wong by Erin’s King, a three-year-old who is at the present time in Canterbury and will make her debut at the coming Amberley meeting. Royal Bond is a well grown two-year-old gelding and a particularly fine pacer. As he is built on aristocratic lines and claims an engagement in the next Sapling Stakes, his appearance at Otautau will be watched with great interest as it is seldom that the public have witnessed a two-year-old perform in Southland To the writer’s mind, the only two-year-olds that have started in Southland are Sunstorm, Happy-Go-Lucky and Eighteen Carat. It is reported that several large offers have been made for the Worthy Bond gelding, but, however, he still remains in the care of the Winton trainer, F. Langford.

GOLF

QUEEN’S PARK LADIES’ CLUB The weekly match of the Queen’s Park Ladies’ Golf Club was played in fine weather yesterday afternoon. It was a sealed hole match, and in conjunction with it a Scott Cup round was played. In the former the best cards were: Senior division, Mrs Macgregor, 57_9J—47J; Mrs Stalker, 55—71—47 J; Mrs Smart, 58—101—47|. Mrs Macgregor won on the count back. Junior division, Mrs Carter, 51—11| —39£. Mrs Carter also had the best Scott Cup round, her score being 93—23—70. She thus earned a reduction of five in hqr handicap.