SELLING OUT?

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 982, 27 May 1930, Page 12

SELLING OUT?

REPORTED SALE OF WESTMERE STUD HOME OF CHIEF RULER A Weflirgtui: writer states tiiat he learned on good authority that Mr. John Donald, of the Wostmers Stud, is withdrawing from the business for health reasons, and his big establishment will come up for auction. Mr. Donald has had a great year with the stock of Chief Ruler, and Diacquencd has also brought Westmere into prominence. He also lias the imported sires Grand Knight and Captain Bur.sby as well as a good collection of brood mares. If Mr. Donald persists in ixis present intention, the sale should attract widespread attention, concludes the Wellington scribe. So far as can be ascertained, however, Mr. Dona d has not, as yet, made a definite pronouncement for publication.

SAW THE NATIONAL SOUTHERN SPORTSMAN’S COMMENTS Mr. J. M. Samson, of Dunedin, writes to a Dunedin critic, “Sentinel,” saying that he went to Liverpool to see the Grand National Steeplechase. He travelled by a train that left at 7.55, and got back at 10.45 p.m., a 480-mile trip to see the world-famous steeplechase. Mr. Samson intends to see the Derby and then leave for America. The totalisator in England, he says, is run on very crude lines. Tickets can only be bought for each horse at certain windows, horses 1 to 9 first window, 10 to 17 second window, and so on. If No. 3 was favourite the punters are therefore all pushing into the one window. The special train takes two hours and three-quarters to travel the 120 miles from London to Liverpool, so that the two days’ racing means a rush of 480 miles; but it is described as the best meeting that Mr. Samson has attended during his extensive travels. Mr. Samson will have a world-wide experience of racing when he returns, as lie has been attending meetings in England. France, Germany, Italy, and other parts of the Continent, and will no doubt make a point of seeing some racing and light-harness sport during his travels in America.