CHOKEBORE STABLES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 13, 20 February 1914, Page 2

CHOKEBORE STABLES.

;, THEOLRitfIDTHENEW. LARGEST SINGLE BUILDING IN NEW ZEALAND. SPLENDID ACCOMMODATION FOE THOROUGHBREDS. Though it is only three weeks ago since the old Chokebore stables were destroyed by fire, already the framework of a new structure stands in j their place. , v 6hly by dint of hard work has this metamorphosis been effected, and everything going well, the Chokebore team, which for some time past has been as scattered as the twelve tribes of Israel, will be rehabilitated under: one roof again. " *,iWhen completed, "the Hew structure " will be of a''decidedly imposing • ap- - pearanee. The ground floor will be v 130 ft in length by 44ft in breadth, while from base to ridgeboard the front of the building will be 26ft at its highest part. As a matter of fact, less than half the inside space of this ; large structure -will be taken up-by , the 20vboxes, for right ' down the -, centre will run a; broad passage-way and" 'extending as high as f'~^"tiife ¥bofyf On ventilatfir, is open'* ~ehd, range the score of boxes, 10 on ; each side. of thelitis 12flPijjr lift- 4in, and the £op part t will have free access to v.'.:- :$M flfey are t only to f Mq of some 12ft. ■<}■■■; Y PLENTY OF SPACE.; v A S(A|in^|eaeh, box'will have a uiHwtlw ta ;: the'passageway, also a window r facing, outward, that opened !:will bribg'in£a current of aif-to the-passage: '" They are ;;all to be 4 each manger;,will be w?ith feed room, A better ventilated building .has -fei.'•D^er-lcbme'-^nder^tne ;; notice at any racing establishment, Either, in ■"'".<,. Hew Zealand or Australia, for witth, ! the general scheme ; fif; a.; current down the huge centre passage-way,, ; and cross! currents 1 "over thejtop.pf box, there T.will always, be, a splendid air circulation, witfiout; ~]Jae least chance of draught in the-'sleeping '•■/■.apartments.. y ..>. ■ ,->,..-«..<■: *■?. ' ■;.. ,;, /.* The. boxes all ojpen ; to «the; central. the floor of which 7 will be. '-composed 7 W'tarred cl'ay. c x w'^'i; 1 AMPLE INTERIOR EQUIPMENT., >■■.■>■■•■-:'..■ ...-:' . ~' ■ «■■*. .■:>■•—•■ ;* ■•■ ■ ■' ' * 'The general i of the stable include ample arrange- ",_■ - *»ients,| a §ene*al; feed special steef-lilteS # o&t roomj ;4 - an* private room.' At each.end \ of the '•-'■ building will be a fancy gable, jvhile the roof will .be,,of iron, Alj;oge£)!eri the ; '}. eta\SlQ. will? lajrgestVsingle; building in Nettf Zealand; "giving aceammoda- £ tion to 20 horses, while four or five can be housed in an adjacent building x that escaped the V! all xouiid it is while its fine appearaaeie iin f|ace- -.>.. speedy construction reflects eveJrV credit Mr.Eoy s,jmd : Mr W\ H. Jhe.builder. " THE LODGE. To trace the lustpry "of Chokebore Lodge would practically mean review l 'i-.h ing the Turf history ■ of Canterbury. ;: - Originally a few boxes at that famous -. ' spot were owned by the late Mr Henry ' "; Redwood, well known as the Father of \ the New Zealand Turf. Anyone gazing .'.. ■• ; -;i'<>B. the ample proportions of the present proprietor, genial '' Ted '' Cutts, would lf have a difficulty in associating him P"' ; *with race riding, yet on arriving from : " 'England in the early sixties he took 7 engagement with Mr Redwood as first jockey, and won quite a number of racesin that good sportsman's colours. Some >"of his • successes were attained against the pick of Australia's horsemen. However, increased weight 'at length told the inevitable' tale, an'd Cutts joined " ;'forces with his previous employer as a "trainer, doing a lot of travelling with, racehorses, both in New Zealand and : ■ in the Commonwealth. To the present generation of race- ;■•* • goers, such names as those of Manuka, ■ ! Peeress, Lurline, Calumny, Mata, r Longlands, and Natator'may not carry '•the same "raana" as those borne by later-day champions, but they still • ♦hold an enviable position in the memory of the fast decreasing band '_;' who witnessed their prowess. A VETEEAN TRAINEE. It "was in 1875 that Mr Cutts purchased Chokebore Lodge from Mr Redwood, and he has remained in continuous possession ever since. To give a full list of the horses that have received their education at Chokebore under Mr ,' Cutts' mentorship would occupy '• columns of space. Brief mention may ."'' be made, however, of Sir with whom he won the C.J.C. and D.J.C. 0 Ghampagne Stakes, C-J.C. Derby, and Dunedin Cup for Mr D. Campbell, and 1 later in different ownerships raced witli 1 signal success both in New Zealand and Australia. "NELSON'S BOX." Major George's great racehorse, Nelson, was one of the subsequent ones that brought Cutts increased fame as a trainer. Three Auckland Cups, a Dun- . edin Cup, a Wellington Cup, and innumerable, minor, handicaps all came the way of what was probably + he greatest handicap horse ever race 3 in the Dominion, and i who, on the conclusion of his career of was presented to his old-time trainer. Till, only a few 1 years ago the champion occupied a box at Chokebore,. where he ever treated as an honoured guest. Strange v- to say that box,, being separated from the main stables, escaped destruction, : and is still pointed out as "Nelson ; s 1 8QX. , , , Nelson < was the last horse '-. -' ever exploited • the Australian v :> Turf with, and that' he just< failed to

land the: Australian Cup, and, incidentally'one best of £SOOO to £IOOO, is still ascribed to the fact of Brown losing his whi|) when challenged by Trident. I- A'HOME OF WINNERS. Subsequently Ravenswing, July, Wapati, Nautilus, Somnns, Pygmalion and Cynisca in ' various; ownerships helped to sustain the reputation of Chokebore as a home of winners, a reputation'that has by" no means depreciated since'Cutts took over the,; sole supervision of. Sir George Clifford's racing te.am §pme twenty years ago. During that: time nearly-every event of importance associated with the New Zealand : ' : turf.. has ' fallen to horses, trailed by Cutts and /owned; by the sporting- Amongst 'the notable bearers ;6f tHe;;. ; '.blue ,and. gold chequers were two sons of Bill of.Portland' 'and Quarryman, bothof ■ .stud; fame to an enviabiei.r.acing careerv tClanranald was usefulness,'who begot such^brijlliant, racehorses ...-..as :'■ Masterpiece, I -Fleetf oot,' Kirri 'Glenculioch^,. ..Flitaway,.. ... Glcnowlet, r , .Golden ( Vein,. ..and Guidwife,f 4 whiie /in. f more. Recent years Autumnusj "',-, ] C.dupterf eit> -.■ 1 Nightwatch, and Sro,wn r ,Owl,haye done equally well on - There areno 1 unfurled on the New Zealand..turf•-,than those of Sir.' George, Clifford,, and; I; am sure it is the wish of every sportsman,that th--future bearers of themi .achieyevjust-such' a splendid reputation; ; . ir tne -new Chokebore establishment as, .their ■ predecessors, did for/the, old. • , ■■• "•■■''■'' s "iii.,,.-! "",;■*-,!:' '! " TEMPLA\R. ■ /;-;.' 'v ''v-' '" ';. '