SPORTING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 55, Issue 3925, 12 July 1937, Page 5

SPORTING NOTES

THE BREEDING INDUSTRY, SOME CHOICE SIRES IN WAIKATO. (By “Backwood.”) Never before have horse breeders in tlie Waikato had such a wide range cf choicely-bred sires to select from for the mating of their mares. Half a century ago there were one or two of outstanding merit, and at intervals since there have been such horses as Spalpeen, Quin Abbey, King Lupin, Marcavis, Sylvite, Little England. General Latour, Gay Shield, Illumination, and one or two others of lesser note, while at Morrinsville (and also at Te Rapa for a season or two) there were the imported horses, Day Comet and Archiestown. But look at the array of fashionably bred horses domiciled hero now: Bambury (Scherzo-Legality II) and Oration (Ciceroi-Elsie Hart), near Te Awamutu; Hazrat (Craig an Eran-Dux-ford) at Te Rapa; Hunting Song (Hurry On-Pasta) and Baffles (Bland-ford-Waffles) at Hillcrest, Hamilton; and Foxbridge (Foxlaw-Bridgemount) and Vermeer (Solario-Pilgrim’s Rest) at Pukekura, Cambridge. The writer was able lately to accept a long-standing invitation by Mr Seton Otway to inspect the two sires, at his “Trelawney” stud, and much admired both Foxbridge and Vermeer. Foxbridge has already proved himself a sire of attractive stock, and there is i. keen demand for his services. It may be mentioned that last year Sir Chas. Clifford sent two choicely-bred mares all the way from Canterbury, and apparently was pleased with the result, for this season lie has booked three other mares, including those good performers, Fracas and Wild Hind. Another owner from the south, Mrs Richmond, of Hastings, has arranged to send two highly-bred mares to Foxbridge, and it is probable that soon that horse’s list for the present, season will be full. Foxbridge is a quality looking horse, and his yearlings still at “Trelawney” resemble him in good looks, even though they have been paddock reared, and conse •quently were not seen well groomed. There is a black colt from the Lucullus mare Auriculus that appeals as well-grown and likely to make good as a galloper; a bay filly out of Fantastic (and therefore a grand-daughter of grand old Persis, the dam of about fifteen winners), a filly half-sister to tiiat good galloper Gay Blonde (from Lady Marie), and a bay colt, halfbrother to tlie champion Ammon Ra. With them was a colt by the imported sire Beau Pere, recently sold at Wanganui to an Australian studmaster. Of the five the one to make most appeal was Gay Blonde’s half-sister, with the Auriculus filly also admired. Foxbridge has a companion in the next stall—Vermeer, recently imported from England. This fellow is a rich chestnut, only three years old, that has surprised many sportsmen by iiis development since arrival about, six months ago. Vermeer now looks like developing into a really handsome stallion, and as his blood lines are splendid he should be afforded an excellent opportunity for making a good reputation for himself. There is plenty of staying blood in Foxbridge, his sire Foxlaw being one of the greatest stayers in England for many years, and being a son of the great Son-in-law (whose progeny won over £350,000) he is well recommended. Bridgemount is a descendant of Pretty Polly, and is the dam of Cresta Run, winner of important races. Practically all the best horses in England are represented in the blood lines of Foxbridge. Vermeer is a grandson of Gainsborough, whose blood is in great demand everywhere, while on his dam’s side iio lias the St. Simon and Martagon blood—sufficient for most breeders. Incidentally Mr Otway was fortunate in securing Vermeer at the time he did, for soon afterwards Mid-day Sun won the English Derby, and as that horse is closely related to Vermeer on both sides of the pedigree the “Trelawney" stud seems to have been lucky to get him. Hazrat introduces new blood to the Waikato breeding industry, for he is by the Sunstar horse Craig an Eran, winner in England of the Two Thousand Guineas, Eclipse Stakes, and St. James Palace Stakes, with earnings totalling over £15,000. Sunstar was by Amphion’s son Sundridge, and the dam of Hazrat was by the John o’ Gaunt horse Swynford, from Dark Flight, a grand-daughter of the Rosicrucian mare Illuminata, the ancestress of Night Raid (sire of Phar Lap) and Rossendale. Hazrat raced with success in England and Australia, and he had two and three old representatives racing successfully in New South Wales this season. “Hillcrest” Stud, where Hunting Song and Baffles are located, is almost an ideal stud, with all paddocking nicely sheltered with live hedges, and Mrs Gaine Carrington certainly made a wide choice in acquiring that property. Hunting Song is still a noble animal, looking every bit the aristocrat his breeding proves him to be. Though nineteen years of age and with representatives (two generations of them) racing with success all over tlie Dominion and in Australia, he is as jaunty and bright as any three year old, while his latest crop of foals compare very favourably with any seen elsewhere. In the breeding paddocks were such mares as Miss Edna (sister to Pink Coat), Crisis (sister to Gaycium), Smoke Concert, Etoile d’Or, Polydia, and a fine big rangy mare by Tractor (son of The Tetrarch), so that Hunting Song should be well represented in the future. Baffles is only a very recent arrival, but he has filled out noticeably of late, and takes the eye as a probable big stud success. It is interesting to note that Baffles, a half-brother to the English Derby winner Manna, was purchased as a yearling for 6000 guineas, but because he did not do well on the race track he was sold recently for export. Baffles is beautifully bred, and is regarded as of true Blandford type. Oration, located at Kihikihi, is too well known in this district to need much reference here. He was a very speedy galloper, with perhaps a win in tlie All-aged Stakes at Avondale as his best performance, and at the stud, with limited opportunities, he has sired horses with very great speed. The one best known here is Mr M. Ryan’s Orate. Bambury comes also from speedy stock, for his sire Scherzo was by the Oi by horse The Boss, and Legality (dam of Bambury) is a grand-daugh-ter of The Tetrarch and also of Myram. Noblesse Oblige, sire of Legality, is a half-brother to Lemonora, winner of the Grand Prix de Paris and over £20,000 in stakes. Bambury

won seven races in New Zealand, and his half-brother (by Whirlwind), Whirling, is at present tlie best sprinter in this province. Mention of other sires might also be made, including the well-known Mar-tian-Rose Red horse Raceful, sire of that good performer King Rey, Tradesmen and several other winners. Raceful is at the stud at Te Rapa, and with him is the attractive young Absurd—Pennon horse I.ysander, whose dam is a member of one of the most successful families ever brought from England. Another horse that, with reasonable opportunities, seems sure to do well is Day Guide, a son of Day Comet. He is down at Huntly, while a young horse of splendid type, located at Roto-o-rangi, is Quinland, a son of Little England and Mira. The latter mare is, I believe, by Quin Abbey from Cressy, so he has credentials for begetting horses of substance and distinct jumping ability..