A CLYDESDALE STUD FARM.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3774, 5 November 1886, Page 3

A CLYDESDALE STUD FARM.

» That the climate of New Zealand ig equal, if not superior, to that of Great Britain for horse-breeding r.urposps, was perceived early m our colonial history. And that the early settlers were not wrong m their estimate has been amply proved by the success which lias attended the efforts of breeding of all kinds of horses. The racing records conclusively show that the colonial thoroughbred ia not inferior to his homo bred and reared brother m either speed or stamina, and no one- will venture to suggest that he has deteriorated m appearance or m utility. As with the " thoroughbred," so with the draught. The improvement of tho breed of agricultural hr> r sea has long been the praiseworthy object of many a stud master both north and sonth, and few breeders have conduced more to the amelioration of clydesdale stock than'Mr Robert Matthews, of Temukn. It is nearly a quarter of a century since Mr Matthews first undertook the arduous and risky business of horse-brcedincr. Ho was then living at Leeston, and laid the foundation of liis famous stock by becoming possessed of the grand mare Violet. Violet contained two wellknown strains, tho King Fergus and the Samson, she being by Sir Colin out of a Samson mare, her niro being by King Fergus Hl3 first success with Violet, was the equally famous Highland Mary, tho result of her union with Mr McKellar's Barnet. Tn rapid succession Violet produced the celebrated Lord Castlei'ea«h to Young Watty, (ho champion Queen of tho Bankets, who was never Vieaton m the show ring, to Young Banker, and the splendid horse Slrathmoro, a son of Glenroy. Strathmore is at present the only horse standing at tho Btud, and he is thoroughly known and appreciated m the district. A full sister to the Queen of the Bankers, Lady Burdelta, is now m the North Tsland, and has the proud reputation of being "about the best mare south of the line." Younc Banker was also visited by Highland Mary, who produced a fine filly, which was "sold for 175 guineas as a three-year-old. Another fine stallion, Overdraft, a fnV brother to the last mentioned filly, is alsc m the North Island, and is looked upor as one of the most promising sires there. The King Fergus blood was again su& cessfully brought m tho Prides and WeV lingtona. Mr Matthews bred the grant horse Young Wellington, by Old Welling ton, out of Young Pride, she by Lort Glasgow, out of Old Pride, who was b] j Lofty, out of a King Fergus mare. I Another daughter of Highland Mary

by Mr McKellar's Prince Royal, was also noteworthy — Princess Royal. She was iut In Y<,un» Banker |and produced the la-tyu:n's champion, the handsome ar.d useful Early Morning, one of the most popular sires of the district. There is now at Oamaru another grand (laughter of old Violet's, Ellen McGregor. She was got by Glenroy, and until last year sho was never biaten m the ring. Even then sho was first and champion at Timaru and Wnim-ite, and second at Dunedin and at Oamaru. Just now Mr Matthews' stud is numerically reiy 3:nall,— smaller than it has been for years past. Besides Strathmore he has a fine yearling — King of tho Bankers, a full brother to Early Morning, and showing every promise of developing into a grand horse of the came stamp. Only two brood mares are at present on the farm — Princess Roynl, nine years oIJ. m foal to Young Wellington ; and Queen of tho Bankers, five years old, j\i3t about to drop a foal by Tiro Turn. Much of Mr Matthew's success is to bo attributed to tho fortunate situation of his stud farm, which is eminently suited for breeding purposes, but besides this, he has devotod years of time and very considerable sums of money to acquiring knowledge and experience m this very uncertain pursuit. A few years ago Mr Matthews visited England and Scotland for tho expre3B purpoao of studying the Clydesdale at home, and m the coune of his year and a-half'a tour, gained much useful information, of which purchasers of his stock aro reaping the benefit. But though the breeding of horses ia a business fraught with touch trouble and more uncertainty, It has occasionally some rich prizes to offew the breeder. Mr Matthews hns been singularly fortunato m obtaining reasonable prices for his stock. Lord Caatleraagh, for instance, brought him m GOO guineas after ho had used him at the still for four most successful seasons. Young Wellington was sold for 300 guineas, and yearlings seldom fetch less than 100. The cheapost horse he ever sold was the suckling who afferwards developed into Early Morning, for which ho received 50 guineas. Tho stock of the Tomuka farm ia wellknown throughout South Canterbury, and indeed throughout the colony. At Waimato Mr Hayes has laid tho foundation of a grand stud, m which Mr Matthews' strains are prominent ; and Mr J. Austin, who possesses a magnificent stud of brood mares, claims that his mare, Lady Don (Glenroy— Highland Mary), and her progeny, will boar competition with any other mare and progeny m the island. It is neodlees to add that Mr Matthews is at any timo happy to show visitors hiß farm, and the fow animals at present running m it.