Sporting Review. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1890.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 15, 8 November 1890, Page 1

Sporting Review. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1890.

Since Major George has returned to New Zealand, rumours are rife as to what is to be done with the Sylvia Park Stud Company. One report is that the whole of the Stud is to be sold by auction in January. Another is that the Globo Company has taken it over, and that it is to be carried on. The Herald devotes a leader to it in their issue of November sth, the morning after the Melbourne Cup was run. They commence eulogising the wonderful performance of Carbine in the Melbourne Cup. In this we perfectly agree, as we do not think that in the annals of racing has there ever been such a performance. The nearest approach to it was that of Isonomy, but then he had not the field (Jo meet. There are many races where

ten stone and over has been carried to victory, but over shorter courses or against smaller fields. The performance of Carbine is without parallel. Here is a horse with lost 51b, starting in a field of thirty-nine horses, and he not only goes to the from, but keeps his place and wins comparatively easy by three lengths. This wonderful horse Carbine first saw the light of day at Sylvia Park, within a few miles * of Auckland. This stud through mismanagement has come to grief, and is now virtually in the hands of the Bank of New Zealand. It is to be dispersed. In all this we agree with our confriere in Wvndham Street. But now comes the last part of the leader: —“We do not profess to be acquainted with all the difficulties that stand in the way of retaining this valuable breeding establishment here, and keeping together the stock we now have. But it must be simply a matter of enterprise and money, and really not

much of either would be required —once upon a time the money would have been thought a bagetelle. We cannot believe that the] community is so dead. Surely it only wants two or three gentlemen of some spirit to take the initative to get the necessary cash. But we feel convinced that if steps are not taken to prevent the dispersal of the stud the whole of Australasia will think Auckland about the meanest place under the sun. And if we allow the establishment to be broken up we will assuredly, when it is too late, repent our stupidity in sackcloth and ashes.” In this we do not agree, especially with what is contained in the few following words : “ But it must be simply a matter of enterprise and money, and really not much of either would be required.” Now, our friends in Wyndhamstreet are well known to be a very 'wealthy fraternity, so thirty or forty thousand may be a mere bagatelle,; but it means a large amount of ready cash to commence a business with, and this is what a breeding establishment really is. No one more than ourselves would regret to see Sylvia Park broken up, and Nordenfeldt, S. Leger, and some of the mares dispersed to other parts of the world. But let as calmly review the position. The Bank requires 3,000 for the stock. This is far above their value. All the best mares are old. and are not likely [to produce another Carbine, Martiui Henri, or Nordenfeldt. Another great mistake has been made in putting such mares as Florence Macarthy (the dam of Tirallieur),

Lady Mersey, My Idea, Onyx, and Sylvia to such an animal as Ingomar, a horse which they t were glad to dispose of for .Zj 1 5°- He was a failure in Ireland, and has been the same here. What would Sylvia’s foal have been worth if it had been by Nordenfeldt instead of Ingomai r 1} would not have been too close a cross. Then what would have been a better cross with Onyx than St. Leger, a beautifully-bred horse, by Doncaster out of Atlantis, by Thormanby out of Hurricane, by Wild Dayrell out of Media, Doncaster by Stockwell out of Marigold, by Teddington. It is true that he is not a taking horse, and has never done anything on the turf, but it must be borne in mind that he was brought through the Red Sea when a foal, conseqvently he got stunted, and, instead of being put away as a sire, he was put into training, which made things worse. Taking a fair valuation of the stock, no one desirous of going into the thing as a speculation would like to give much more than for them, though Nordenfeldt has been put down by some enthusiasts as being worth more than half that sum. The land is mortgaged for something like which means close upon per acre —much too high a price. Then, again, there are two pieces of leasehold land that cut right into the freehold ; so, taking it all into consideration, it would be a risky speculation, taking- it at the price required—more especially when it has to be remembered it would take at least £5,000 to replace the old mares. If three or four persons who understood the breeding of thoroughbreds exerted themselves there is little doubt that jZ~i 5,000 could be raised to form a company to purchase the cream of the Sylvia Park stud ; and then, if the land eould not be purchased at a reasonable rate, there is plenty that could be. Then Auckland, having the/Wellington Park, and the remodelled Sylvia Park, studs, would still be an attraction to other Colonies, as we perfectly agree that the climate and soil of Auckland is well adapted for breeding purposes.