Amid the Thoroughbreds

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 178, 21 December 1893, Page 8

Amid the Thoroughbreds

THE GLENORA PARK YEARLINGS. A VISIT TO THE PAPAKURA STUD. By “Borderer.” “ I have only three yearlings to- show you; but there are some youngsters in the Papakura paddocks weft' worth looking over, so come out and see me,” said Mr W. Walters the other day, and I gladly accepted the chance of making acquaintance with the oldest stud farm in New Zealand. Thursday last was the day chosen for the visit, and a splendid day it was for a twenty-mile drive. On arriving at Glenora Park, my host kindly fortified me with a good luncheon before taking me over the spacious paddocks where so many lights of the New Zealand, turf spent their youthful days. What a list of turf aristocrats hail from this Papakura. Stud! Established by the late Mr. Wm. Walters away back, in the sixties, it has seen many a gallant racer gain strength within its. boundaries. That fine old sportsman of earlier days knew what he was about when he chose Fanny Fisher and Yatterina as the nucleus of his stud, and. since the days of those splendid matrons many a sterling piece of horseflesh has has passed through the Glenora gates, and thence on to great deeds on the racing track. Let one cast his memory back over the productions of the stud, and what a string of memories will coma flashing through his mind. The sight of the Glenora head trainer, Mr H. French, calls up the name of Yatterina and. her gallant victories. With Mr French on her back she dashed past the post a victor some fifty odd times. No one knew better than Mr French what the mare could do or how to get it out of her. Recalling other winners that hailed from, this fine old stud brings back the names of Kingfisher, Izaak Walton. Hippocampus, Piscatorius, Fishwoman, Fishgirl, Torpedo, Glaucus (whom I fear has won his last race), Ingorina, Libeller, Hipporina, Musketeer, Fusilier, Matchlock, Leorina. Firelock, Sleep, The Baron and Rosebud. Then there is that grand mare Rosarina, and Venus Transit, Grand Duchess, Fitz Hercules, Herculaneum, Marion, The Duke, Billingsgate, Hippodaniia. Foulshot, Transit, Doris (whose racing career has but opened). Muskapeer, the sire of Lottie. Florence, Peerless, &c., is another of the worthy Papakura family. Tbe surroundings of the stud home are in keeping with the age, and one can spend a very pleasant reverie over its past while sitting down in the weather-worn stables whose walls have housed so many splendid racers. But to return to the object of my visit. The three yearlings which

Mr Walters will offer this year are by Hotchkiss, Nelson and Hippocampus, and the trio will be submitted at Sylvia Park by Messrs Hunter and Nolan on Thursday, the 28th instant. Nelson is represented by a filly out of a daughter of Musket; Hippocampus has a colt from a daughter of Traducer ; and Hotchkiss sires a son from Hipporina, the dam of Ingorina. We first of all examined these youngsters. The first brought out from the stable was a brown colt by Hippocampus from Rosarina, and a fine looking young fellow he is Foaled on October 31st, 1892, he is well forward for his age, and shows a contour which leaves very little to find fault with. His barrel is like a cask, and his deep quarters and well cut supports show he has plenty of power to drive his body along. The quality of his bone is At, and his style of standing stamps him as

a decidedly well bred little gentleman. A glance at his predecessors shows he will indeed be a disappointment if he fails to race. His dam, who was bred by the late Mr Wm. Walters in 1877 was got by Traducer from Yatterina, by Yattendon, from Kohinoor, by Vanguard. In producing Rosebud, Carronade, Vieux Rose, Glenora, and Rose and White, Rosarina showed she can transmit good galloping power. Her first foal, Rosebud, won the Spring Handicap of 250SOVS at the Sydney Tattersall’s Meeting in August of 1886, beating afield of 28 rattling performers and cutting out the mile and a quarter in 2min 1 o|sec. Glenora, whom Rosarina produced to Hippocampus, the sire of the colt under notice, showed a nice turn of pace when she ran second to Adelaide in the Welcome Stakes at the 1890 A.R.C. Spring Meeting. The field was not an easy one to beat, for those who finished behind her included His Worship, Brown Alice, First Nelson and Puwerewere. Carronade, another production of this mare, has a fine record against her in turf records. This Nordenfeldt filly won the Hopeful Stakes at D.J.C. 1891 meeting, beating seven others, the Windermere Handicap and

Flying Stakes at Ashburton, Geraldine Spring Flying Handicap, Ashburton Flying Handicap, Heathcote Summer Hancap, and many other good events. Not , bad running. Vieux Rose has cast no discredit upon her parents since Rosarina dropped her in 1888 ; and as far as I can judge a yearling I see no reason why this latest descendant of the Traducer and Yatterina mare should not do equally as well as any of the above named performers. If he does fail it will not be for want of breeding His sire, Hippocampus, has got many good gallopers notwithstanding the fact that his opportunities at the stud have been none too great. By Dainty Ariel (the son of the imported Riddlesworth) out of Fanny Fisher, there can be no doubt as to the quality of his blood, and under the circumstances I am at a loss to understand why his chances as a sire have not been more extensive than has been the case. In the colt we have been looking at he seems to have transmitted most of his grand points, and the combination of the four running strains which course in the youngster's veins are sufficient to make me very hopeful of his future He is engaged in the Auckland Racing Club’s Great Northern Foal Stakes 1894, A.R.C. Guineas 1895, and Hawke’s Bay Guineas 1895, and should attract keen attention from buyers on the 28th instant. The next yearling brought out by Mr Walters was a big brown colt by Hotchkiss from Hipporina. This youngster was foaled on September 16th, 1892, and is veryjwell set up. His legs are beautifully shaped, and as firm as iron to the touch. In length bone and substance he impresses one most favourably, and I should say he will grow into a big raking horse. Hipporina’s 1886 colt, Ingorina, shows that she can foal racers, although she never showed us anything in the racing line herself, but with a sire and dam like Hippocampus ard Yatterina, she does not require performances to stamp her as a dam of blood. Her latest colt, whose engagements are the same as those of the Rosarina colt, has a combination of Yattendon, Musket, Fisherman, and Emilius blood, and if that it is not a galloping recommendation, I don’t know what is The third and last of the yearlings—a Nelson and Muskerina— was now brought out, and an excitable little lady she proved to be She came jumping out of her box like a cat on hot bricks, and on seeing a stranger evinced a decided inclination to make play with her hesls. I do not imply for a moment that the youngster is vicious, but she is undeniably very nervous. In shape she is a perfect model; ’but too much on the small side. There’s not a fault in her

conformation barring size, and if she hac that she would be a picture. All hei limbs are exquisitely moulded, and hei style of carrying herself shows she appreciates her pedigree. And what a taking genealogical table it is. Nelson out of Muskerina produces a cross hard to beat —Nelson on Musket. Muskerina is by Musket out of Yatterina by Yattendon, and My Idea, the dam of Nelson, is also by Yattendon, so that this shapely young lady has a double strain of the blood of Australia’s foremost stallion. In breeding, therefore this filly has everything on her side, being full of such fashionable strains as King Tom, Voltigeur, Musket, Emilius. and Yattendon, as I remarked before, with a little more size she would indeed be a clipper. As a pony she ought to make a rare goer. There being no more yearlings to see, a move was made to the foals’ paddocks,

and although I only had time to look over one of the enclosures, I am satisfied that next year will see Glenora Park well to the front, for I was shown as promising a lot of equine babies as one would wish to see. There were nine mares with foals in the paddock I was shown over, and both the matrons and their children appeared to be in the very best of health. The first to cross our track was Empress, a younger sister to Marion, by Maribyonong—Peeress, and a splendid quality mare she is. Last season she had a stroke of bad luck in bearing a dead colt to Hippocampus, but this season she has been more successful, and a nice colt foal to the same sire runs at her side. The young one has a very taking shape, and is picking up strength rapidly. The Baron is by Hippocampus out of a half sister to Empress, and should the colt we are looking at follow in The Baron’s footsteps, no fault will be found with him. Muscatel stands close by with a three weeks’ old filly foal to Tasman. This baby is somewhat weakly, but looks like picking up strength. Her dam has gone to Blairgowrie, about whom I shall have something to say later on. Muskerina, who was bred by the late Mr Walters in 188 q, by Musket from Hip-

porina, by Hippocampus from Yatterina, by Yattendon, next comes under view, and a single glance at the colt foal by her side shows that St. Leger has been at work here. The young one is only a fortnight old, but he has plenty of confidence and strength. The’ mark of the sire is plainly apparent in him, and with a dam like Muskerina, who is a full sister in blood to Matchlock (winner of the V.R.C. Champion Stakes), he should attract notice next buying season. I am next shown a close relation of Leorina, viz., Cressina, who is by Leolinus out of Rosarina, daughter of Yatterina. Traducer was Rosarina’s sire, and with such names in her family list, she should produce something good. This mare never raced owing to an accident she received in the hock when she was a two-year-old. She visited Hippocampus last year, and has produced a likely-looking black colt with a tiny white star on his forehead. He has great legs on him, and will bring added lustre to his sire if he be spared to see the racecourse. Close by stood Lady Emmeline, who was got by Traducer’s son Somnus out of Fanny Fisher in 1887. Running at her side was a Cuirassier colt with a back like a billiard table, and a splendid set of handy little legs. He is a very lengthy one, and with the benefit of two strains of Fisherman blood, he should certainly do something if the satins are ever put up on him. I next make acquaintance with Fishgirl, the beautiful daughter of Yatterina and Fanny Fisher. Following on a miss she had last season to Hotchkiss, her owner put her to the same sire, and the result is a decidedly neat colt, who compares very favourably indeed with the others. A prettier mare than Fishgirl one could not wish to see. There is plenty of quality in her beautiful frame, and I expect her to give her owner many a good galloper. Torpedo comes from a Musket—Fishgirl union, and the nick of Hotchkiss —Fishgirl gives similar blood, with that of Yattendon and Leolinus added —and a grand addition it is. The daughter of Hippocampus — Yatterina, Hipporina, has a grand upstanding filly foal to Hotchkiss, which she produced in September. Last season she was mated with the same sire, and the result was a rattling good colt. Further on we came across Mr W. Percival’s mare Satanella, who has a St. Leger colt by her side. The little fellow is a bit backward, but with such blood as St. Leger can give, the secretary of the A.R.C. will probably obtain something profitable from this union. The last mare to foal thia season, Mr Walters tells me, was Rosarina, Libeller’s sister, has got a filly foal to

1 Cuirassier. This one is also rather back- ■ ward, but has an improving appearance. Retracing our steps towards the stables we came across Mr Walters* stallion Blairgowrie, whom mine host imported this season from Australia. Since his arrival Blairgowrie has improved very much in appearance, and when he fills out a little more he will be a very attractive horse. For the size of his body he has tremendous limbs, and if he possesses the ability to transmit his power to his progeny, breeders will find it worth their while to employ his services. Compared with the general run of sires doing duty in the Auckland district, Blairgowrie has a more racing look about him, and if his first season at Papakura be any criterion it is evident that he will quickly repay Mr Walters the money expended upon his purchase. Up to date his servings • number thirty-three mares, of which twenty - two are thoroughbred, viz., Hipporina, Cressina, Lady Emmeline, Ophelia, Fishgirl, Empress, Leorina, Rosarina, Muskerina, Helen McGregor, Mary, Shiela, Dolly, Julia, Muscatel, Pandora, Mantilla, Reproach Cobweb, Abeydos, Satanella, and Lady Nelson. With so many good mares placed at his service, Blairgowrie has been given ample opportunity of displaying his ability to get gallopers and when his stock come on, their merits will be keenly criticised. That he is a pretty certain server is demonstrated by the fact that

out of the thirty-three mares put to him only seven have returned for additional service. Blairgowrie’s pedigree is hard to find fault with. He is by Vespasian—Atholine, by Blair Athol (winner of the Derby and St. Leger of 1864) —Habena, by Irish Birdcatcher—Bridle. Atholine’s sire is by the great Stockwell —Blink Bonny (the 1857 Derby and Oaks winner). Vespasian, the sire of Blairgowrie, is by Newminster (the ’5l St. Leger winner) — Vesta, who is by Stockwell—Garland. Newminster is by Touchstone (out of Beeswing (the winner of four Doncaster Cups). There’s blood enough in such a family tree as that, and Mr Walters may be pardoned for expecting something exceptional from the mares he has put to the son of Vespasian. Before I leave lam given a glimpse of Doris, Rose and White, and the two-year~old Nordenfeldt —Rosarina filly, which has not yet been christened. Doris I found in very good condition, and from what I saw of her I am confident she will land Mr Walters a good stake yet. Rose and White will do the same or I am vastly mistaken. She has a great muscular development for

her three years, is splendidly ribbed up, and possesses a set of legs which will carry her first past the post on many an occasion in the near future. Both she and Doris were being given walking exercise when I saw them, and whatever their missions mav be during the coming year backers will find it worth their while not to lose sight of this pair. The unchristened two-year-old I could see is a favourite of Mr Walters, and there’s no doubt she will skim nlong in a pretty fashion when fairly Ground up. This is a fine made filly, being very like her sister Rose and White, and crammed full of quality. We measured her in her box and found that she stands just under 14.2. Another twelve months’ furnishing and she will take some beating I’ll be bound. The last animal I looked at was Glaucus, and from the appearance of his knees I’m very much afraid this son of Somnus — Fishwoman has scored his last win. Since he fell in the Spring Handicap at Otahuhu two years ago his knees have been very much ‘ off,’ and as an extended spell has not brought them back to shape, there’s but little chance of the horse doing any thing more of importance on the racing track. The Papakura grandstand attracted my attention, and a few minutes of inspection were devoted to it before harnessing up for my return to the city. A more convenient or compact stand than the one I saw, the P.R.C. could not wish for. In addition to the course proper there is a good training track and a plough, and although the club only holds one race meeting a year, on St. Patrick’s Day, the course and its surroundings are always in tip-top condition. With such an excellent track and so many conveniences for the public, it seems a pity that the operations of the P.R.C. should be limited to once a year. By the time I say goodbye to my host and get fairly on the road the afternoon is closing in, and part of mv homeward drive is in the moonlight. The day has been well spent, and over the long road which stretches from the homestead to the city, I muse pleasantly over what I have seen, and store it up in my memory for future use.