THE SYLVIA PARK STUD.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 333, 10 December 1896, Page 9

THE SYLVIA PARK STUD.

[By

Atlas.]

I have no doubt that a drive to Sylvia Park at most times is pleasant, but it is delightful at this season of the year, especially when it. so happens -that the breeze is cool and the rays of the summer sun screened by fleecy clouds. The visitor cannot fail to be pleased with it, as on all sides the landscape views are changing and pretty. For- • tune favoured me on my visit, as I had the good luck of finding a companion in an old Victorian, who is a good judge of the thoroughbred and knows something too about such places as the Messrs Finlay’s Glenormiston Stud Farm. Of course everyone in Australia, as well as those in New Zealand, have heard of Sylvia Park, and I venture to remark that any school-teacher seeking information from his geographical scholars as to the position on the map of Sylvia Park would very soon have the information supplied, and the same juvenile authority would doubtless testify to the nature of the products of the Park, for famous indeed has it become by the production of those heroes of the Australian turf, Carbine, St. Hippo, Nordenfeldt, Maxim, and others. It was a matter of Australasian regret when the " New Zealand Stud Company collapsed, but it is now a subject for congratulation that the establishment of Messrs L. D. and N. A. Nathan has ■ arisen out fcf the ashes of the old institution to perpetuate its memony and continue the production of the thoroughbred. Many good Sylvia Park horses have been scattered, old Musket and Nordenfeldt have gone to the happy hunting grounds, Carbine and Trenton have sought fresh 'fields and pastures new, but we have left behind

at Sylvia Park the basis of a splendid stud. Driven straight to the comfortable stables, Mr Nathan, assisted by the stud groom, lost no tfrne in showing the visitors all that was to be seen, and commenced with the most interesting exhibit of the whole stud, St. Hippo. Here in New Zealand his achievements on the turf are fresh in the minds of all sportsmen, and when he went wrong in his near fore leg when preparing for the Melbourne Cup the disappointment must have been great. In Australia the appearance of the New Zealander had captivated the critics, and his praises were written by such writers as “ Asmodeus,” “ Augur,” “ Martindale,” and “Nemo,” and it was a matter of sincere regret when he had to return to his home. He was a fine horse then, but he has since developed into a still more noble-looking animal. At the present time he is in the pink of condition, and, although on the big side, he looks fit to gallop. The studgroom thinks so too, and as he fondly looks at the 16 hands 2 inches of horseflesh, I believe he would back his charge with lOst up against a lot of those built to carry only postage stamps. St. Hippo is a tower of strength, and there is no blemish visible in the splendid legs of St. Leger and, Hippona’s great son. He has not hud time to prove himself yet as a sire, but surely something great must spring from the loins of such a fine horse. To add to his other attractions St. Hippo has a beautiful temper, and any stranger might approach him in his box without fear. Mr Nathan has & fixed aversion to pampering sires, because he- is of opinion that if Musket had not been Coddled up he would have been alive to-day. For that reason, once a day and in nearly all sorts of weather, St. Hippo is turned loose in the stallionpaddock, which is surrounded with a high, close

fence, and here he enjoys what all healthy horses like— a gallop and a roll —before he is again removed to his box to make room for Seaton Delavel. On being trotted out this imported English stallion looked in splendid health, and one thing is certain that the climate suits him. I remember seeing him when he arrived in Sydney from England, and, of course, after the long voyage he could not be expected to be looking at his best then, but, making all allowance for that, he has improved out of all knowledge. He is not of the same powerful stamp as St. Hippo, but he is robust, too, and full of quality. His veins are charged with some of the best blood in England, and some of his progeny will ere long show that he knows bow to transmit some of his good qualities. We were next invited to cast our eyes over the yearling colts in their boxes. The first to come under observation was the chestnut colt by St. Hippo out of Waitemata. He is a nice fellow, well-grown, but he did not seem to relish the sudden appearance of so many strangers, a fact easily understood when it is known that they have only just had theii’ head stalls fitted on for the first time. This colt is beauifully bred, as the mother is by the imported Eiridspord from Aorere, by Chester, and he looks as if he would race. The brown colt by St. Hippo out of Maratea has an attractive appearance, his colour being good, but he is on the small side. He, however, should race earlier than some of his bigger companions. The third exhibit-, to. my mind, and I think in the opinion of our visiting Victorian friend, too, put the others a trifle in the shade. This is a powerful son of St. Hippo and Cantiniere, and. as he develops, his present likeness to his sire will probably increase. That is sure to be the first impression formed of him

when he is brought into the ring, and such a fine colt, bearing a strong resemblance to one of New Zealand’s best horses, will be eagerly sought after if there is money in the market. With such a strapping youngster it would perhaps be unwise to start too early, but as he matures he should furnish into a handsome horse. “ One thing is certain,” said our Victorian friend, “ and that is if looks go for anything he should stay, and his shoulders remind me of the Panics, who could stay for a week.” His head, although not particularly handsome, denotes a kind temper, and, indeed, in that respect also, he is like his sire, so that those who are in search of another St. Hippo would do well to have a look at this fellow. . A very fine colt occupies the next box. This is a dark brown yearling by Cuirassier out of Jadestone. He is an early foal, and has grown well, and will, in the opinion of many, riyal Cantiniere’s youngster, but he is not so big in the bone. He is of rare good shape, and his colour is rich, while a glance at his pedigree on both sides will serve to show how well-bred he is. The colt by St. Leger out of La Dauphine takes after the sire in the matter of colour, being if anything a lighter chestnut, with a bright white blaze, which should enable the judge to readily identify him, if in the course of time he requires such distinction at the end of a race, and there is no reason why he should not gallop, becah.se he is well-bred enough for anything, and is built on good lines. A little nervousness in temper will probably wear off in handling,land he should be one of those who would not suffer from early racing. The bay colt by St. Hippo out of Bellona is fairly grown, and should furnish into a nice horse. He has been suffering from a severe cold, which probably accounts for his not being

so blooming as some of the others. On the day of the sale, however, he will probably have lots of admirers. This concluded the inspection of the colts, which all round are a very fine lot. Unfortunately, the fillies were away in another paddock, and we had not an opportunity of seeing them, but Mr Nathan and the stud groom think a lot of them. They consist of a bay filly by St. Leger —Innisfail (by Nordenfeldt), a bay filly by St. Hippo —Ellerslie (by Trenton), and a brown filly by Cuirassier —Sybil (by Leolinus). After the inspection of the colts, they were turned out of their boxes, and, after indulging in some play in the paddock, they had a scamper over the green turf, the Cantiniere colt, followed by the Jadestone youngster, showing the way, and it was some time before they exhausted their exuberant spirits and sought the shelter of the tree shades. Their spurt across the field was sufficient to show that they are all beautifully free movers.

The brood mares in the paddocks, with their young progeny at foot, all look well. After leaving the undulating and well-grassed paddocks at Sylvia Park an invitation was accepted to look over George Wright’s training establishment at Ellerslie. Unfortunately the clever head of the stable was not present himself, the illness of a relative having called him suddenly away. However, the party, under the guidance of Messrs Nathan and Davis, spent a pleasant half-hour in looking over the horses in training, the attendants being very obliging and courteous. Miss Rose and St. Evelyn are in great buckle, and it seems a pity that two such well-shaped fillies should be on the small side, but what there is of them is wonderfully good. When looking at the pair, and more especially at

Miss Rose, I could not help thinking what a good thing she would be in a 14.2 or a 14.1 race at Kensington, the leading pony course of New South Wales. Standing in her box she does not look more than 14.1. In the next box to the little ’uns is Woodstock, the biggest animal of the stable he is the half, or rather the three-quarter brother of the big Cantiniere colt we had seen at Sylvia Park, and his skin has a healthy appeartance. Woodstock is a great “ doer,” and could no be persuaded to take his head out of the teed-box. Miss Emma is a great powerful filly (by Cuirassier) and she may later on turn out a good performer ; she is in work, and so is Day Star, but when the rugs were removed from him it was explained by those who had seen him prior to his departure for the South that there had been a great falling-off in his appearance ; his trouble, whatever it is, has baffled experienced men, who have been unable to exactly locate the seat of his soreness ; he has improved of late, but still he has fallen away —perhaps because of a cessation of work — a nd he will need to do well right up to the day to have a chance in the Auckland Cup, in which he has been well treated. Armilia is looking in splendid fettle, and Edith Cureton is a fine powerful filly who should make a reputation. The Australian horse Panoply looked well, but I think he is a bit overrated. Acone has not yet got over the effects of the fall at Wellington, but there is fortunately nothing sei’iously wrong with him, albeit the owner is convinced that the handicapper has too good an opinion of him.