AMONGST THE THOROUGHBREDS AT STEBBINGTON

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 412, 16 June 1898, Page 10

AMONGST THE THOROUGHBREDS AT STEBBINGTON

Mr William Percival’s.

During the last half century many folks south of the line have aimed at, and have secured, the highest honors obtainable as breeders of the thoroughbred, but it is very questionable, and perhaps even more than questionable, if ever a new beginner in the breeding of thoroughbreds has been more successful than the secretary of the Auckland Racing Club, Mr W. Percival. As the breeder of the gallant and honest St. Paul, the outspoken Englishman has earned undeniable fame, but if his fame and success ends with “ old Jack Chaafe’s” favorite, then the writer of these lines will be much astonished. Mr Percival comes from a thorough English racing family, and whether it be over the flat, over the timber, guiding a vehicle, or judging the points of a racehorse, he wall be hard to beat, and when the genial but bluff-spoken breeder told us that he had something better than St. Paul we determined to have a look through the stud. A suitable time being appointed, the sporting editor of this journal, accompanied by a friend, took ’bus accommodation per Onehunga’bus for the Royal Oak Hotel, which is, when travelling towards Mr Percival’s residence dStebbington), about one mile distant, but when travelling from Stebbington back to the Royal Oak it seemed fully double the distance. From the Royal Oak the walk was a delightful one, but our instructions from the landlady of the aforesaid roadside hostelry were rather vague, as we were instructed to go along King’s Road (where that was we had no idea), and after going about a mile (which was absolutely true) we would on our right hand come to a “ concrete gate,” through which we had to go to interview the proprietor of the stud. Acting to the good lady’s instructions, the sporting editor and his friend followed along a road called by district folks ‘ King’s Road,” and in due course' arrived at an entrance, which was surrounded by concrete supports for three different gates, but as a countryman of the writer would say, “ the divil of a concrete gate could he see at all, at all.” However, with that bashfulness known only to pressmen, it was decided to investigate and see if the right track was being followed. After a few yards had been traversed a halt was called, one of the twain insisting upon investigating various trees, shrubs, etc., which on each side opened out upon a lovely view. But onward was the cry, and as the hill was being topped a magnificent panorama was unfolded to the visitors, and to beat a retreat (feartul of a mistake having been made) was the order of the day for the tramps (if our readers may so prefer to call them), when in loud and firm tones could be heard the Ellerslie’s secretary’s voice, giving orders as to the cutting of certain timber by the aid of the inevitable cross-cut saw. With (as has been said before) the pressman’s bashfulnese, the family sanctum was for the time avoided, and, following the sound of the ordergiving voice, the visitors were soon face to face with the proprietor of Stebbington.

Stebbington is not a big property, but it is all useful, and although it is said to be only four miles from Auckland, the writer has his doubts, > but be that as it may, the stud farm is in close proximity to the Three Kings, a name given to three hills in close proximity to each other, around and about each of which are many nice roads, and over these vehicles and bicycles are to be seen careering in great numbers, though it must be said that with the latter convenience of travelling, the fair sex vied with their male friends in numbers, and rarely can it be truthfully written(as in this instance) of the maiden being “ left all forlorn.” ' • But to return to business. At Stebbington everything is kept in good order, and in addition to the comfortable family residence, there can be 1 found the very best of accommodation for the employees, as also for the four-footed animals, who bring “ grist to the mill.” The horse boxes 5 are large and comfortable, the feed bins (of which by the way, there is a supply in the paddocks, as well as in the stable), are built with a view of preventing waste, and also of preventing injury to the animals partaking therefrom. There is a plentiful supply of the best fodder, which, in addition to having the run of good paddocks during the day, the mares and youngsters are indulged in both night and morning. Water, too, is plentiful, and with all these indulgences, it cannot be wondered at that Mr Percival’s name stands out prominently as a breeder. True, it is, that the A.R.C. Secretary is a new hand at the breeding of racehorses, but as a hard riding man over a country in England, and one brought up / amongst stock, he is well-known to the English public, therefore, no wonderment need be expressed at his success with the Stebbington mares; Always careful in the choice of his mares, he has been equally so with the sires used. St. Leger has always been a fond love of the Stebbington proprietor, and loudly does he extol the virtues of the son of Doncastor and Atlantis. Herein, he has the best of material to start with, for was not Doncastor a son of the “ Emperor of Stallions,” Stockwell, from Marigold, a daughter of the famous Orlando ; whilst Atlantis was by Thormanby from Hurricane by Wild Dayrell. If ever running blood figured in a sire’s then does it come forth in that of St. Leger. Had St. Leger never sired any other winner than St. Hippo, his fame was made, but as the sire of Impulse, Regel, Clanranald, Hippomenes, St. Clements (one of the greatest fliers ever known), St. Kilda, St. Laura, Ben Godfrey, Waiuku, Rex, Lady Anna, Nestor, St Patrick, St. Paul, etc., the son of Doncaster, has made his name world famous.

Recognising the value of such a beautifully bred horse, and being a breeding student to the back bone, Mr Percival has, for the last few years, used his mares very freely in favor of St. Leger. True it is, that the stud has not in the past assumed large proportions, but the day is not far distant when “ Stebbington ” will hold its own with the best in New Zealand. For the number of mares used in the stud, Mr Perceval already holds a record hard to beat. It was a nice move on his part to secure, as a neuclus to his stud, Satanella, by Hippocampus from Slander, by Camden, son of Calendar (imp) from Annie Laurie (imp). The attention of the racing world generally is called to the progeny of this black mare. In 1886 to The Dauphin she produced Prestissimo, a mare whose named crops up in a later stage of this article. In 1887 she missed to King Cole, but in 1888, being put to 3t. Leger, the brilliant St. Clements was thd result. St. Clements was most certainly one of the most brilliant horses ever sired south of the line. In 1889 and 1890 St. Giles (dead) and St. Ella, were St. Leger’s representatives, and in 1889, Linstock was the result of Satanella’s union with Hotchkiss, whilst, in the following year, she produced Pirate to Brigadier. Finding, -by experience, that St. Leger was the right nick, with the daughter of Hippocampus, Mr Percival sent his pet back to her old love, and the result was. one of the most brilliant horses ever seen in Maoriland over all distances, none other than St. Paul.

Unfortunately, as events have turned out—though, as will be seen later on, the Stebbington studmaster thinks it a blessing—the black mare was mated with Blairgowrie, a wonderfully wellbred and fast son of Vespasian (imp.) and Atholine. The result of this union was a black filly, now known as Lady Blair (of whom more anon)* Sent back to St. Leger, she produced in 1895 St. Cecilia, now known as St. Ursula. In 1896 the result was, after again visiting St. Leger, the younster now in Jack Chaafe’s hands, and known as St. Peter. The progeny of St. Leger and Satanella for 1897 forms another paragraph later on. °

Satanella, the queen of the Stebbington harem, of course found first attention from the visiting scribes, and at first glance they were just a wee bit disappointed, but on getting close to the aristocratic dame all disappointment melted to the winds, and had the inspection lasted much longer it may be that the two visitors would have been as much in love with the old mare as is her owner, and that means a great deal. Not a big one by any means, Satanella is all quality, and whatever she lacks in height is made up in power and substance. With a beautiful head, fine neck, well let into powerful shoulders, she stands the beau ideal of a brood mare ; but it is when you get behind her that you appreciate her worth,, for she is powerful in every way, especially in the inner thighs Added to this, this mare of seventeen years shows but little sign of drooping over the back or loin. Last season she visited St. Leger again, and it is to be hoped that another St. Paul will be the result. ' Those folks who wonder on the racecourse at St. Paul’s ability tocarry weight need only have one glance at his dam, then they would know, as the boy said, “ all about it.” Mr Percival informs us that next season he intends to mate Satanella with Ben Godfrey, a decision we much regret, for although he is by St. Leger from Welcome Katie (by Musket), we would prefer sending her to St. Paul’s sire; but of this more when we meet Ben. Godfrey.

Close beside old Satanella was her daughter Prestissimo (1886), the result of the old mare’s union with The Dauphin, who was bred in the purple, being by Traducer from Marie Theresa (imp.), by Rataplan from Marie Louise, by Gunboat from Marie Agnes, by The Cossack from Harriet, by Gladiator. This wonderfully highlybred mare, which in color may be termed bay or brown (winter coats are on now), is blessed with with a white streak down the face, and is of good shape and make, though perhaps inclined to be more nuggetty than most people like ; but to the writer she seemed quite roomy enough for all purposes, added to which she possesses any amount of quality, and her bone is of the right sort. Whilst in work for a short time she was very fractious, and it was not deemed advisable to go on with her. Bred as she is, Prestissimo should prove a first-class brood mare. This season she is in foal to Ben Godfrey. Another daughter of the “ Stebbington Queen” is Lady Blair, who has been already mentioned. She is by Blairgowrie, a son of imported Vespasian, who in turn was sired by Newminster (a son of Touchstone) from Vesta. Blairgowrie’s dam was Atholine, by Blair Athol from Habena, by Birdcatcher. Rare breeding this, and it is no ■ wonder that Blairgowrie could get over the turf. The writer has a vivid recollection of his A.J.C. Champagne Stakes victory, and also of other brilliant performances. There are folks who decry the Blairgowrie stock, simply because he did not happen to sire a champion, but depend upon it that the Blairgowrie mares (when, of course, they are really pure bred) will be heard of in the future. Mr Percival is exceedingly fond of Lady Blair, the mare under notice, and says she will be the “ sheet anchor ” of the stud in the future, when her illustrious dam has gone over the Styx. Lady Blair is rising four years old, and is in foal to Ben Godfrey. In color she is like her dam, jet black, with just a shadow of a star on the forehead. Although, like Prestissimo, she is not a big one, she is very lengthy, well let down, and possessed of good bone. We linger long over the grand-daughter of Vespasian—who, by the way, was a great performer in England — and arrive at the conclusion that Mr Percival made a wise move in keeping Lady Blair for bis own stud. A full sister to Leda and St. Elmo, is Electra, a bay four-year-old mare by Castor from Welcome Katie, by Musket. This mare is half sister to Ben Godfrey, whose turn comes later on, so nothing more need be said here about her dam’s breeding. Of her sire, Castor, much can be said. ’Tie true that he has not sired many first-class horses, with the chances afforded him, and this seems hard to exp-ain, but Review readers may rest assured that in the near future Castor mares will be much sought after. Not only was Castor a brilliant performer, but he is also one of the best bred horses south of the line, and it will not be in the least surprising if the young mare under notice (Electra) happens to be one of the first to make his name prominent. In color Electra is a bay, and although on first glimpse she seems small, yet she is far from being so, and t.hougl not showing the same amount of quality as some others “ on the premises,” she has much to com mend her to a racing man. Electra is in foal to St. Leger, but in the coming season will visit Ben Godfrey, who will have a great chance in bis early career. La Dauphine, a bay mare by The Dauphin from Brassolis, is the last of the mares on view, and she is only a visitor for the time being. This is a very stoutly bred mare, as Brassolis (her dam) is by Panic fram Josephine, by Boiardo (imp.) from Wando, by Cossack from Eair Helen, by Rous Emigrant. Panic was, as all sporting people know, one of the most successful and certainly one of the stoutest bred horses (vide Bruce Lowe) ever imported to Australia. Boiardo was by Orlanao (son of Touchstone) from Miss Bowe, a mare whose name should be very deal* to every New Zealand breeder. La Dauphine is a big roomy mare, showing plenty of quality, and is in foal to Messrs Nathan’s favorite, Seaton Delaval. By the way, Brassolis is one of the Sylvia Park matrons, and we should think one of the most highly prized. The progeny of the Seaton Delaval —Brassolis cross will be watched with much interest by racing men, and be it colt or filly it will surely command a big figure, as every element of speed, endurance, and soundness is "Combined in The pedigree. St. Ursula, an own sister to St. Paul and St. Clements, is running with three foals, and few who saw the filly at the Easter meeting of the A.R.C. would know her now. The spell has done her no end of good, and as she stands on the hillside and pricks her ears at the sound of the Onehunga Salvation Army Band, she looks as handsome as a picture. During her sojourn at Stebbington, St. Ursula has filled put in every way, but the improvement is more noticeable in those beautiful drooping quarters. No one, to look at her legs, would ever dream of her having been trained, and the only thing to give her away is her beautiful glossy coat and condition. We hpld a great opinion of this filly, and await her coming season’s experience with a great amount of pleasure. What with St. Paul, St. Peter, and St. Ursula (all from the same sire and mare), Jack Chaafe should be seen smiling very often ere the end of next season.

The fillv foal, sister to the above trio, looks a big rough, but healthy, just now. She is a bay with black points, and carries all the family quality, and is blessed with good understandings. No name has been given as yet to the young aristocrat, but her breeder is hunting up “ Biblical lore ”to find a suitable name. If the saintly name is continued in the family, ’twill, indeed, be at the finish a “ Saintly Stud.” A bay filly, withjsome white on the face and her near hind toot white, claims the parentage of Hotchkiss and Prestissimo. She is a rare shaped one, and is a great favorite with Mr Percival, who maintains that she is a splendid representation of the old English pictures of the thoroughbreds of the day. Be that as it may, this is a . very fine foal, and with ordinary luck bound to ./.■

make a name for herself. In a mild scramble o’er paddook with St. Ursula, the young one showed that she understood how to “ scratch gravel.” The other foal is a chestnut colt by St. Leger from La Dauphine, whose breeding is given above. He is a fine, strong fellow with plenty of good bone, and he is as active as a kitten. He has a white face, and is a very determined fellow when amongst his mates. With the St. Leger, Panic, Boiardo cross, it will be strange indeed if this daring customer does not earn fame. Having now seen all the mares and youngsters, our host led us to see Ben Godfrey, who certainly fills up a warm corner of bis owner’s heart, and as “ Lord of the Harem ” the stallion under notice merits a paragraph all unto himself. He is by St. Leger from Welcome Katie, by Musket from Dundee’s Katie, by Dundee from Rambling Katie, by Melbourne from Phryne, by Touchstone. The whole of this pedigree is teeming with the much prized Touchstone blood through St Leger (whose pedigree is already given), Musket, and Phryne, whose name curiously enough appears in the pedigree of Atlantis, the dam of St. Leger, as well as in that of Welcome Ka'ie, the dam of Ben Godfrey. In colour the Stebbington sire is a beautiful bay, with a small star and with the off hind foot white, He is a very lively customer, and full of what his owner calls play. The play, however, caused one of the visitors to take “ great interest” in the vehicles stowed away in the coach house. Standing sideways Ben Godfrey fills the eye well, but when viewed from behind he pleases his interviewer much more. His bone is of good quality and he measures well all round, the only failing being, perhaps, a rather feminine appearance about the neck, but this may be only fancy, as the writer has a prejudice in favor of a strong necked stallion. Ben Godfrey, however, taken all round has very few faults, and he has many good points to recommend him. He is bred in the purple, and with such aristocratic mares as those owned by Mr Percival, he is being afforded a magnificent opportunity [at the stud. As a,racehorse Ben Godfrey proved himself a good one, as he won the Prince of Wales Handicap at Ellerslie as a four-year-old with 7.8, and ran the mile and a half in 2min 39sec, with Forme and Anita in the places. At Egmont in the same season the Atkinson Memorial Stakes fell to his lot, when with 7.9 he ran the mile and a half in 2min 40 4-5 ‘ sec, amongst those finishing behind him being Waiuku (7 9), Stepfeldt (7.11), and others. At Wanganui be walked over for the Consolation Handicap with 9.0 up, the distance being one mile. Let tbe son of St. Leger and Welcome Katie fare as he may, it must be at once conceded that with the mares mentioned above and the fillies now running out in New Plymouth paddocks, few stallions have had such a chance of late years as he is being afforded. The fillies at New Plymouth are as follows: —Grey filly, by Hotchkiss—Maid of Athol; bay filly by Cuirassier — Rubina; bay filly by Castor—Brown Alice ; and brown filly by Orestes —Prestissimo. This finished up the inspection at Stebbington, and joining our host and a prominent member of the A.R.C. committee, who turned up whilst Ben Godfrey was on view, we repaired to the homestead, where the splendid selection of horsey pictures were viewed, and other satisfactory details discussed. Our interview then terminated, and then departed for Auckland well pleased with our morning’s outinf.