The Stud

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 432, 3 November 1898, Page 13

The Stud

SYLVIA PARK.

[By .

Atlas.]

To pay a visit to Messrs Nathan Bros, famous Sylvia Park Stud, always means a day of pleasure, and during the week, accompanied by a friend who had never seen the property, I paid my respects to the imported horse, Seaton Delaval. As most readers are aware, he is by Melton (8) (English Derby winner) from Rosedale, by Botherhill (1°) from Moss Rose, by King Tom (3). Melton, who was a very high-class horse, was by Master Kildare (3) from Violet Melrose,

by Scottish Chief (8) from Violet, by Normanby. This is a wonderfully good pedigree, and the lord of the harem at Sylvia Park, does not deny his good breeding. Seaton Delaval has improved wonderfully since his arrival in New Zealand. He is a beautiful bay with black points, shows great quality and power, whilst he is as active as a kitten. Critics have remarked that the horse is very light in the forearm —at first glance it does seem so, but when measured, this impression gives way. The performances of Miss Delaval and Hastings have caused Messrs Nathan Bros, favorite to come into great favor with owners of ■nares, and his list this season is full, and could have been considerably increased had his owners so wished, but like rational men, the proprietors of Sylvia Park decided that they would not overtax the handsome bay. The wonderful pace shown by both Miss Delaval and Hastings tell us that Seaton Delaval has “come to stay,” and judgiwg by the youngsters shown to us by stud groom, Harry Wilson, Sylvia Park will be long before the public gaze as a winner producing establishment.

The property owned by Messrs Nathan Bros, consists of about, 110 acres, or perhaps, properly speaking, one section of the original Stud Company’s depot, wherein rests the remains of that famous horse, Musket, wbo did more to bring New Zealand blood stock to the fore than any other horse known. My friend, who has been through all the principal studs of Australasia, from famous Kirkham (N.S.W.) to Richmond Park (S.A.), was fairly enraptured with Sylvia Park, and said he, “ Now it is to be seen where you get your size and strength from.” Those hills, though said he, in our country they would only be called rises or mounds, are of the limestone description, such as I saw at Sir Joshua Peter Bell’s famous stud, “ The Grange,” near Ipswich, Queensland, and from which property came those good horses Lothair, Le Grand, Wheatear and Co.

Mr Joseph Bennett, one of the best of breeding students, often told my friend these words, “ See Sylvia Park, my boy, and be prepared to die, because you will ever see anything better.” But now to other matters. On a former visit I took an especial fancy for a youngster by Seaton Delaval from Leocante, this was a bay with a white streak down the face, and with the near hind foot white. Upon inquiry to stud groom Wilson, I heard that my pet was dead, but it soom became apparent that the genial Harry and his head lad were, to use a Colonial expression, “pulling my leg,” for upon going to one of those well ventilated boxes, for which the propery is famous, there could be seen my pet of the former trip. No finer specimen of a yearling has been seen this season in the Australasian colonies- Even now, he is furnished like a two-year-old, his legs are like bars of steel, added to which he has gameness depicted all round, and has proved to H.W.’s satisfaction that he can get over the ground at a great pace. I predict a big figure being given for this bonnie chap at the coming sales. A member of one of Australasia’s most famous families was next introduced in a brown filly by St. Hippo from Liquidation, by King Cole (imp.) from Realisation, by Vespasian from Hopeful Duchess, by the famous Flying Dutchman. If ever a youngster should gallop surely this should be the one, as Realisation was the dam of Result (who in turn produced Retort), Rifleshot, and Maxim Of the last-named nothing need be said; his performances speak for themselves. My friend has a vivid recollection of Maxim running Chester’s best son, Abercorn, to a head at Fie 31when both were two years old, and this, too, after beine but two or three days off the boat. If the breeding be good on the dam’s side, what can be said of the sire ? St. Hippo, by St Leger (imp ) from Hippona, by Robinson Crusoe from Lamorna by Fireworks from Nightlight (imp.). The excellence of the St. Leger stock is admitted all the world over; then add to this the Robinson Crusoe strain, he being by Angler from Chrysolite, by Stockwell from Juliet, the grand dam of Goldsborough, Robin Hood, Charon, etc. But there is another famous strain through Fireworks (sire of Goldsborough). Fireworks was by Kelpie from good old Gaslight, and he is the only horse with two V.R.C. Derbies to his name. Therefore the filly under notice is fud of the best running strains south of the line. Liquidation’s daughter has no white about her, is lengthy, and blessed with a splendid set of legs, and when her racing career (wdiich should be a brilliant one) is over she should be invaluable as a brood mare.

A chestnut filly by St. Leger from Bellona came next, and this aristocratic youngster has a white streak down the face and both hind feet white. This filly also comes from a good family on the dam’s side, as Bellona is by Nelson (King Cole —My Idea) from Muskerina, by Musket from Hipporina, by Hippocampus. The chestnut shows plenty of quality, andjthe stud groom tells me she can use her legs properly. The result of St. Leger’s union with Charente is a wonderfully well grown chestnut filly, with a white streak down the face and both hind legs white. The bone is of the best, whilst length and quality can also be seen. Charente is by Nordenfeldt from La Dauphine, by The Dauphin from Brassolis, by Panic (imp ). This is another good line to follow, as everyone knows that, Nordenfeldt was a great racehorse, as also was Panic, who won a Champion race, and with lOst on his back ran second in a Melbourne Cup. Then agaid, The Dauphin was by Traducer, whose name is even now a power in the land. By St. Hippo from Ellerslie, by Trenton from a daughter of Lady Grenville, by First King, by King of the Bring. Lady Grenville, who was by Chandos from Lady Chester, dnm of Chester, Monmouth, Roodee, etc., said Mr Wilson as a bay filly with black points and no white to be seen stood forth, and a good one she is to be sure—length, quality, bone and substance all combined. Our visitor is in love with this filly, probably on account of Lord Grenville, a half-brother to the grand dam, over whom he won a good stake in South Australia. Ellerslie comes from a great family, as she is by Tren-

ton (a champion of his day) from a daughter of Lady Grenville, by Chandos (imp.) from Lady Chester (dam of Chester, Monmouth, Clieveden, Roodee, etc.) This filly is one of the stud groom’s pets, and he has everything in his favor when he says she is a clinker. To see her move is a treat. A bay filly, with a small star and a few white hairs on the off heel, claims the parentage of St. Hippo and Innisfail, and therefore she is threequarter sister to St. Innis. This is another of the good sorts —lengthy, with good bone, plenty of lung room, and a good mover. Innisfail is by Nordenfeldt from Inisthona, by Leonidas from Moilena, by Patriarch. Nordenfeldt, as already stated, was a great racehorse, as also was Patriarch (son of Yattendon). The granddam of this filly (Inisthona) is the dam of the Mangere champion, Fabulist.

One of another famous family puts in an appearance in a brown filly by St Hippo from Stepfeldt, by Nordenfeldt from Steppe (imp.), by Saunterer from Seclusion (dam of the mighty Hermit). This youngster is a general favorite with every visitor, and small wonder. The quality is there, as is also the size, bone, and substance. What a famous family to be sure is that on the dam’s side, as Steppe to English Prince Charlie produced the mighty Lochiel, and to Doncaster produced the brilliant Russley (sire of the A.J.C. Derby winner, Picture). To Cadogan she threw that good mare Lady Norah. Her union with Anteros gave to the world the flying Too Soon. Then came old John Chaafe’s pet, Tartar, by Musket. Mated with Nordenfeldt the good old dame produced She (the dam of Mr W. R. Wilson’s great colt Bobadil). By Nordenfeldt she also produced Stepniak, whilst her progeny by Ingomar was that sterling bit of horseflesh Mahaki. Truly a wonderful family this, as each one of the old mare’s progeny could both go fast and stay. Then, again, her sons Lochiel and Russley have made their names world famous at the stud. The filly should be worth a mint of money as a brood mare. A bay filly by St. Hippo from Waitemata presents rather a leggy appearance, but this is explained by Mr Wilson as being through a slight sickness. The filly looks a thorough galloper, taken from every point of view. No fault can be found with her breeding, as her dam is by Eiridspord (sire of the Caulfield Cup winner, Hymettus) from Aorere, by Chester from Kaipara, by Goldsborough from Maritana, by New Warrior from Mermaid, by Fisherman (imp). Eiridspord s breeding is too well known to need comment, suffice it to say that he is by one of the best of English racehorses, Isonomy from Sonsie Queen, by Musket. In a paddock near the stables we were introduced to three yearling colts, the first to come near us being a chestnut with a white streak down the face and two white hind legs. He is by St. Hippo from Campania (the dam of Mr Dan McLeod’s flying filly, Miss Delaval). To fill a book would do no more than to say this is a perfect gentleman, well ribbed, with plenty of reach and good legs. He is a purely typical representative of the thoroughbred. Mr W. R. Wilson, of St. Albans, bred the dam of this youngster, and she is by Robinson Crusoe from Campanilla, by Manbyrnongfrom Silver Bell (full sister to Chester). It was certainly a wise move on the part of Messrs Nathan Bros, to secure this highly-bred filly for their stud. In fact especial care seems to have been taken in selecting the mares, so as to avoid any blot upon the family escutcheon. Such being the case, there need be no fear as to the success of the Sylvia Park matrons. The colt under notice will surely realise a big figure. One of the best of Seaton Delaval’s progeny is to be seen in a chestnut colt with a white streak down the face, near hind foot white, and a small patch of white on the off fore foot. This colt is out of Sybil, whilst her breeding is by Leolinus from Atlantis (imp.), by Thormanby from Hurricane, by Wild Dayrell. This is a good family on the dam’s side, as from Atlantis have descended St. Leger, Happy Land (dam of Hova), Fabulous (sire of Fabulist), and North Atlantic. This chestnut colt of Seaton Delaval’s has much better bone than any of those yet seen out. He is a well-ribbed colt with plenty of length, and an undoubted galloper. The chestnut is a great pet with the stud groom. “ Here comes Waiuku,” said Harry Wilson, as a brown colt by St. Leger from Sunbeam, by Ingomar (imp.) from Amohia, by Towton (imp.), came along. If only as good as the horse Messrs Nathan Bros.’ manager puts him down as being a good likeness of, then may great things be anticipated. Be these as they may, this brown, with a small star and two white hind coronets, is a beauty. However, he is a late foal, and does not perhaps come up to the standard of his chums, but evidence is on hand that he is very slippery and a beautiful mover at that. In fact, to use a well-known trainer’s words he looks able to gallop “ as fast as you can clap your hands.” This finished the inspections of the yearlings, after which came, of course, the mares and foals, journeying over a beautiful sward of rich pasture we were introduced to a chestnut mare with a white off hind foot and a star on the forehead, her name being Liquidation, whose breeding is fully referred to previously. Coming from such a wonderful family, Liquidation could not, from a breeder’s point of view, be other than a success at the stud, and this theory is proved by the performance of her brilliant son, Hastings, by Seaton Delaval. To the imported horse she has this year produced a bay colt, with a small star and two white hind feet. This is a beautiful colt, quality from nose to tail, and as active as it is possible to be. It is mutually agreed that he stands on top for the year, and as if to prove the verdict he showed his pace, and that is something to be remembered. Punters will know this in the future.

Nelson’s bay daughter, Bellona, is responsible for a bay filly, with a small star and a white off hind foot; This is a late foal, but a rare shaped one. When the saddle is bn there will be little of the back to be seen. She has also a great forequarter, and no exception can be taken to her

loin or ribbing up. Behind she is fairly powerful, and she is also blessed with good legs. I have omitted previously to state that My Idea (Nelson’s dam) came from a famous family, as she goes back to a mare named Mirror, imported to Tasmania by the late Hon. John Lord. A trace through the stud books show that Mirror was responsible for the production of many of the best horses in Australia. Ev ary thing claiming the old Tasmanian mare in its pedigree could gallop, and if the writer is not mistaken, the bay filly under notice will prove a worthy member of the tribe. Innisfail, a bay daughter of Nordenfeldt and Inisthona (dam of John Lennard’s pet, Fabulist), is followed by a strapping bay colt by St. Hippo. The youngster has three white feet, and is a cocky gentleman. He moves beautifully, and is evidently a worthy member of a famous family. My companion has a great liking for the colt under notice. Leocante, by Leolinus from Cantiniere (by Musket), gives to the racing world a grandlyshaped bay filly by Seaton Delaval. The youngster has a small star on the forehead, and is a nice specimen of the thoroughbred. After seeing Leocante’s yearling, mentioned in the early part of my notes, I expected to see something good, and I candidly admit I was not disappointed. The chestnut mare Waitemata, by Eiridspord (sire of Hymettus) from a daughter of Chester, has a magnificent chestnut filly at her side. The “ wee one” has two white hind feet, and is a thorough autocrat. The future of this filly I shall watch with great interest. On the dam’s side we have all the best of Australian strains, whilst Eiridspord was, as originally stated, by Isonomy, one of the best horses England ever saw, from a daughter of the great New Zealand favorite, Musket, to wit Sonsie Queen, who in turn was a daughter of Highland Lassie, by Cats rer or Stockwell. Nothing could be better bred in the world than the chestnut under notice, Roie (a full sister to St. Hippo) comes trotting along with a light bay filly by Seaton Delaval, with a white hind foot. This youngster shows heaps of quality, in fact my friend absolutely picks her out as the champion of the stud, with which opinion Ido not absolutely agree. There can be no doubt whatever that, in breeding lines, Roie’s filly cannot be beaten. Coming from such famous strains, surely the bay cannot be a bad one.

Sybil, a chestnut mare by Leolinus (imp ) from Atlantis, by Thormanby, is attended by a nice bay filly by Seaton Delaval. This youngster has a star on the forehead, and is a lively foal. Mr Wilson (stud groom) tells me that the filly under notice can “ get along” all right, and from her shape and breeding it would be hard to think otherwise.

Stepfeldt, whose pedigree is already dealt with, comes along with a bay colt by St. Hippo. The “ baby” has been for some time on the sick list, in fact so delicate was he that Mr Wilson tells me he gave the foal half a bottle of beer each day. However, the colt has completely recovered and he now stands out very prominently. It would be strange, indeed, if a youngster bred as this one is was not a racehorse. If good looks, quality, and good bone stand out for aught then Stepfeldt’s colt will be heard of in the future. Charente (already referred to, and whose breeding is of the highest) comes along with a chestnut colt by Seaton Delaval. The colt has a star and snip, and has also two white feet, the off fore and the near hind. Taken every way, this is a really nice colt, possessing size, quality, and substance, and it will be mighty strange if in this chestnut Nordenfeldt’s daughter has not given us a racehorse of high class Maratea (by Nordenfeldt from Fishgirl) has at her heels a bay filly by St. Hippo, with a white face and a white off fore foot. Stud groom Wilson has a great idea of this filly, and it seems hard to understand why his arguments are not on the right side of the hedge. As if, however, to prove his assertions, the filly shows plenty of pace in a dash across the paddock. This brought our inspection to a close, and although there were many mares present, representing other owners (including two owned by the Hon. Hugh Mosman), we refrain from mentioning anything in connection therewith. Sylvia' Park never appeared to' greater advantage, and it will be strange indeed if the youngsters now there do not do credit to the judgment of Messrs Nathan Bros. On the property there is an abundance of grass and water, with all fences secure. In the present stud groom there can be found a man who thoroughly understands his business, every youngster on the place being handled by him as if they were pet sheep.