THE ANNUAL THOROUGHBRED SALES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 439, 22 December 1898, Page 13

THE ANNUAL THOROUGHBRED SALES.

During the next fortnight auctioneers, breeders, and sporting men generally will have a very lively season, as during that time some of the best bred thoroughbreds south of the line will be submitted to public competition... The annual •ales of yearlings from Wellington Park and Sylvia Park are eagerly looked forward to by purchasers from all parts of the globe, and as in addition to the two famous studs mentioned, we have drafts from Papakura (Mr W. Walters) and Stebbington (Mr W. Percival’s)/ Then again comes the clearing-out sale of Messrs Alison Bros. Motu-Korea Stud, in which many choice lines may be found •, in fact there are two daughters of Musket in the list, and this affords an opportunity for breeders to secure the only direct members of the Toxophilite family in the market at the present day. The coming sules are causing more than ordinary interest, and already many Australian sportsmen are on the move for the scene of action. It can be reckoned up as a certainty that at the ring side on each of the sale days will be found Messrs W. R. Wilson (St. Albans), J. B. Pearson (Kilmany Park), H. 0. White (Havilah), S. Griffiths (Caulfield), and many other prominent Australians. We also know that Messrs Ike Foulsham (Caulfield) and Ike Earnshaw (Randwick) will be represented, and it is quite possible for Mr S. Hordern, jun., to

be in evidence on the dates to be mentioned below. For many years past it has dawned upon sportsmen throughout Australia that horses bred in the Auckland studs combine more bone and substance than do those from any other part, and further than this there is nothing kept in our recognised breeding establishments other than those animals containing the best of “ blue blood.” This year the yearlings to be offered are exceptionally well-grown, and they are not of the pampered up class; therefore purchasers know exactly what they are purchasing, and we confidently anticipate some big prices and spirited competition.

The ball will be set rolling by Messrs Hunter and Nolan on Friday, December 30th,' at Messrs L. D. and N. A. Nathan’s famous Sylvia Park Estate, when a dozen highly-bred youngsters will be offered. The brilliant performances this year of Mr D. A. McLeod’s filly, Miss Delaval, and Mr L. D. Nathan’s Hastings and Rosella, have turned turfy men’s eyes in the direction of the imported sire Seaton Delaval, find that his virtues are fully recognised and appreciated is proved by the fact that his list this year is full to overflowing. There is sure to be a big demand for the progeny of the imported horse. The first to come under notice is a chestnut filly by St. Leger from Charente, by Nordenfeldt from La Dauphine, a good shaped one and well grown, and one sure to come early. Then comes a slashing chestnut colt by St. Hippo from Maratea, by Nordenfeldt from Fishgirl, by Yattendon from Fanny Fisher, by Fisherman. A rarely bred one this beyond a doubt, whilst St. Leger’s chestnut filly from Bellona, by Nelson from Muskerina, by Musket from Hippona, leaves nothing to be desired in the way of breeding, in fact her breeding will be hard to beat in any part of the world. Another famous family comes to light in a bay filly by St. Hippo from Waitemata, by Eiridspord from Aorere, by Chester from Kaipara, by Goldsbrough. A full brother to this filly in Eiridsdale has been winning numerous races in Tasmania and Victoria this season. The whole of Australia’s best breeding lines are contained in this pedigree, for instance, Robinson Crusoe, Chester, and Goldsbrough. A brown colt by St. Leger from Sunbeam, by Ingomar (sire of Hova) from Amohia, by Towton, comes from a great racing family, and this youngster is a great paddock galloper. St. Hippo is responsible for a well-grown brown filly, and one that should come early. She is from Innisfail, by Nordenfeldt from Innisthona. by Leonidas A regular St. Albans pedigree is represented in a bay filly by St. Hippo from Ellerslie, by Trenton from a daughter of First King and Lady Grenville, by Chandos from Lady Chester, by Stockwell. If this filly never races a yard, she is worth big money as a brood mare. However, she is well grown, and knows how to move her pins. A strapping, bold-looking bay colt by Seaton Delaval from Leocante, by Leolinus from Cantiniere, by Musket, next claims attention, and he is a fine fellow. Well grown and of great substance, he should quickly take on with buyers, as also should the beautiful daughter of St. Hippo from Stepfeldt, by Nordenfeldt from Steppe, by Saunterer. Here is breeding to be studied. Meppe was half-sister to the mighty Hermit, whilst everything from her could both gallop and stay. The purchaser of this filly should quickly get his money back, as she is sure to come early. The champion of the paddock track comes next, in a chestnut colt by Seaton Delaval from Sybil, by Leolinus from Atalantis (imp.). He shows great quality and is well grown, and can gallop fast.- St. Hippo’s bay filly from Liquidation, by King Cole from Realisation, requires ro laudation as to pedigree, for a reference to the catalogue shows her to be connected with the best running families in the world. The last of the dozen is a chestnut colt by St. Hippo from Campania, by Robinson Crusoe from Campanilla, by Maribyrnong from Silver Bell (sister to Chester). This colt is half-brother to the flying Miss Delaval, and is a good looking colt who should go fast and stay well. Taken all through, the Sylvia Park youngsters will be found a sterling good lot.

'1 he second day’s proceedings will take place at Messrs Hunter and Nolan’s Durham Street yards on Saturday, D< cember 31, when the whole of Messrs Alison Bros.’ Motu-Korea Stud will be sold by auction. The sal commences at 10 a.m., and the number of lots will be twenty-one. Some very valuable animals will be found therein, and the Musket mares should realise high prices. A start will be made with the brood mare Muriel, by St. Leger from Lady Mary, by Towton (imp ), but a full description of the whole appears in another part of this issue.

The third day’s sale takes place on Wednesday, January 4, and it is probably the most important of the lot, for it is none other than the annual distribution of Mr Thomas Morrin’s Wellington Park yearlings. Wellington Park has become world-famous, and justly so. No breeding establishment south of- the line has turned out such a number of winners, and certainly not such a number of high-class horses. Mr Morrin’s catalogue tells us that horses bred from mares ati|Wellington Park have annexed in stakes alone no less than the immense sum of £144,000. Such a result is wonderful, and what wonderful horses, to be sure, helped to gather in the spoil. Good old Frailty produced Trenton, Niagara, Cuirassier, Cissy, Mary, Havoc, and Zalinski. Ouida gave to the world, among others, Artillery, Hilda, Hazel, and the wonderful Strathmore, said by Mr Leslie be the best colt ever seen in Victoria. Then, again, we have Collarette, Cravat, Armilia, True Blue, Multiform, Uniform, Waiorongomai, Forme, Formo, Screw Gun, and scores of others too numerous to mention in this column.

This year Mr Morrin sends up twenty-three youngsters, of which ten are colts and thirteen fillies. Unfortunately for the breeder, there is no Frailty youngster this year, but Oaida is represented by a magnificent brown colt by St. Leger.

This is a grand combination of blood, as Ouida is by Yattendon from Gulnare, by Little John. This colt will cause spirited competition, and we hope to see some of our wealthy sportsmen purchase him. We have recently devoted so much space to the Wellington Park Stud that it is un necessary to go through each individual lot to-day. The colts are a good, even lot, but this year the fillies appear to be better all round, and we fully expect to find that the average prices obtained will be big. We will have the opportunity next week of drawing further attention to this most important sale.