IMPORTANT STUD SALE.

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

IMPORTANT STUD SALE.

THE MOTU-KOEEA STUD

[By

Atlas.]

When a short time back we announced that Messrs Alison Bros., the well-known North Shore sportsmen, had decided to dispose of the whole of their thoroughbred stock the expressions of regret were general, and many hopes were expressed that the brothers would relent of their purpose, but we have now to announce that on Friday, December 30th, Messrs Hunter and Nolan will submit to public auction at their Durham Street sale yards the whole of the thoroughbred stock of the Motu-Korea Stud now running at Brown’s Island, and thus another turf landmark will disappear from our sight, much to the regret of the racing world generally. Money and time has never been spared by Adison Bros, in securing what they considered the best lines of blood for their stud. When some half-dozen years ago the North Shore sportsmen came upon the scene as breeders, mares of the very best strains of blood were secured, amongst them being three direct daughters of that most celebrated of all stallions south of the line, Musket to wit. These mares, Tamora (dam of Nestor, etc.), Phantom and Torment, are the only direct descendants of the old Toxophilite horse in the sale market of the world to-day. They are both very fine specimens, and I trust that our New Zealand breeders will not allow these two Musket mares to be purchased for Australia. The Musket strain in mares is disappearing from our midst in an alarming manner, and I know of no opportunity other than the one now offered by the regrettable retirement from the ranks of breeders of Messrs Alison Bros., whereby other studmasters will have a chance of securing direct daughters of Toxophilite’s great son. Everywhere south of the line, and aye, even in merry old England, Musket’s daughters have been a gigantic success, and, properly mated, this success will continue. Desiring to place before the readers of the Review all up to-date information concerning the stud to be offered by Messrs Hunter and Nolan on the 30th, I one day during the week, accompanied by an old sporting scribe, visited Brown’s Island, where the stud is located We were accompanied by Messrs E. W and A. Aiison, and, as the water was smooth and the tide high, that good little steamer, Planet, landed us at the island jetty in double quick time. The first item to attract my attention was the wonderful supply of feed of all the choicest kinds, from the good old English clover downwards. Therefore we naturally expected to find the stock looking well, and in this particular we were not disappointed. Everything is m tip top condition, the cattle and sheep being simply, to use a Sydney auctioneer’s well-known phrase, “ balls of fat.” Seeing the stock on Brown’s Island, which by the way consists of some 150 acres, every portion of which is covered with the richest of grasses, the thought struck me that the island would suit some of the Australian sportsmen now in our midst as a stud farm, wherefrom they could feed year by year their Australasian stables with yearlings combining both size and substance, and I feel sure that if breeders like Messrs W. R. Wilson, H. 0. White, and J. B. Pearson, who are now in our midst, were to have a good look over the property, one or other would fall in with my idea. Of this, however; more anon. Of course the first of the thoroughbreds to come under notice was the lord of the harem, Regel, by St. Leger from Atlanta, by Dainty Ariel from Moonshine (imp.) by The Libel from Twilight, by Velocipede. Therefore it goes without saying that in Regel’s veins can be found some of the choicest strains of New Zealand running blood. Standing close upon 16.1 and a rich brown in color, Regel is marked with a star and a white hind foot. Truly he is a nice horse ; he has a beautiful head and neck, well let in to perfect shoulders, with a good barrel and excellent loins, but its when you are behind him that his immense power becomes apparent; with quarters big enough for a dray horse and excellent timber underneath him, he is a regulary dandy. He is quality all through, and has a beautiful temper. I am told that when in training St. Leger’s son showed great pace, and his owners considered that upon one occasion the V.R.O. Newmarket Handicap was completely at their mercy. He had shown them a trial better than Imin 14»ec for the six furlongs, but alas, the colt went wrong and had to be scratched. The stock sired by Regel are a credit to him, as I feel sure spectators will admit when they see them in the sale ring on the 30th.

In a paddock close to the house - e were introduced to two eharming fillies, in one of which I held particular interest. She is a bright bay daughter of Seaton Delaval from Phantom, by Musket from Atlantis. The dam of this filly died foaling, and when I saw this “ wee orphan ” some twelve months ago I despaired of her life. Therefore my astonishment was great when Mr Alison informed me that the slashing, great bay filly, with a patch of white on one of the fore feet, was none other than the sickly youngster of last year. Reared by hand Phantom’s bonnie daughter is a splendid advertisement for the stud groom under whose care she has been reared. Wonderfully well-grown, of good shape and

make, and also legs like bars of steel, Seaton Delaval’s daughter is bound to cause a stir amongst buyers when brought into the ring. Her breeding is of the best, as the Seaton Delaval cross upon the Musket mare cannot fail to be successful.

By “ Regel from Friendship,” said Mr Alison, as an immense chestnut filly, with a blaze down the face and a white hind foot, came forward. As long as the proverbial ship, with legs like steel bars and showing quality all through, this is, indeed, a fine filly, and so she should be, for, in addition to Kegel’s good breeding, her dam comes from one of the most famous of N.S.W families. Bred by Mr Richard Rouse, Friendship is by Reprieve (Yattendon —Gazelle) from Nydia, by Tarragon (Champion Race winner) from Atalanta, by Reprieve (imp.) Everything on the dam’s side could race, and to New Zealanders, r the good deeds of Friendship are too fresh.in memory to need recapitulation, and the chestnut filly under notice, is a worthy daughter of. a great family, < Further away on the hillside we came across a strapping bay yearling gelding, by Regel from Pearl, by The Barb from Ladybird. In this colt Regel has sired one much after his own stamp, and I take it, that after racing men see the progeny of the Brown’s Island pet, he will be much sought after. The gelding under notice should, from appearances, go fast, and stay as long as a youngster at an ice cream cart. A yearling bay filly, by Regel from May, by King Cole from Friendship, is another of the good sorts, well grown, of good shape, and showing heaps of quality, and the good legs of her sire, this young lady should meet with a hearty reception in the sale ring. I might here point but that on the dam’s side, the King Cole cross “comes home to roost ” through Nelson, undoubtedly, one of the best horses ever seen in New Zealand. Nelson is by King Cole from My Idea, by Yattendon, whilst Friendship is by one of Yattendon’s best sons, Reprieve, who, by the way, was fullbrother to Pardon, dam of Lady Betty, Pigeontoe, etc. There is nothing better bred in Aus- / tralia than the Friendship family, and the St. Leger tribe in New Zealand speak forthemselves. The filly under notice is a worthy representative. Taking the young stock in order, we fall across

a two-year-old filly by Regel from good old Friendship. This aristocratic youngster was unfortunately injured when a foal, and a damaged hock was the result. This, however, is merely an eyesore, and does not prevent the young lady from showing all the family galloping powers, Well grown in every particular, this pretty filly has a white near hind foot, and bar the blemish above mentioned no fault can be found with her. If she never raced one yard her blood as a brood mare should be invaluable. "

Jessie, the dam of John Booth’s champion Rex (by St. Leger) and the speedy Chasseur (by Cuirassier), is responsible fora two-year-old chestnut filly by Regel. Wonderfully well grown, and showing more power and substance than’ Rex, she is a great mover. I take it that this is the best representative that Jessie has yet given us, and as to different sires we have had Rex and Chasseur, both very brilliant animals, it is only fair to anticipate good deeds from the chestnut filly under notice. A bay two-year-old, gelding by Regel from Tamora, and. therefore half-brother to Nestor, next claims attention. He is brimful of quality and well grown. This is not to be wondered at, as his dam is a Musket marc, and one that never threw a bad one. This is a full-brother to that improving colt, Regulus, now in full work at Ellerslie.

A great bouncing three year-old filly by Regel from Vasator, by Captivator from Vacillation, by Knottinglcy from Atalanta, has been broken in but not tried. Few three year-olds wi.l be found with the size and substance of this joung lady, and that she knows howto move her lege is made evident by the style in which she moves across the paddock. Having now seen all the yearlings, two-year-olds, and three-year-olds, we turn our attention to the good old dames browsing upon the hillside.

Tamora, as the dam of Nestor, takes, of course, the pride of place at Brown’s Island. A bay in color, the daughter of Musket and Moonlight can be labelled Al. She is bred the right way, as Moonlight, her dam, is by Ake Ake from Moonbeam, by Pacific (imp.) from Moonshine, by The Libel. This is rare breeding, and a bay colt by Regel shows all the family quality. This year the Messrs Alison have sent I’amora on a visit to Seaton Delaval. Singular to say, I’amora has bred seven foals, and every one colts.

Her Ladyship is a bay mare by Nelson (King . Cole —My Idea) from Phantom, by Musket. She • is a mare worthy of her high lineage, but pnfor- ; tunately this year she has no foal, but has gone on a visit to Seaton Delaval.

The bay mare Torment, by Musket from Hannah, by Traducer from Renga, by Diomedesfrom Waimea, by Sir Hercules, boasts of the best blood in the world. On every side can be found cham-, pions of the first water. To Nelson this same Torment produced our own Miss Nelson, and everyone knows what sort of a mare she is. This year Torment is followed by a filly by Regel, and this is her first filly since she produced Miss Nelson. The youngster looks all over a goer, and is of excellent quality; Breeding students will notice that through Waimea and Sir Hercules, Torment goes back to the same valuable lines as are found in grand old Frailty’s pedigree. , .

A handsome bay mare named Revenant, by Nelson from Phantom, by Musket, is followed by her first foal, a colt, brown in color with two white hind feet. He is by Regel, and is a great pet with his breeders; and justly so, as look at him as you will he catches the eye at once. Like all the others at the island, he is well grown, and is as active as* a kitten.

“The dam of Rex and Chasseur,” said Mr Alison, as a handsome chestnut mare named Jessie came strolling along. She is by Anteros (imp.) from Tres Deuce, by Traducer from Gitana, by Sir Hercules from II Barbiere. To St« '

Jjeger Jessie produced Hex, one of the most brilliant horses in the land, and to Cuirassier she threw Chasseur, the hero of the 0.J.0. Stewards’ Handicap. This year the bonme chestnut has no foal,, but it is firmly believed that she is now in foal to Hegel. Jessie’s dam is a fullBister to the brilliant Calumny (winner of the Newmarket Handicap, etc.), and she, therefore, comes from one of the best running families south of the line. Brimful of quality, she is indeed a fit occupant for any stud in Australasia. A bay mare well known to the whole of the Australasian turf world, next claims our attention, ■■■ and she is none other than Friendship, one of the most brilliant performers of her day. Prior to noming to New Zealand this mare did good service in Australia in the “cerise and black” of that most successful trainer, Mr William Kelso, and here in our own land she electrified turf patrons on more than one occasion. Her good deeds are too fresh in the memory of sportsmen to need recapitulation here. She comes from a famous family, her sire, Reprieve (by Yattendon —Gazelle) being a great racehorse, as also were his brother and sister, Burwood and Pardon, and the latter is the dam of Mr W. Cooper’s Lady Betty, who raced so well in England.’ On the dam’s side Friendship loses nothing, as Nydia and all her tribe could, as old Jack Chaafe would say, gallop as fast as you could clap your hands. This year Friendship has a bay filly at foot by Regel, and she is now on a visit to Cuirassier. This mare will be hard to beat in any Australasian stud. ' A bay mare named May, by King Cole from Friendship, is followed by a bay filly claiming as her sire Begel. This is a bonny youngster, as indeed it should be from its breeding. Through producing Nelson, King Cole endeared himself to New Zealanders, but his laurels do not rest solely with Nelson, for the old chap sired some scores of good ones, and it will be surprising indeed if this fine daughter of Friendship and the son of King Tom’s son does not add fame to the family. May is possessed of great qnality, and would be an ornament to any stud in the world, whilst the youngster at her side bears testimony to her worth as a matron. As a big strapping brown mare comes along with a brown filly foal (marked with a small star) at foot, we find she is named Tio and she is by Brigadier from Pearl, who has been previously mentioned as being by The Barb from Ladybird. This young mare should make a name for herself ,•/ at the stud, and the youngster at her side bears good testimony for Regel, whom she has re- > visited. Muriel is the name of a handsome bay mare by ' St. Leger from Lady Mary, by Towton (imp.) Muriel has a dashing chestnut filly by Regel at her side, and this year she has paid a visit to Cuirassier. A rarely bred one is this same mare, for, in addition to St. Leger’s good blood, she carries: the, same blood on the dam’s side as Darebin, as Towton was a full brother to Darebin’s sire, The Peer. Small wonder then that her ’ youngster knows how to move herself in a pad-dock-gallop. Mysterious is the name of a big upstanding brown mare by Carbineer from Mystery, by The Painter from Fortuna. She is followed by an ’ immense bay colt, marked with a small star. Full of dignity and importance is this son of Regel and he at once shows hatred to members of the Fourth Estate. A reference to the “ Stud Book” tells us that Carbineer is by good old Musket from Una, by St. Aubynfrom Miss Rowe, by Sir Hercules. With the cross of The Painter given in, nothing better can be desired, for be it remembered that The Painter was by The Marquis (sire of Newminster, etc.) from Art Union, by Ferryman (son of Fisherman) from Gildermere, by Flying Dutchman. Look at this pedi--1 gree as we may it is hard to fault, and Mysterious should cause some spirited bidding# A bay mare with a small star and two white H hind feet is named Vasator, and she is by Captivator (imp.) from Vacillation, by Knottingiey ’ from Atalanta. This handsome mare is followed by a slashing bay colt foal by Regel, whom she has re-visited The foal is a highly creditable specimen, and proves Vasator’s worth as a brood mare. Her owners entertain a high opinion of Vasator, and, on breeding alone, this opinion is justifiable. A handsome flea bitten grey mare attracts attention at once, and an enquiry elicits the information that her name is Pearl, by The Barb from Ladybird. Pearl has evidently thrown back to the dam’s side of The Barb’s family, which accounted for numerous greys, whilst he was a ? jet black himself. In Australia mares by the “ black demon,” as he was called, are now much prized. Cinnamon (the dam of the mighty Abercorn) was a daughter of John Tait’s old pet, and there are scores of others helping to keep his memory green. Pearl is a creditable representative of the family. This completed our inspection, and we could not but express regret at the breaking-up of such a nice little stud. Although the Messrs Alison are giving up breeding, it is pleasing to know that they will still continue to race a few horses.