SYLVIA PARK.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 479, 28 September 1899, Page 13

SYLVIA PARK.

LBy

Atlas.]

Recently I had again the pleasure of renewing my acquaintance with the members of the Sylvia Park Stud. These periodical visits to such excellent breeding establishments are always a source of pleasure to the real lovers of the thoroughbred. It is not always that the regular attendant of the racecourse and so-called sportsman is the real lover of the thoroughbred. Some of these care more for the tote than the racehorse, and would be bored if asked to participate in a visit of inspection to our studs; but, fortunately, this class is in a minority in the sporting world, for the great majority would dearly like to see the efforts of the Messrs Nathan, Morrin, Walters, Major George, and other horse breeders to produce the very best class of horse crowned with success. The party of which I had the pleasure of being one was very appreciative, and included Messrs J. and A. Davis, the latter of whom has always taken a lively interest in the management of the Sylvia Park Stud Farm. I never remember the paddocks looking so well —and that is saying a lot, for Sylvia Park*always bears a verdant appearance, truly refreshing to the ordinary city man. This year, however, the Park is clothed in an extra wealth of gsass, and this fact should have the effect of making the stock rolling fat before Christmas-time, when the annual sale of yearlings will be held. Unfortunately, influenza was rife at Sylvia Park during the keen winter months ; and under such circumstances we could not expect to find all the inmates in the pink of health, but their condition is such as to reflect the highest credit on the stud groom (Harry Wilson) and his assistant.

The first exhibit was Seaton Delaval, the horse bought in England by Mr L. D. Nathan. I first saw him on board the steamer in Sydney, and then all Press scribes who interviewed him voted him a good one, and 1 venture to say that if those judges who admired Seaton Delaval in Sydney saw him to-day they would feel inclined to clap their hands in token of their admiration of the still more beautiful animal he has furnished into. That, too, in face of the fact that he has not escaped the ills that horse-flesh is heir to. He experienced the tortures of the strangles, but he has a beautiful constitution, as well as temper, anc, aided by the unremitting care of Harry Wilson, he made a splendid recovery, and is perhaps better now than he ever was in his life. It would be a thousand pities, not only for the Messrs Nathan Bros, but for the racing community generally, if it were otherwise, for Seaton Delaval’s young progeny have already demonstrated what his worth is likely to be as a sire. We are proud, no doubt, of such lords of the harem as Hotchkiss, Castor, St. Leger, Cuirassier, etc., but that does not prevent us thoroughly applauding the success of Messrs Nathan Bros.’ t nterprise in importing a stranger whose progeny in the first year they raced as two year«olds, placed the young English horse at the head of the list ot winning sires of two-year-olds. This, certainly, was a great commencement, and it was particularly creditable seeing that the horse was represented by about half a dozen animals; but these included such brilliant fillies as Miss Delaval and Bosella, to say nothing of Hastings, who, George Wright told me, had shown him the greatest gallop as a two-year-old that any youngster of that age had ever shown him, and that is seeing a great deal when we remember the “hummers” that have passed through the Ellerslie trainer’s hands. Surely, these few facts are sufficient to commend Seaton Delaval io the attention of owners of mares, but he has

done more by commencing this season well. The very first race of the season in the Auckland Province—the Avondale Maiden Plate—was appropriated by Jim Keane, who is by Seaton Delaval; while Beddington, another of his progeny, ran into second place for the Avondale Stakes, for two-year-olds. That these Seaton Delavals can gallop is therefore amply proved, and what more do we want when that fact is forced on us in such a remarkable manner, and when we kno *, too, tbe great breeding of this horse. As most of our readers are aware, he is by Melton (the winner of an English Derby) from Rosedale, by Rotherhill from Moss Rose, by King Tom. Melton, who was a very highclass horse, was by Master Kildare from Violet Melrose, by Scottish Chief from Violet, by ' or manby. All over Seaton Delaval combines quality with power, and is a beautiful bay in color. In England he won a lot of races, and proved that he could both stay and gallop fast. These are just the recommendations we want for a sire for our mares; and if Seaton Delaval goes on as he has commenced, the success of Sylvia Park will be more commensurate with the money expended thereon in the by a liberal proprietary, and to whose enterprise the turf of New Zealand owes a lot.

The yearlings to be sold by auction in January next are ten in number, and a decidedly even lot. After feasting our eyes on Seaton Delaval, Mr Dolph Davis and the groom led the way to the paddock, where the fillies were enjoying the rich grass. The beautifully-bred Campania has contributed a very fine filly by St. Leger. She is a chestnut, carrying the usual Stockwell family marks white stockings — and is nicely put together. Those powerful hind-quarters should make her a galloper. Last year Campania’s foal was a colt by St. Hippo, full of promise, but unfortunately be met with an accident, and had to be shelved. As a brood mare Campania is a success, for her first production was Miss Delaval.' The present youngster is therefore is half sister to Mr Dan McLeod’s smart filly, and it will be interest ing to watch whether Seaton Delaval or St. Leger will be the best nick for Campania The da,m herself was bred in Victoria at the famed St Albans, and comes from a great family, as she was got in 1891 by Robinson Crusoe, her dam Campanella being by Maribyrnong, by Yattendon, and thus from both the dam’s and sire’s side the present y ar’s filly has a strong strain of Stockwell blood, but not too strong. These facts are sure to command the attention of buyers when Mr Philson waxes eloquent and brandishes his hammer.

I was pleased to see how well the bay filly by Seaton Delaval out of Leocant had come on lately. There is a lot of the character of her brother, who brought the top price of the market last year, about her, and she is really well grown, and will still improve between this and sale day. She has a small star on the forehead. This is Leocant’s second foal, and I am inclined to think that the mare will throw good stock. She was bred at Sylvia Park, and is by Leolinus (who, I think, never had a proper show at the stud) out of Cantiniere, and remember that Cantiniere is by good old Musket out of Queen Bess, by Nutworth out of a daughter of Riddlesworth. I confess to a strong liking for this filly, and think it is possible that she will turn out the best of the quintette. Bellona, by Nelson from Muskerina, by Musket from Hipporina, presents a nice brown compact filly, by St. Hippo, with a star and a white off hind foot. This youngster was an early foal, but she is beautifully shaped, and when the saddle is on there will be little of the back to be seen. Her quarters, fore and aft, are good, and I shall not be surprised to see her strip a fine looking filly —not big, but compact —in the sale ring. The chestnut filly by St. Leger out of Waitemata has a very taking appearance, and is endowed with more power than St. Hippo has hitherto generally given his stock behind. She carries some of Stockwell’s marks, as in addition to her color she has two white hind feet, and is well served with a good fore arm and back. The dam is herself a chestnut, and it is interesting to run through the head lines of her pedigree, as she is by Eridspord out of Aorere, by Chester from Kaipara, by Goldsborough from Maritana, by New Warrior from Meimaid.-by Fisherman. Recollect, too, that Eridspord was by Isonomy, one of England’s greatest sires, and it will be admitted that the filly to be submitted this year is well worth purchasing for breeding purposes, even if she never raced, and there is but little doubt she will gallop. Another f»ct should not be forgotten, and that is that E idspord sired Hymettus, the winner of the Caulfield Cup last year. A bay filly by St. Hippo out of Maratea, with a white star, is fairly well grown, but she has one blemish, bceause she is a bit hollow backed. However, I have seen mares with this blemish turn out rare gallopers. Lady Lovel, in New South Wales, and Miss Anna, killed on the Takapuna Beach, are instances She moves well, with great liberty of action, and Harry Wilson tells me that in their gambols in the paddock she frequently shows the way. Maratea is only a young mare, and her undoubted recommendation is that she is by Nordenfeldt, and her dam, Fishgirl, by Yattendon out of Fanny Fisher, by Fisherman. Here, th< refore,'we have the f>mous Fisherman strain. In the colts’ paddock we were first introduced to a bay, by St. Hippo out of Innisfail, and therefore a three-quarter brother of St. Innis. He is an evenly shaped colt, with three white feet, the near and two hind. He is fairly well grown, and I have an idea that he will improve with age. Harry Wilson thinks he will develope into a Derby colt. That may be so, but we will have to see him later on before that opinion can be established.

The St. Leger—Ellerslie colt is a chestnut with two white hind feet. He stands well up and covers a lot of ground, but has rather alight appearance. However, there is plenty of time for him to fill out, and I take it that he will; if so, he will not be despised. His dam, Ellerslie,

is beautifully bred, as she is by that great sire and racehorse, Trenton, out of a daughter of First King, the latter in his day being one of the greatest horses that graced the turf in Australia. He won the Australian Cup in 1878, and the V. 8.0. St. Leger, beating Chester. From the dam’s side Ellerslie inherits the Stockwell blood. This, I think, is her fourth foal, and the youngster has a really grand set of legs, with plenty of reach, and should gallop fast.

People will at once fall in love with the bay cdt by Seaton Delaval out of Liquidation. Like all the Delavals, he has a lovely temper, and is marked with two white hind feet and a star. He is a full brother to Hastings, but I think he wdl be bigger and better shaped. If he can muster up the pace of his brother he will be well worth having. If he goes on improving he will be one of my picks. The colt that I have decided to pin my fancy to is the chestnut by Beaton Delaval out of Charente. He is a sturdy fellow, standing on a splendid set of legs, with good barrel and quarters, and, moreover, presents a hardy appearance. In his gambols in the paddock he seems to be boss, and leads the way whenever the youngsters are inclined to caper —and that, by the way, is not unfrequently. He is marked by a star and snip aud two white hind feet. This is tbe fellow if 1 were a purchaser (unfortunately, I am not likely to be) I would feel inclined to purchase. His dam, Charente, is by Nordenfeldt from La Dauphine, by The Dauphin from Brassolis, by Panic, imported, and when dealing with her last year I remarked : “ This is a good line to follow, as everyone knows that Nordenfeldt was a great racehorse, as also was Panic, who won a Champion Race, and with 10st on his back ran second in a Melbourne Cup. Then, again, The Dauphin was by Traducer, whose name will always be a power in the land amongst those who take an inlirest in horse breeding.” In this assertion I am sure that such old-timers as Mr George Cutts will bear me out.

I did not see the bay colt by St. Hippo —Cantiniere at his best. He is a full brother to Hylas,

and in his gambols with his mates he had been injured, and was decidedly lame; but he is coming round a bit, and I trust that before long he will be all right again, because Harry Wilson telis me he was one of the most promising of the lot. Youngsters, however, will be youngsters, but the worst of it is that the breeders, who pay the piper, have to put up with the consequences of their vagaries, which cannot be stopped.

I had a look round the mares and their foals, and most of them are in good health, with the exception of Innisfail, who has rather a bad leg, fhe result of contact with the brutal barbed wire. The following is a list of the mares that dropped foals this season -. —Miss Lillie (by St. Leger— I* ecklace). colt by Seaton Delaval, and therefore full brother to Beddington, who ran second in the Avondale Stakes. Waitemata (by Eridspord —Aorere), ch colt by Seaton Delaval. This is a fine youngster. Leocant (by Leolinus —Cantinere), ch filly by Seaton Delaval. Miss Gladys (by Cuirassier —Sybil), bay filly by Seaton Delaval. Stepfeldt (by Nordenfeldt — Steppe), ch filly by St. Leger. Sybil (by Leolinus —Atalantis), ch filly by Hotchkiss —a beautiful youngster. Jadestone (by Swordance —Onyx), a ch filly by St. Hippo. This filly, like all of Jadestone’s stock, is of great size. Lottie (by Muskapeer —Ladybird), bay filly by Seaton Delaval. Mare, owned by Mr Donald McLeod (by Cuirassier —Bianca), brown colt by Seaton Delaval. Anna (owned by the Messrs Duder), brown colt by Soult The other mares in the Park who have not foaled are -. —Bragela, in foal to Seaton Delaval; Charente, in foal to Seaton Delaval ; Campania, in foal to Seaton Delaval (this youngster, when it comes, will be a full blood relation to Miss Delaval) ; Sunbeam, in foal to St. Hippo ; Cantinere, in foal to St Leger ; Liquidation, in foal to Seaton Delaval; Innisfail, in foal to Seaton Delaval. Roie missed to Seaton Delaval Miss Emmy will be served by Seaton Delaval. Ellerslie has been served by Seaton Delaval. Trebelle (sister of Multiform) has been served by Seaton Delaval. Miss Rose has been served by Hotchkiss.