Homes of Horses.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 518, 22 November 1900, Page 13

Homes of Horses.

THE HON J. D- ORMOND’S BREEDING ESTABLISHMENT AT KARAMU.

[By Ous Hawke’s Bay Correspondent],

Very few people outside this district have any idea of the size and magnitude of this estate, and its equine occupiers, and it was for the purpose of enlightenment on behalf of the readers of the Spoeting Review that I last week took a trip out to Karamu, the estate of the registered owner of the “ all cerise ” jacket. It’s a bon y place, this property of the Hon J. D. Ormond, with its luxuriantly-grassed paddocks, beautifully sheltered with live fences and an abundance of massive willow trees that afford the mares and their youngsters a cool retreat from the rays of old Sol, when he is in a generous mood. From the public road to the stables it is a mile drive, and this down an avenue lined on either side by English trees that add to the beauty and adornment of the locality at this time of the year when their foliage is seen at its best. The stud master, Fred Carrington, was on hand to receive me upon the occasion of my visit, and his courtesy, kindness and hospitality I will not readily forget. Matters of detail like these make bright oases in the humdrum existence of those who have to work to live. After doing myself really well, and a fourteen mile drive is not a bad thing to sharpen the appetite with, we wended our way to the yearling paddock, where thirty-three youngsters were enjoying themselves, and a nice lot they are too The sterner portion of the contingent had just been operated upon, and consequently they did not look so bright by comparison as the fillies did. Anyhow all in they are a good bat ch, and in a question of good looks will take some settling. Of course, as might be expected, some tower over each other in construction and appearances, and those to my liking that lead the way are the Launcelot crop —which consists of half-a dozen, five fillies and a gelding. The pick of this bunch is the more than half - sister to Renown, a sweetlymoulded chestnut filly, who has the hall mark of aristocracy largely defined. 'J hree other similarly coloured fillies by Sir Launcelot are the Trentalto (a fine big filly with lots of freedom), Oriental, andjElflock damsels. A bay filly out of Sabra, and a chestnut gelding from Delft, are the, remaining ones sired by Sir Launcelot, who has conclusively proved that he can bestow his own good looks and conformation on his progeny. Other notable specimens on this enclosure are, the half brother to Ideal, a brown gelding by Flintlock, a similar coloured chap out of Thane by the same sire, chestnut geldings by the Musket stallion from Miss Evelyn, Aphrodite, and Industry, a bay gelding by St Andrew from Lady Brunette (Musket out of a daughter of'Ratan and Beauty), a bay filly out of Montdread, and a brown filly from Norsemaid (a sister to North Star and Nansen), both by St Leger’s son ; brown fillies from Queen of Trumps and Montmarte by Flintlock ; a big bay gelding from Morag’s halfsister Vietrix, by Mr Mckinnon’s stallion; and a nice evenly built filly by Spinfeldt, from that good old mare Martyr. Flintlock’s progeny show plenty of size, and are blessed with good healthy and bright appearance, coupled with good bone. In fact, a two-year-old daughter of his out of Newcomer, that is keeping the yearlings company, could be easily taken for a well-grown three-year-old. The next paddosk contains several of the brood mares and foals who are having sprints.on their own, and what a picture of contentment is here portrayed I Those two inseparable companions, The Shrew and Target, who now master any part of the paddock they are in, are always found coupled together. They are attended by their filly foals by The Officer, and the brace of babies look well, The Shrew’s pledge to the Robinson Crusoe horse showing most quality. Mount Ida and Enid, with their daughters by The Officer, both brown in colour, are,the next pair that we came across, and this brace of young ladies are without doubt the pick of the filly foals that have come to light this season. Other mares that are attended by their progeny here who claim attention are Hippolyte, with a filly to St Andrew ; Mo'itmai te, Industry-, Housemaid and Lullaby with bay fillies to The Officer, and Eon and Taihoa with brown fillies to the same sire. The colts who show out the best are a brown half-brother to Renown by The Officer, a quick dapper active stamp of juvenile, full of life; bay colts from Arethusa, Sabra, Queen of Trumps and Montdread, and brown colts out of Solitaire,.Trentalto, Nixie, Spot, Delft (an extra good qualify' one), Miro and Spinney. ;.y' The balance of the mares who are ye*t to foal, and who have missed or slipped their foals this term, are stationed in another enciosure, and they all seem in the enjoyment qf good health. When I state that there were fifty-seven mares sent to the stallions The and St Andrew last season, it can.b'elKen that Carrington snd his understudjfijjfe. O’Neill, have not much spare time on thjjlr hands and the healthy, bright look of their,dirges give ample proof that they have got through their arduous duties in a most creditable manner.

The Officer appears as if he were never better in his life, for he haa a beautiful healthy bloom in his coat, and his eye denotes by its lustre and brightness that he is in the enjoyment of perfect health. St Andrew, who is boxed through the day and run out at night, also looks in splendid fettle. Sir Launcelot appears as great a swell as ever. He has the run of the paddock during the day, and is stabled at night. Spinfeldt/ whose locale is a paddock on his own at all times, shows that he is well cared for and attended to.

To say that I spent a pleasant day and one full of profit can easily be imagined ,for the affability of my cicerone never wavered in the slightest from the time the flag fell till I passed the post, if not full of running—well, full of information.