THE BREAK UP OF THE KELBURA STUD.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 815, 19 October 1905, Page 7

THE BREAK UP OF THE KELBURA STUD.

To those who have at heart the improvement of the bloodstock of this colony, the news of yet another stud to be broken up will be read with feelings of sincere regret. When Mr. Hugo Friedlander established the Kelbrun Stud some years ago, he spared no expense in getting together a collection of first-class brood mares, and it seemed probable that what might have proved one of the great stud farms of the colonies had been brought into existence. For a variety of reasons, however, a determination has been arrived at to hold a dispersal sale, and this will take place at the stud farm on November. It is a saying as old as the hills that ’tis an ill wind which blows nobody good, and therefore much as we may deplore the reason which actuated Mr. Friedlander in breaking up the stud, got together at such cost of labour and expense, the fact remains that an opportunity will present itself of obtaining some of the best thoroughbred stock to be found in Australasia. Amongst the twenty-two yearlings to be submitted are several by the Bill of Portland horse Finland, while such stallions as Pilgrim’s Progress, Seaton Delaval, and San Francisco have representatives. Some of the youngsters are closely related to such good ones as Gladsome, Nonette, Porirua and Kamo.

There are in all thirty brood mares to come under - the hammer, and the majority of these have foals at foot. Among them are such well-bred animals as La Gloria and St. Loire, both half-sisters to Nonette; Gladisla, a full sister to the peerless Gladsome; Portia; Sans Peur, a half-sister to Cruciform; Sybil, the dam of Miss Gladys; Waitemata, Melusina, Firefly, Pounamu, Countess of Kolmar, Certificate, and other equally blueblooded dames. There is certainly no lack of variety in the racing strains of these.

Then there are the stallions, and three finer specimens it would be difficult to get together. First there is Pilgrim’s Progress, by Isonomy, from the Two and One Thousand Guineas winner Pilgrimage. There can be no gainsaying the fact that he is one of the finest stallions ever imported into this colony, for is he not the sire of such good horses as Abundance, Lieutenant Bill, Diffidence, Vanity Fair, Sojourner. Palmer, Progredior. and Hainault? There is likely to be some very smart competition for the son of Isonomy when he is led into the salering. Next there is the Wellington Park bred Formosan, by St. Leger from Forme. This full-brother to Cruciform w’as a very smart performer on the turf, and being closely related to Multiform is certain to get good stock. The last of the trio of stallions is Finland, by Bill of Portland, a son of St. Simon, from Fishwife. He was a good horse on the turf, winning the Maribyrnong Plate, Sires’ Produce Stakes, St. Leger, Goodwood Handicap, and as on breeding it would be difficult to excel him, he should realise a big figure. It is not improbable that an effort will be made to secure one of the stallions for Auckland.