SIRES OF THE SEASON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 852, 5 July 1906, Page 8

SIRES OF THE SEASON.

SEATON DELAVAL.

Among the first of the sires whose services are advertised this season appears the name of Seaton Delaval, who is beyond question one of the finest and most successful stallions ever brought to this colony. He was bred in 1889, and was got by the English Derby and St. Leger winner Melton out of Rosedale, by Rotherhill out of Moss Rose, by King Tom out of Couleur de Rose, by the great West Australian, who carried off both the blue and red ribbons of the English turf. Seaton Delaval’s sire Melton was one of the most famous horses of his day. Sold to the Italian Government for £lO,OOO he was so highly esteemed by English breeders that he was brought back to England, where his stock proved wonderfully successful. Rotherhill, the sire of Rosedale, was got by the St. Leger winner Lord Clifden out of Laura, the dam of the great Petrarch, who won the Two Thousand Guineas and St. Leger. This latter race seems indeed to have been a specialty for the family, as Lord Clifden’s sire Newminster also won it, as did Melton’s great grandsire Stockwell. From the above it is not difficult to see that some of the finest running blood in the world is to be found in Seaton Delaval, and it is not difficult to understand why he has got some great gallopers. Seaton Delaval was himself a performer of more than ordinary note, as will be seen when it is mentioned that his victories included the Great Northern Handicap of 500sovs one mile and three-quar-ters; and the Great Northumberland Plate of lOOOsovs, two miles. He was only beaten a head in the Great Metropolitan Stakes at Epsom, run over two and a-quarter miles, and as in these races many good winners finished behind him, it seems evident that Seaton Delaval could both gallop and stay. That he can transmit his good qualities to his descendants he has proved up to the hilt, for his stock have already won some £50,000 in stakes, which places him at the head of living sires to-day as far as the colonies are concerned. Such a beautifully-bred stallion, especially one sound in wind and limb as he is, was certain to get gallopers, and some of his progeny have given ample evidence of the truth of this. No finer mare ever left Auckland than Gladsome, who has won over all distances and against all the champions of the Commonwealth. Such a great mare should alone be able to sustain her sire’s reputation, but Seaton Delaval has begot many other winners. For instance, we have seen few finer horses than Nonette, surely one of the gamest animals that ever looked out of a bridle, and a winner over all distances. Then there was that good mare Rosella, a beautifullymade animal and a racehorse every inch of her. Miss Delaval, the winner of the Great Northern Derby and Canterbury Oaks, among other races, was another clipper, and a stayer at that. Then there was Blue Paul, one of the best ponies we have ever seen in Auckland, which is indeed saying much. The list of Seaton Delaval’s winning stock could indeed be extended almost ad infinitum, but enough has been written to show that the son of Melton has proved a great stud success. As will be seen in another column, he will stand this season at twenty guineas, an exceedingly moderate fee for such a well-tried horse. It is an offer which we think owners of suitably-bred mares will not be slow to take advantage of.