HIGH-PRICED YEARLINGS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 964, 27 August 1908, Page 5

HIGH-PRICED YEARLINGS.

In a very interesting article on the above subject, the “Sydney Referee” says that there is a certain fascination in yearling buying, and many men who would scarcely be tempted to give a thousand for a proved racehorse possessing an almost certain chance of returning some of their outlay, will pay a high price for a youngster principally on account of its being a brother or sister to some successful performer, whose deeds happen to be fresh in the minds of racing men. Of course, with the rich two and three-year-old stakes to be won, the possibilities are much greater than where an older horse is concerned; but, it is almost unnecessary to add, there is also an even greater risk of never getting a return of a shilling of the purchase-money. The two-year-olds Perle d’Or, Nautiform, and Formeden realised very high prices at Yaldhurst, and though, for the sake of their buyers, it is to be hoped they will prove worth all that was paid for them, one cannot help calling to mind the number of costly youngsters who have been disappointments in Australia during the past few years. Only running the Randwick sales back five years, it is astonishing what a proportion of failures the highpriced youngsters sold during that period have included. Koopan, who headed the list at 800 gs. in 1903, did turn out well, but the Haut Brion— Novelette 11. colt Haut Nove, for whom Mr W. Bailey gave 750 gs. the same year, only won a £lO race for that gentleman, and is now performing over the jumps in West Australia. The following year Charles Stuart headed the list at HOOgs., but though he was a great performer as a two-year-old, he proved a tremendous disappointment subsequently. Before he raced as a three-year-old I have no doubt he could have found a buyer at £SOOO, but he did not win a race at that age, and only one afetrwards, changing hands for stud purposes last year at 210 gs. Still, as he won some good races at two years, he could not be considered altogether a failure. Blaaven (Haut Brion—Barley), bought at the same time for 650g5., was a costly purchase, as he did not win a race for “Mr McLeod,” who sold him last year for 27%g5. Lord Grafton (Grafton —Lady Trenton), 600g5., was another of that season’s bad bargains, while Jargoon (500g5.), only won one race for Dr. Frazer before he parted with him. Kaffirpan (600g5.), too, only scored once on behalf of Mr A. Wynne. The lucky purchases of the 1905 sales were: Poseidon, 500g5.; Collarit, 145 gs; Ebullition, 300 gs; and Melodrama, 400 gs. lolaire has shown there was reason in giving 1420g5. for him; but Orel, 500g5., only won one small race for his purchaser, and Arcturus, 1250g5., did not do even that for Mr Williamson, who got rid of the son of Wallace last year. Taunton (Haut Brion —Meridian), 950g5., is another of the 1905 lot who has not yet got to the front; while Cashmore (Amberite —Krangi), 390 gs. is now racing over hurdles. Sudbury (Grafton — Lady Trenton), 1750g5., died without a win to his credit, only starting in three races altogether. In 1906 the highest price paid was 2000 gs. for Lady Joan, who has only won a couple of small races up to the present, while, though the 1600 gs. Master Foote did pull off the Caulfield Guineas, he was re-sold in March last for 310 gs. Scobie (Haut Brion—Trieste), 910g5., has run well on a. few occasions, though without winning. Black Mark (Grafton —Disgrace), 850 gs., has only one win to show for two season’s racing. Achilles’ brother, Achillean, 525g5„ is still a maiden, and at 500 gs. Nuci-

fera did not prove a profitable purchase. Odin (Orzil— Betsy), 501g5., ~ is now racing unsuccessfully in events of the Park Stakes ; Order up Newcastle way, Peru, 280g5., and Currandooley,; 35g5., were that year’s prizes. ■However, it is perhaps too early to condemn any of those sold in 1906, as 'they are now only four-year-olds, and : there is time yet for some of them to 'make names for themselves. It is the same with those disposed of in 1907, it is worthy of mention that iu five starts during the season just Kilbridd (iflOOgs.) did nothing towards recouping his owner. Noonday (Hautboy—Meridian), 72.5g5., had three resultless runs, and Adriatic (700g5.) was seen out eight times w'thoit winning. Lovelock (410g5.) scored a few places, but did not win, c--? tho-nrh Wai-fa (820g5.) won a race at Flemington he was beaten on three other occasions when greatly fancied by the stable. Poseidon’s brother, Orcus (3050g5.) has yet to get a place.