RETIREMENT OF STEDFAST.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 4 June 1914, Page 11

RETIREMENT OF STEDFAST.

It is stated that it has been definitely decided to retire Stedfast to the stud at the conclusion of the forthcoming racing season. Foaled in 1908, Lord Derby’s horse is a son of Chaucer and Be Sure, by Surefoot, and a half-brother to Cocksure 11., whose sire was Count Schomberg. During his four seasons on the turf Stedfast has won many important races and at one period of his career

there was nothing in it between him and Prince Palatine, who may be said to have always been his greatest rival. After running second to Sunstar for the Two Thousand Guineas and Derby of his year, Stedfast was not beaten again that season. Eight races, including the Jockey Club Stakes, in which he defeated Lemberg, fell to his share and it was in the last of these, the Kingsclere Stakes, that he and Prince Palatine first met. The latter, giving 71b., was beaten by half a length, and again succumbed at level weights in the Coronation Cup of the following season. The “Prince” took his revenge in the Eclipse Stakes but it was a desperately near thing, the verdict being a short head. Soon after this Stedfast met with a mishap, and from this he had not quite recovered when he encountered his rival again in the Jockey Club Stakes, this being palpable from the fact of his being beaten, though in receipt of as much as 131 b. An attempt was made to win the Ascot Gold Cup with him last year, but here again Prince Palatine barred the way, winning by a fength and ahalf. Stedfast’s engagements this year again include the Gold Cup, while

he also figures as joint top-weight, with Long Set, in the Jubilee Stakes.

THE AUSTRALIAN STUD BOOK. I am indebted to the “Sydney Morning Herald” for the foilowing: —in the preface to vol. X. of the Australian Stud Book it was foreshadowed that in future only brood mares whose pedigrees trace to an accepted taproot, and whose sires’ pedigree has been approved by the Stud Book Committee, would be admitted to the A. 5.8., and the procedure to be adopted in that connection with the compilation of vol. XI. of that publication has recently been considered by the A.S.B. Committee. The chief item to be announced by the Keeper of the Stud Book is a resolution, “That the committee is of opinion that it is advisable, as far as practicable, and having regard to the local conditions that existed in the early days of Australia, to compile vol. XI. of the A.S.B. in accordance with the procedure outlined in the preface to vol. X., and gives the following instructions to the present Keeper:—Apart from and without prejudice to any question that may arise upon any other line of a pedigree, or as to identity, no mare will be admitted (1) whose sire’s pedigree be not approved by the Stud Book Committee, (2) and on whose behalf there has not been shown — (a) either descent in tail female from

a mare in the General (English) Stud Book; (b) or such descent from one of certain approved mares or taproots that have not been satisfactorily traced into the General (English) Stud 800k—a list of such tap-roots will shortly be made available; (c) or such meritorious performances by members of the family in classic or weight-for-age events, or in first-class company, as in the opinion of this committee make inclusion advisable.” The list to date of approved mares or tap-roots referred to in 2 (b) is as under. The name of a descendant is given in brackets in each case, so that no doubt may exist as to which mare of the name is intended line, by Kingston (Oakleigh); Belhari, by Indian Warrior (Scotland); Betty, by Hector (Highborn); Black Swan, by Yattendon (Lord Cardigan); Contessa, by Gemma di Vergy (Marvel Loch); Cutty Sark, imported (The Barb); Dinah, by Gratis (Newhaven); Empress, by Tamerlane (Realm, late Empire); Gipsy, by Rous’ Emigrant (Manton); Heris, by Gemma di Vergy (Famous); Lilia, by New Chum (Stromboli); Myrtle, by Gemma di Vergy (Marvel); Sappho,by Marquis (Merriwee); Steeltrap Mare, by Steeltrap (Antonins); Yatterina, by Yattendon (Matchlock); and English mare, by Bay Camerton (Atlas). It has been decided in all pedigrees to indicate the country of birth of importations from outside Australia, also, in the case of new brood mares, to insert the pedigree back to an imported mare or Australian tap-root without reference to an earlier volume; and, further, to add a separate index to new mares (where such mares were not themselves imported), under the imported mares or Australian tap-roots from which they respectively descend in tail female line.