DEATH OF GOLD ROD

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24899, 12 June 1946, Page 4

DEATH OF GOLD ROD

BRILLIANT PERFORMER IN AUSTRALIA (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 11. The death occurred of the stallion, Gold Rod, during the voyage from Sydney to Wellington. Gold Rod was bought at auction at the Sydney Easter sales by Mr W. H. Russell, of Hawera. It was intended that he should replace Solicitor General, which was sold recently to an Australian breeder. Solicitor General arrived at Trentham to-day to await shipment. Gold Rod was bred in Hawke’i Bay by Mr T. H. Lowry, and was. by Chief Ruler from Oreum, by King John from the famous mare, Desert Gold. He was sold to Mr E. J. Watt, of Sydney, as a yearling for 300 guineas, and at that price proved a rare bargain. He was a brilliant racehorse and won 16 races over all distances, and £18,920 in stakes. Although he won the A.J.C. St. Leger, he was not a true stayer, but that did not reflect on his merit as a racehorse. He was a high-class, two-year-old, winning both the V.R.C. and A.J.C. Sires’ Produce Stakes, while his later successes included the Epsom and Doncaster Handicaps. He was credited with brilliant performances in both races. He retired to the stud in 1942 and has already been represented bywinners in Australia. In view of the success at the stud in New Zealand of Royal Chief, another son of Chief Ruler, Gold Rod’s loss is unfortunate.