A NEW SIRE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 95, 16 January 1935, Page 13

A NEW SIRE

Son of Phalaris COMING TO DOMINION Mr. A. S. Higgs, the Canterbury stulmaster, who imported the young Son-In-Law stallion Philamor, has again been fortunate in securing in England an exceptionally well-bred and well-performed young horse, in Myosotis, by Phalaris from Scarlet Martagon, the half-sister to the famous Australian sire, Valais, who headed the list of Australia’s sires on no fewer than five occasions. That Mr. Higgs is most fortunate in securing such a royally-bred young horse as Myosotis is indicated by the immediate success at the stud in England of his full-brother, I’lantago, who in his first season has sired one of the most promising two-year-olds in Sevrier. The Two-year-old Free Handicap just issued indicates how highly regarded is this soli of Plantago, and it is interesting to note that his fame does not rest, entirely on the form of one winner. Plantago was a very high-class winner, accounting for such races as the Waterford Stakes at Ascot, St. George Stakes at Liverpool, the Liverpool Autumn Cup, and the Corenation Cup, in which he defeated those high-class performers, Palais Royal II and Athford. He won over distances extending to one mile and a half, and before being retired to the stud at King Edward’s Place, amassed stakes amounting to 9217 sovs. Myosotis, who is now on his way to New Zealand, proved to be a better stayer than his brother, Plantago, who had n full book in England last season at a fee o'f 98 guineas, for he won both the Derby Trial Stakes, one mile and a half, as a three-year-old, beating such good horses as Statesman (third in the St. Legerl. Gino (third in the 2000 Guineas). Thrap- ' ston. Sans Peine, etc., and the Norman Court Stakes, one mile six furlongs, in runaway fashion, by four lengths, and finished fourth to Hyperion in the Chester Vase, beating Coroada. The Abbot, Montrose, all high-class winners. Ever since Valais commenced his nilconquering record as a sire. Australian breeders have been looking for another prospective champion sire from the No. 8 family. There is no reason why his close relative, Myosotis, should not make an equally great name. Through Phalaris he should be able to impart high quality and speed to his progeny, and there is no question of his staying power, which is supported on his dam’s side by the very soundest of blood. This is a family that is maintaining its reputation as witness the deeds of both Plantago and Myosotis. Scarlet Martagon is also the dam of Ixia, winner of the Irish Oaks, etc., and other, good winners, while her full sister produced the one mile and three-quarters Jockey Club Stakes winner. Tatra, and the dual winners, Maid of Perth and High Art, of the Aseot Gold Vase, two miles. It is a family of extraordinary merit. Scarlet Martagon, the dam ot Myosotis, is by Torpoint from Lily of the Valley, who won the Rous Memorial Stakes, etc., and is the dam of that highclass stallion, Rocksavage, and the granddam of Queensland's leading sire, Highfleld. Lily of the Valley, who was the dam of six winners herself, was by famous Martian’s sire, Martagon. from Hamptonia. a good winner herself, and the dam of good winners of Such races as the Newmarket Craven Plate. Newmarket Great Eoal Stakes. Ascot Biennial Stakes, and was a half-sister to the dam of Ayrshire, winner of the Two Thousand Guineas, the Derby and £35.916 in stakes, and a leading sire in England. This branch of the family also produced that remarkable sire, Linacre, and another Derby and the St. Leger winner, Melton. Hampton, who sired Ayrshire from this family, also appears in the pedigree, as Hamptonia. the dam of Lily of the Valley, is by that noted sire of English Derby winners. With such a proyen cross of blood in his pedigree, combined with the fact that Phalaris’s sons; Colorado, Manna, Pharos. Fairway and Sickle at the stud In England are meeting with great success. Myosotis lias every stud recommendation. Plantago’s yearlings at the recent Doncaster’s sales made four-figure prices. Myosotis himself is an excellent type of stallion showing much quality. He is a beautiful dark bay standing sixteen and a half hands, with well over eight inches of bone, and has almost a perfect hind leg. Myosotis will arrive in New Zealand early next month, and will thus have ample time to become acclimatised before going to the stud. Myosotis is being imported to New Zealand through the agency of Messrs. Wright, Stephenson, and Co. Ltd. LEADING JOCKEYS A Keen Contest L. J. Ellis and W. J. Broughton are having a keen fight for the jockeys’ premiership. Ellis was the winner last season. with Voitre second and Broughton third. . Twice during the holiday campaign, Broughton was within two of Ellis, but Ihe latter is now four wins in front. A. Messervy has moved into fifth place. S. Anderson. H. Mackinnon. L. Dulieu and G. Cameron are riders who have substantially improved their position on the list in the last few weeks. Jockeys who have ridden eleton or more winners since August 1 are: — L. J. Ellis 44 W. J. Broughton 40 K. Voitre 25 P. Atkins 22 A. Messervy 19 S. Anderson 17 B. IT. Morris 16 A. E. Ellis 15 H. Wiggins 15 R. Marsh 13 E. A. Leekie 1,3 A. E. Didham ' 13 8. Tremain 13 L. Dulieu 13 1 11. Mackinnon .... 11 L. G. Morris 11