A GREAT HORSE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32303, 23 August 1943, Page 7

A GREAT HORSE

DEATH OF ERINATION FALL IN G.N. STEEPLES The fall of Erination when holding a commanding lead about live furlongs from home in the Grand National Steeplechase caused a wave of disappointment amongst , the big crowd at Riccarton, and when it was learned later that he had broken his back and had to he destroyed, there was a general feeling of regret, at the unfortunate ending to an outstanding career. Erination had competed over all of the stiffest steeplechase courses in New Zealand, and it was only on rare occasions that he made any mistake in his jumping, his fatal fall being the first since being acquired by Mr A. Syme in 1940. Erination, who was in his 14th year, was not raced until he was six years old, and he opened his account by winning three hurdle races in the Auckland district. Since then he had competed in all of the big hurdle races and steeplechases between Ellerslie and Riverton, and his victories included the Great Northern Hurdles, Wellington Steeplechase, Lincoln Steeplechase, and Riverton Steeplechase, while he

acted as a minor place-getter under big weights in several other races. On the occasion of winning the Lincoln Steeplechase he had, three races previously, run fourth in the Sydenham Hurdles. In all, Erination contested the Great Northern Hurdles four times for a win and a third; Great Northern Steeplechase once; Grand National Steeplechase five times, for a second and a fourth; Grand National Hurdles four times, and the Wellington Steeplechase twice, for a win. Altogether he had 104 starts for 14 wins and 24 minor placings for more than £6OOO in stakes. It was the intention of Mr Syme to retire Erination at the end of the last jumping season, but the veteran indicated by his second placing in the Lincoln Steeplechase that he was far from being at the end of his tether, and. Mr Syme, rather than turn the horse out, kept him in light exercise in a good home during the off season. His jumping in his last race up to the time of the mishap, which was caused by getting in too close to the second sod wall, probably through slipping* had been faultless, and even if he had completed the course without winning, he was assured of a great reception. Erination was to have been definitely retired after the meeting.

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