RACEHORSES OF THE PAST.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 188, 4 July 1916, Page 1

RACEHORSES OF THE PAST.

Brilliant " Record Reign."

Bred at Pukekohe.

In view of the dual win recorded at the recent Great Morthern meeting at Ellerslie by El Gallo, together with his similar double success a year ago, sporting writers in classing El Gallo as the present champion jumper of the New Zealand turf are recalling memories of brilliant horses of by-gone days, and among these "Record Reign" stands out pre-eminent. This horse, it will be remembered, was a Pukekohe product for he was bred in 1694 by the late Mr James Roulston at his Belmont farm and raced under his colours until in 1900 he was sold at COOgns to Mr Dan McLeod, of Auckland, who was at that time one of the biggest bookmakers in New Zealand.

By Castor Winnie, Record Eeign, it is interesting to note, never ran over steeplechase fences in New Zealand. His efforts for the late Mr Koulston were limited to flat races and he had a wonderful sequence of successes at Ellerslie and Avondale. He started his racing career as a three-year-old and two years later he followed up earlier victories by bagging the three principal races at the Auckland Club's Spring Meeting, viz., the City Handicap, Prince of Wales' Handicap and the Ascot Handicap. As a six-year-old he put up one of his best performances by running under the crushing load of 12st 9lbs the speedy Eosella, to whom he was conceding 2st 3lbs, to a head for first honours in the Welter Handicap at the Auckland Winter Meeting. It was subsequent to this race that he was purchased by Mr McLeod for the special object of winning the New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Bace at Christchurch. Before he was raced over hurdles at all, and indeed before he was schooled, he was allotted ]2st 71 ba for the Grand National. Prior tj the big race he won the Maiden burdle Kace with 12st 12lbs, and with a slb penalty be carried ll!st 12Ibs in the Grand National and won in the record time of ;jmin. 46 3-&tb sees, for the two miles. A sporting authority summed up his performance thus: "It was unquestionably a great performance of Keeord Keigo, tor hj; practically made mincemeat of bis field, and few question bis right to be considered the greatest horse over hurdles that ever raced in New Zealand."

His next outing was in Australia tbe following year when carrying liJat 121bs he ran fourth ia the Grand National Hurdle Kace at Flemington, the "Sydney Mail," in describing tbe race, saying: "Though unsuccessful the honours ot the race rested with tbe New Zealand champion Kecord Keign, who carried his great burden in a manner that fully upheld tbe reputation which be gained on bis native soil." Shortly afterwards Kecord lieign was bought for BUO guineas on behalf of the Maharajah of Patiala and was shipped to India, wbeie he gained further successes. Uib royal Indian owner subsequently took Kecord lieiun to France, and further wins were scored, but whilst taking part in tbe Anteuil Steeplechase tbe great hors# fell and injuring his back had to be destroyed. A French writer summed him up thua: "Kecord Reign captivated the hearts of all sportsmen and was tbe idol ot French racegoers." Competent authorities estimated Kecord Reign's value just ptior to his death at £BOOO.