DRAMA OF STOLEN HORSE.

Shannon News, 4 January 1924, Page 3

DRAMA OF STOLEN HORSE.

THIEVES .WIN A FORTUNE.

SYiUNEY, December 20

! like a [Chapter m:om one or Nat | Gould'a famous books is the istqry of (how the VVoorak colt, Kiel Owi, was , stolen from his paddock," and, under a false name, scooped the pool at a country race meeting. Tiie story comes to light through a decision by the A.J.C. yesterday that neither Mr R. W> Mackinnodi, the owner of Kel Owi, nor the. horse -are to be penalised because of tins remarkable escapade. Kef Owi was formerly; raced by Sir Samuel Hordenr, a member: of tno a.J.C. committee. He purchased hinr as u yearling for- 810gns, ■ but uiougliraced lor a few 'years,, ne proven a disappointment, fie was v.ery labo over a short distance, could not quite stay six furlongs. A little more than a year ago Sir Samuel Hardern sold nun, to Mr R. \y. Mackiuuon for 530gus. Mr Mac-.) kiiinon hoped to have better luck, hut he found that he had to spelt the horse, 'and turned him, quit in a pad- < dock at ..Adelong, in the souithoi the] State. '!

Here the horse was (resting in luxury when "the villain" entered. It is not hard to imagine scheming minus at work resulting in the 'theft of the racehorse. ■ ~

Kef Owi was taken away to another district and 'given a iew surreptitious gallops. He did not require much to lit ,him for a country I'ace meeting, and he was entered at a certain town under another name..

Tiie first event in which he appeared would have 'beien an easy victory, but the schemers wanted something better. He was not a trier, in tlua,t race, for he showed nothing of his unusual speed. Later in the day he was saddled up for another race, and this time there was no mistake. Rough and a bit heavy as he looked, he. fed all tiie way and won 'pulling up. He had been backed m every quarter, and alter Uhe "owner" collected the town saw him no more.

But among the crowd that day was 'someone who suspected that-some-tiding was amiss. He had a dim recollection of having seen that racehorse before. So he cominunioated. with tide athorities, and the strange: chestnut was proved $0 be Kel Owi, although by this timei the horse was back iii his paddock. Mr Mackiimon placed (all the facts before the A.J.C cofloinuttee, and when the matter was considered yesterday the committee ibad no hesitation in clearing him of any blame.