THE OLD CHAMPION.

Shannon News, 4 May 1926, Page 2

THE OLD CHAMPION.

GLOAMING MAY RETIRE. TRAINER PESSIMISTIC. ' Unless the joint that lias been troubling him considerably for the past two' seasons makes remarkable improvement, Gloaming wil not sport isilk again. Thus it wouhl seem that ho great horse has gone into probable retirement more unassumingly than Mr. G. D. Greenwood's mighty horse. After spending many leisure hours- at Rieearton he left this week for rich pastures at- his owner’s station.

It is not a hit too much to- state that Gloaming lias been a household word throughout Australasia. Which esteem lie has earned hy his marvellous achievements. In conversation with his trainer, R. -1. Mason, he informed us (says a writer in the Christchurch “Sun,") that he would be surprised if Gloaming ever raced again. Gloaming’s performances on the turf, both in -New Zealand and Australia, have made history that will stand’ unequalled for iiiumv years, and are such that his owner, Mr.G. D. Greenwood, has every reason to be excused if be gathers red apples for his -old favourite till the end of his days. A GREAT START. Gloaming did not race as a two-year old, but the following year he annexed 16 races, the total stake earnings amounting to £12,J76. Among his successes during that season was the Australian Jockey Club’s Derby. It may not be generally known', but It was about this period of his career that Gloaming was sold to an Australian buyer; the price, it was stated, was £SOOO. He failed to pass the veterinary test, and the sale was annulled. That he survived many preparations after that, is another glorious demonstration of the luck -of the game and a testimonial to the ingenuity of his trainer.

Reverting to his doings, the old champion has a unique record, as during-his six yeans of racing he lias never contested a handicap event. During his career he made no fewer than sixteen trips between New Zealand and Australia. In his sixth and seventh terms on the tracks he was threatened with compulsory retirement owing to leg troubles, but his astute trainer, R. L Mason, worked with untiring energy and skill, and succeeded in keeping the great son of the Welkin on deck till he attained his ninth birthday. PHENOMENAL TIMES. Gloaming has won over all distances trom four furlongs up lo one mile and a-half. His fastest times are. as follow: Four furlongs, 45secs. Five furlong's, 58 3-ssecs. Six i'u-rlongs, Imin. 10 2-ssecs. Seven furlongs, lmin. 25 2-ssecs. One mile, Imhi. 37 l-ssees. Nine furlongs, lmin. 52secs. One mile and a-quarter, 2min, 4secs.

One mile and a-half, 2min. 32 2-ssecs. He has won 57 races, and has been second' on nine occasions, while he was once unplaced, and that 'was when he fell at the harrier at the start of the North Island Challenge Stakes. His stake 'winnings total £43,100. 'rids record has been attacked at various times by Australian champions, but despite the game efforts of Eurythinic, Beauford and David, Mr Greenwood’s oh amp ion sti 11 ret a ins the distinction of being the biggest stake winner. . ’The'old fellow wa> a public idol, and nothing would please In's host of admirers more than to know that their old favourite is enjoying himself among surroundings thai ( mv the mosl congenial nature can give him, and that he is as happy and as frivolous as if he had never done a day’s work in his life.