ABSURD’S HOME

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 55, 27 May 1927, Page 12

ABSURD’S HOME

VISIT TO KOATANUi LIMOND AND THESPIAN . MANY PROMISING YOUNGSTERS Racing is a many-sided business, but one aspect that provides real pleasure for the lover of horseflesh is that of breeding and the study of the thoroughbred in the nursery. Time was when Koatanui Stud, eighteen miles from Wanganui, was only a name little known in New Zealand, and quite unknown in Australia. First, Absurd and now Limond have changed all this, and Koatanui is recognised as one of the spots where some of the fastest horses of Australia and New Zealand of the past decade have been produced. On the day between the Wanganui race days (writer “Vedette”) an invitation from Mr. G. M. Currie, owner of Koatanui, to renew acquaintance with Absurd, Limond, Thespian, and company, was eagerly accepted, the visit providing a welcome relief after the business of racing. Although on arrival the younger members of the family were first of all inspected, it may be as well to commence with the corner-stone of the stud, Absurd. The Sundridge horse, although he has many detractors, is a fine specimen, essentially masculine and of dominant personality. STILL GOING STRONG

As quiet as a station hack he regarded his visitors with but mild interest. Really he carries his 18 years well, and looks if anything in better fettle than he was two years ago, when last seen. Certainly he is leaving his mark on the Koatanui Stud, for progeny of Absurd mares by Limond carry almost without exception the Absurd markings and characteristics. This is particularly in evidence in the chestnut colt foal by Limond from Homage, by Absurd from Eulogy. Absurd in the future will have his activities restricted to a few approved mares. With his powers conserved he looks good for several seasons yet.

Limond, sire of Limerick and Commendation, is a totally different type, and it is seen that he will have as great an influence at Koatanui as Absard. He has grown and furnished into a magnificent stallion, and at 13 years is right in his prime. Anyone having seen Commendation could not fail to recognise Limond, the likeness is most marked.

Limond is not a big horse, but he is all quality; every inch a gentleman.

THE MAGIC “IMP.” Thespian, as colonial-bred, is under the unnatural handicap of fashion. He is no disgrace to the Dominion, the land of his birth, and if he had the magical “imported” attached to his name few would argue, for he would compare more than favourably with some English sires. He is receiving every chance at‘Koatanui, for Eulogy, one of the greatest brood mares of the Dominion, was bred to him, and at present the result of the union, a colt foal, looks anything but a disgrace to the line.

Mr. Currie will race this colt himself, and if all goes well during the next twelve months he will be placed in Walter Hayner’s charge to be prepared for the two-year-old races of the following season. Thespian’s great quarters and wonderful propelling

powers are in evidence on all his progeny to date. One cannot help but recall his mile record at Ellerslie, when he defeated Gloaming, The Hawk and company. In all there are twelve yearlings at Koatanui at present, ten of which are destined for sale. In addition to the Thespian—Eulogy colt Mr. Currie is keeping for himself a fine colt by Absurd from Pennon, brother to Lysander and half-brother to Damaris. He certainly looks the goods. NICE YOUNGSTERS

Of the others one to take the eye was a magnificent chestnut colt by Limond from Homage. This chap, although not yet twelve months old, looks big enough to be ridden, and is a massive juvenile. If he does not bring a big price when put up for auction it will be very surprising. The Limond— Waterwings filly, sister to Agrion, will not be as big as her relative, but she shows plenty of quality, and should be keenly sought after. Bronze has a neat colt by Thespian, and the Absurd—Rose Queen filly reminds one of her brother, The Thorn. Amongst the juveniles is one stranger in the Eng-lish-bred gelding by Junior from Pomyris. He was foaled in March of last year in New Zealand, and thus is at a decided disadvantage for racing. He is a well-bred youngster, for his dam, a Pommern mare, is brimful of the best English blood, while his sire was a good stayer in the Old Country. WONDERFUL EULOGY Rambling down to the paddocks which if not knee-deep in grass, were at least half that depth, we came upon probably as valuable a collection of six brood mares as could be possibly got together in Australia and New Zealand. First, there was Eulogy, who carries her years well, in foal to Limond. Eulogy’s three daughters, Homage, Pennon, and Motley, were next looked over. Motley has furnished into the ideal matron, and should contribute well to the Stud Book. Her first foal will be to Limond, Pennon is in foal to Thespian, and Homage to Limond. Drax, one of the most recent importations, a good quality Spearmint mare, is in foal to Absurd, and her compatriot, Pomyris, by Pommern, is in foal to the same horse. In the distance could be seen the remaining mares of the estate, but a sudden squall sent us to shelter, and they were left to their devices. The admirable position of Koatanui with its clear atmosphere and limestone pastures make it'an ideal breeding ground for horses. It is little wonder that this, combined with Mr. Currie’s close study of his establishment, and the able assistance of J. Lowe, his stud groom, has brought such satisfactory results. HORSES IN WORK

On the way back to Wanganui a short visit was made to Walter Rayner’s stables to inspect the horses in training. All are more or less in winter quarters, and are doing little but potter about. Mask, Lysander, Thaw, and Damaris all look to have done well, but the Absurd—CherryMart Covent Garden, has not grown as much as one could wish. Probably during the winter he will come on.

The .newcomers to the stable are both filles. A chestnut by Limond from Homage looks as if she will be a real speed merchant, while the bay by Thespian from Cowl is of most interest on account of her sire. She will be the first of the Thespians to race. This concluded a pleasant interlude between winning and losing, and other mundane affairs of life.

UP AGAINST IT

CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB TOO MUCH RACING IN CHRISTCHURCH Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. Reduction of programmes to seven races a day and the cutting down of sakes for next season by £ 7,000 were among the radical proposals made by the chairman, Mr. George Gould, on behalf of the committee at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club to-day. The chairman also expressed his own personal view that the Jockey Club and Metropolitan Trotting Club should each agree to sacrifice one day In moving the adoption of the annua! in the November carnival, report, Mr. Gould said the club had had a fairly successful year, considering the times. The club had just about paid its way without provision for depreciation of buildings or reduction of debt. The stakes for the year had been £43,000, whteh was £13,000 more

than was required by the rules of racing. It had been the policy of the club to pay good stakes, believing the Government would not continue the heavy taxation on the sport, but this hope appeared to be vain. Mr. Gould expressed the opinion, that in the Christchurch circuit there were too many racing days, 31 per annum, whereas in Wellington and Dunedin there were only 14. The only solution he could offer would be that racing and trotting clubs should agree to reduce their programmes %o seven races a day. CONSOLATION MEETING Mr. Gould referred to the Auckland Racing Club choosing for the spring meeting the dates of the New Zealand Cup meeting. “We are told,” he said, “and I willingly believe it, that in claiming this date the Auckland Racing Club is not actuated by any desire to damage our N.ovember meeting, but that it is done at the instance of Auckland owners, who think their chances of winning stakes are improved when many of the best horses are away in the South.”

In further reference to taxation Mr. Gould said if taxation was continued at the present level it would spell disraster to the sport. Ministers, he said, understood the clubs’ position, but they simply pleaded necessity. The report was adopted. Mr. Gould was re-elected president.

Suggestions made at last year's annual meeting that the Riccarton racecourse be used both for racing and trotting was revived. Mr. Gould said the committee had given much consideration to the mater and was prepared to discuss the question with the trotting club, but there were serious physical difficulties to be faced.