FOR £ 10,000

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 112, 2 August 1927, Page 6

FOR £ 10,000

COMMENDATION OFFERED No less a value than £IO,OOO has been placed on Commendation. A rumour was circulated in Melbourne a fortnight ago that the .gelding when he arrived in Australia was likely to run in the colours of a Sydney leviathan, says a Sydney writer. Inquiry elicited the fact that a few weeks ago Mr. James Hackett, leader of the Sydney ring, received from an agent in New Zealand a cable stating, “Can offer you Commendation for £10,000.” “He’s a great horse, no doubt,” was Mr. ITackett’s comment, “but I am not prepared to pay for him almost as though I were buying gold by the ounce.” The offer was turned down with thanks. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED Another Sydney owner, who is also a breeder, has been urged for months by a New Zealand turf authority to buy Commendation, but he did not fancy the price which was mentioned at the time. There might have been a different tale to tell if Commendation had been a stallion. Early this season the Messrs. Brien would not listen to an offer of £IO,OOO for Rainpion, which represents nearly high-water mark in Australia for a young racehorse, being exceeded only by the 16,000gns. which Mr. C. B. Kollo w gave at auction for Heroic. If Mr. Hackett had given £IO,OOO for Commendation it would have been the highest price paid for a gelding in Australia and New Zealand, and probably in any part of the world. More than once, however, Mr. Greenwood could have got that amount for Gloaming. When Sir Samuel Hordern bought Pilliewinkie, another gelding, two years ago, he secured him for 2,500gn5. and a contingency. Although he was' then in his sixth year, Pilliewinkie won in stakes for Sir Samuel no less than £10,955, which shows what is possible to a high-class racehorse in Australia in these days of fat stakes.