OTAHUHU’S PRESIDENT VISITS BIG STUD FARM

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 387, 22 June 1928, Page 6

OTAHUHU’S PRESIDENT VISITS BIG STUD FARM

The president of the Otahuhu Trotting Club, Mr. H. R. Mackenzie, who is at present in England, passed through the United States en route, and in a letter to Mr. Burnett, superintendent and secretary of the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr. Mackenzie records his impressions of a big stud farm he visited: “To-day (May 13) we went out to inspect the stud of Mr. John Hearst, reputed to be worth £ 10,000,000. Seven hundred and fifty acres in extent, a very -fine place . with buildings covering acres of ground; also an exercise yard for racehorses and yearlings. “Another stable is kept for polo ponies, and there are three playing fields on the property; also hunters are bred, and also high-class poultry. “A big swimming pool that must have cost thousands to build; the creeks are fully stocked with trout and everything is the last thing in luxury. Mr. Hearst owns at present the favourite for the Derby, and also the Oaks favourite. “The stallion is Luke M. Luke, a big plain horse in ordinary condition; they do not use it much, as they send their mares to the best in the land. Most of the mares are English or French bred, price being no object. This place is about 40 miles from Chicago, concrete roads all the way.”