DARK RED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 September 1938, Page 11

DARK RED

INTERESTING RACING HISTORY.

(By

“The Administrator”)

An interesting advertisement is that notifying the fact that the thoroughbred horse “Dark Red” will be available to breeders this season. Dark Red who was bred by that well known sportsman, Mr Fred Dorset, of Te Whiti is a horse of beautiful disposition, besides being a magnificent animal. Apart from these excellent credentials, Dark Red is “bred in the purple,” and descends from families on both sides of his lineage, which have made New Zealand famous as a breeding centre. Dark Red’s sire, Greyspear, was a good performer, and was by Spearmint, who was Carbine’s best son in England, who included among his successes victories in the Derby at Epsom, and immediately afterwards the “Grand Prix” in France. This double is often attempted by English racehorses, and just as frequently the effort is doomed to failure. Carbine was, of course, bred in Auckland, and was by the mighty Musket—an early importation from England. Many to this day still hold that Carbine is the most famous racehorse ever bred, and “exported” from New Zealand. On the maternal side, Dark Red is from that splendid mare, Red Ribbon, also bred by Mr Dorset and enthusiasts will recall the many fine races she ran in his colours and her successes took place on almost all the Metropolitan courses in the Dominion, besides those recorded in the Wairarapa. Red Ribbon was by the late Mr W. E. Bidwill’s favourite, Elevation, the winner of the New Zealand Derby, at Riccarton, the Canterbury Cup, and Challenge Stakes, besides successes in the Feilding and Palmerston North Stakes, and several handicaps. Elevation was by the imported San Francisco (by St Simon) from Stepheldt by Nordenfelt (by Musket) and here it is that the “double up,” of the renowned Musket blood becomes apparent. Red Ribbons dam, Blue Ribbon, was also a good winner, including a Wellington Cup. San Francisco, besides Elevation, sired a number of illustrious performers, including Downfall (N.Z. Cup), Los Angeles (Great Autumn Handicap), Crucinella (Wellington Cup), First Flight, Flying Start, etc. Elevation, with limited opportunities, was the sire of Montana, a good winner, Client, a great stayer, who captured two Wanganui Cups, besides other good races. The late Mr Bidwill held the opinion that Elevation’s' name would live on through his mares, and if “Dark Red” is a sample of the stock that Elevation mares can be expected to produce, there is no doubt the prediction will be realised. Consultation, another Elevation mare, left Landmark, a wonderfully successful hurdler, and Elevonia was the dam of Last Crust, a very smart sprinter some years back. Elevonia was also the dam of Constantia, the mother of Gay Artist, winner of several races last season, and is nominated for this year’s New Zealand Cup.