TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 September 1939, Page 11

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE Breeding Bloodstock Is Not a “Gold Mine” FOUR CHAMPIONS SOLD FOR LESS THAN 1000 GUINEAS INDUSTRY IN WHICH MILLIONS OF MONEY HAS BEEN INVESTED (BY “CARBINE.”) “Breeding thoroughbred horses for the market is not the ‘gold mine’ that some people seem to imagine.” states an Australian writer. “The great majority of the yearlings sold annually in Australia average less than 100gns each. What margin for profit to the breeder is there in these cases? Substantial prices for a few of the ‘star lots’ of the stud will, of course, increase the average and compensate for the lower prices paid for the majority.

“The average cost of placing a yearling in the sale-ring in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane, would probably work out at £5O or £6O. There is the cost of feeding the foal and dam for nearly two years, freight, cost of feeding, and attendance in the cities before the sales, agents’ fees, etc. This average cost would be largely increased if the breeders had also to pay for the service of a stallion, as many of them do. In that case the cost of placing a yearling in the sale-ring would be over £lOO. Selling at 100 guineas or less would not leave much margin for profit on the production and disposal of the particular yearling concerned. “Of course, if one from the same draft realises 1000 guineas or thereabouts he makes up for six or seven poor or moderate sales. ’ “In Australia only one or two from even the leading studs can be expected to reach lOOOgns or more. The normal average of yearlings sold in all parts of Australia is well short of 200 gns. In N.S.W. and Victoria it' is substantially better than that, but when the cost of production, all told, is deducted the margin for profit is not large. “In a sale-ring things are not always what they seem. Homely looking, backward yearlings may improve out of recognition in the course of a few months, if given time and opportunity to develop. The finest looking,- best grown yearling does not necessarily prove to be the best racehorse. Not a few of the rather weedy looking, un-der-sized yearlings that made little or no appeal to buyers, become champions on the turf. However this may be, human nature being what it is, the classy looking, well grown, well conditioned yearlings will always cause the keenest competition. Buying remains a fascinating gamble, for the most alert, experienced, and astute trainers cannot pick a yearling and say, definitely, that he or she is sure to be a racehorse of value. So little was thought -of Pamelus in the sale-ring that he was • bought by a shrewd Queenslander for 25gns. “No one wanted the great little stayer. Lord Cardigan, as a yearling. He was small and rather weedy looking at 2vrs. He won the Melbourne Cup and the Sydney Cup in the same season and also won at w.f.a.

“It was understood that as a yearling Poitrel could have been bought for 250gns. He, too, won a Melbourne Cup and was one of the greatest of all stayers. Windbag was another deceptive youngster. Bought at 150gns for a New Zealand breeder who had not seen him, the new owner on coming to Australia, was so disappointed when he inspected the colt that he resold the undeveloped champion at a loss. “Four champions, Phar Lap, Gloamin, Defaulter and Eurythmic made an aggregate of less than lOOOgns. Phar Lap became the second greatest stakewinner in the world. Gloaming won over £43,000 and Eurythmic £36,000. Phar Lap won over £66,000. Defaulter was the best staying 3-year-old of last season in either New Zealand or Australia. Windbag won just on £36, ■ 000 in stakes. Poitrel won over £26,000. Mollison (bought for 600gns) won over £30,000. David (bought for 40gns) won £31,410. Carbine (bought as a yearling for 620gns) won £29,626—equivalent to over £60,000 with the doubled and trebled stakes of later years. Manfred (cost 1400gns) won £28,830. Heroic (cost 1800gns) won £38,062.

“The glorious uncertainty of cricket is nothing to the uncertainty of breeding, buying, or racing thoroughbred horses, but in spite of the percentage of' failures which are inseparable from this great game, men will go on paying the highest prices for the best looking,! best bred, best presented yearlings. It* cannot be expected that high prices will be paid for undersized, homely! looking yearlings on the gambler’s! chance that they may develop into first-class racehorses. We all remem-, ber the few “weeds” that miraculously, grow into equine money-spinners—-but we forget the large percentage of horses of that class (or lack of class) which prove dear at the modest prices paid for them. “Thoroughbred horse-breeding, it need hardly .be pointed out, is the foundation upon which rests the superscructure of Australia’s greatest national sport. It is an industry in which millions of money has been invested, and so those engaged in this industry are entitled to all possible encouragement by the State.”

SPORT OF KINGS OVERSEAS PERSONAL AND OTHERWISE. An English paper just to hand stated that Pasch, winner of the Two Thousand Guineas last year and the Eclpise Stakes, was to undergo an Xray examination. Although feeding well, Pasch had trouble in swallowing, and it was thought that some foreign body had lodged in his throat. The trouble was not considered serious. After winning three races worth £19,030 in stake money, Pasch was retired to the Banstead Manor Stud, Newmarket, at the end of last year’s fiat racing season. He is owned by Mr H. E. Morris. Windsor Lad, Mr Martin Benson’s £50,000 stallion, winner of the 1934 Derby, who has undergone two operations on his brain, was expected to leave Newmarket for a stud in Hertfordshire. It was hoped that the change of air would benefit him. After, a few weeks it might be possible to arrive at a decision as to his future.

Medmenham, the dam of Ajax, has foaled a filly to The Buzzard. The filly is Medmenham’s fourth living foal, and the second filly. Medmenham’s first foal, a filly by Backwood, for whom no name has been registered, came in 1931, four years after her importation to Australia by the late E. L. and Mr C. Baillieu. She missed in 1932, and in 1933 came a colt by Brazen, which raced as Humorist. Ajax was foaled in 1934, and Medmenham missed again in 1935. The next year she had a filly by Marconigram, registered as Beam, and recently purchased from the sale of the late Mr E. L. Bailleau’s horses in Melbourne by Mr A. W. Thompson for only 300gns., a very reasonable sum considering her youth and relationship to Ajax. The mare had no foal in 1937 or 1938. This season she will more than likely be mated with the Widden sire Brueghel, only son in New South Wales of Pharos, whose son, Pharis 11., is considered by some authorities to be the greatest colt in Europe this year, and who was expected to give the great colt Blue Peter a severe tussle for the St. Leger.

Mr C. E. Robertson, of the bloodstock department of Wright Stephenson, and Co., Ltd., who has been visiting studs and racecourses in England, Ireland, and on the Continent, is now on his way home, and is at present in Bombay. On the arrival of the ship on which he was travelling she was commandeered by the Admiralty, and passengers bound for Australia and New Zealand will have to await other transport. Mr Robertson purchased several thoroughbreds for New Zealand while away. Chatsworth, and Mr T. Coltman's colt by Papyrus arc already here. Other purchases were:— Five-year-old mare, Gala Night, by Prince Galahead—Mystic Star, for Milan Donald, Featherston; yearling colt, Happy Fellow, by Soldennis—Joan Thunder, for ,Mr W. H. Gaisford, Oringi; stallion, Revelation, by Manna —White Bud, for Mr F. W. Savage, Waimana, Bay of Plenty; mare, Caerlaverock, by Ellangowan —Mast, with colt at foot by April the Fifth, for Mr J. C. Fletcher, Auckland,

MARTON RACES ACCEPTANCES FOR SATURDAY. (By Telegrapn—Press Association.) WANGANUI, September 20. Acceptances for the Marton Jockey Club’s spring meeting on September 23, are:— 12.0— JUVENILE HANDICAP. Four

RECORD ECLIPSED ENGLAND'S CHAMPION RIDER. The champion British pockey, Gordon Richards, who has already ridden 100 winners this season, eclipsed a 50-year-old record six years ago. Fred Archer’s 246 winners in a season was a record that many thought would stand for all time. But Gordon Richards, in a magnificent season’s riding, rode more winners in a season than any jockey in the history of British turf. Richards is 33 years old. He was born at Oakengates, Salop, and early in his life began riding pit ponies. Apprenticed to Martin Hartigan, the wellknown Ji-ainer, he had his first mount in a race 19 years ago. By 1924 he had ridden 61 winners, and in the following year was the leading pockey, with 118 winners. In 1933 he rode 259 winners—l 3 more than Archer had ridden. Last year Richards again rode many more winners than any other jockey. RACING CLUBS NEW MEASURES OF CONTROL IN AUSTRALIA. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. SYDNEY, This Day. The delicensing of the of the Kensington, Ascot, Wyong and Richmond racecourses is recommended by the committee which was appointed by. the State Government to determine how the conduct and control of race meetings might be vested exclusively, in non-proprietary associations. RACING FIXTURES September 21, 23.—Geraldine Racing Club. September 23. —Marton Jockey Club. September 30.—Otaki-Maori Racing Club. September 30, October 2.—Ohine-' muri Jockey Club. October 5, 7.—Dunedin Jockey Club. October 5, 7.—Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club. October 7. —Bay of Plenty Racing Club. October 9—Rotorua and Bay of Plenty Hunt Club. October 12, 14.—Masterton Racing Club. October 14. —South Canterbury Jockey Club.

furlongs. El Minola .. 8 5 Sly Girl 8 0 Silver Shekel 8 5 Golden Hind .. 8 0 Enrich 8 5 Uvedale 8 0 Taitama .. . 8 5 Miss Wheriko 8 0 Barry Boy . 8 5 Lady Gustavo 8 0 Locrain .. .. 8 5 All Quiet 8 0 Nationalist . 8 5 Belle Cane ....80 Miss Halomet 8 3 Cherry Bay ..8 0 Black Robe 8 0 12.40— MAIDEN RACE. Six furlongs. Portal 8 7 Wings of Song 8 7 Authoress .. 8 7 Laundery 8 7 Trilitha .. .. 8 7 Gamepit 8 7 Anito Foe .. . 8 7 Race Away .... 8 7 Royal Talkie 8 7 Royal Show ..8 7 Colossal Chief 8 7 Vale Pere 8 7 Leighon Rei 8 7 La Coquette ..8 7 Cher Amie .. 8 7 Caution 8 7 Golden Hawk 8 7 Glen Donal .... 8 7 Royal Sign .. 8 7 Waimutu 8 7 1.20— HACK HURDLES. One mile and a half. Chat 11 0 First Chapter 9 2 Spender .. .. 10 6 Air Shot 9 0 Hunt'g Lore 9 13 Prinihia 9 0 l Sunbeam .. .. 9 6 Seyfried 9 0 Earl Colossus 9 6 Willen 9 0 Sir Nigel .. .. 9 2 2.0— TUTAENUI HACK HANDICAP. Six furlongs. Sudan c 1 Pretty Lass ..8 3 Shining Hours S 0 Barabbas .. ..7 9 Colincamps .. .. 8 8 Eurotas 7 7 Noble Fox .. .. 8 6 Gay Hunting.. 7 7 Ramleh .. 8 3 Daisy Chain .. 7 7 Le Toquet .. .. 8 3 2.45— HACK AND HUNTERS’ STEEPLECHASE. Two miles and a half. Lady Potoa Lad .. ..9 0 Callaghan' 10 7 Princess Isabel 9 0 Ruaform .. .. 10 2 Willen 9 0 Blue Steel .. 9 13 3.30— MARTON HANDICAP. Nine furlongs. Play On .. .. .. 9 0 1 Conveyer .. .. 7 10 Royal Star II 8 6 Flying Acre ..7 7 Homily .. .. .. 8 6 Liane 7 7 Dainty Sue .. . 8 5 Solaria 7 5 The Bigot .. . 8 4 Winsome Lu 7 4 Mataroa .. .. . 8 4 Student Prince 7 4 4.15— SPRING HACK HANDICAP. One mile and a quarter. Kaiwaka .. .. 9 2 Glenthawn .... 7 2 Amatory .. .. 8 3 Golden Orchid 7 2 Aurora’s Star 8 0 Hokumai 7 0 Donegal .. .. 7 11 Little Robin .. "7 0 The Ring .. .. 7 10 Eurotas 7 0 Seyfried 7 9 Richelieu Regicide 7 7 Pearl 7 0 Classform .. .. 7 2 5.0— FAREWELL HACK HANDICAP. Five I furlongs. Liberal’s Mint 9 0 Le Marquis ..7 7 Pretty Lass .. 8 7 Golden Hawk 7 7 ' Le Toquet .. .. 8 7 Daisy Chain ..77' Sleeveless .. .. ,8 6 Dark Water ..77' Filetto 8 1 Deflation 7 7' Earl’s Court .. 7 10 The Smiler .... 7 7 t Military Maid 7 9 I