FAMOUS STABLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 October 1940, Page 6

FAMOUS STABLE

VISITED BY AUSTRALIANS.' DERBY WINNER INSPECTED. The love of Australians and New Zealanders for a good horse is traditional. No doubt Mr J. V. Rank, English flour millionaire, had this in mind when he issued an invitation to members of the Australian Imperial Forces in England to visit his' famous racing stables, Druid's Lodge, situated almost in the shadow of Stonehenge. Kenneth Slessor, official correspondent with the A.I.F. in a despatch released here by the Australian Trade Commissioner (Mr C. E. Critchley), says that racing is almost at a standstill in England and in consequence more than 100 horses- representing the bluest blood in the studbook are eating their heads off in the stables. Amongst them are untried youngsters by such sires as Solario, Blandford, Rhodes Scholar, April the Fifth, and Hyperion. Other horses at present living a life of luxurious idleness include Southern Hero, Asam Pasha, Knight’s Armour, Master Matty—half brother to Papyrus—and two horses by Bagpipe and Black Spec, by Black Watch from Punkah HI., an Australian dam.

7 The glamour boy of the collection is The Druid, half brother to Scottish - Union, who, for Mr Rank, won the St ■ Leger and other famous races. The ; Druid is known by the racing world 1 as "Rank’s Folly.” Mr Rank bought it i the day after Scottish Union won a big ’ race, hearing that a half brother was j to be auctioned. The price paid was j 13,000 guineas. Since then, the Druid t has won only one race, and is unlikely > to have a chance to win any more. [ The stables are magnificently coni structed with lawns, private training . tracks, and a swimming pool. The horseboxes are of solid oak and glitter with polished brass. The place originally belonged to Mr P. A. Cunliffe, and I there is an iron grille across the entrance to the stableboys’ quarters which Cunliffe used to padlock when he wanted to prevent information of a projected coup leaking out. After a tour of inspection of the magnificent buildings and grounds, the Australian party was taken i to Mr Rank's home on the estate. Guests in the house included Mr J. H. Thomas, former Secretary of the Dominions, his wife, daughter and son-in-law, Mr A. J. Mannings, R.A., famous animal painter, was also there. "The last thing I heard before the party left.” says Mr Slessor, “was a Sergeant informing a groom that there was a horse in Australia called Ajax which could also ‘hobble around a bit.’