Radium II
Acknowledge: Australian Stock Horse Society 40th Anniversary Compendium
See: https://www.ashs.com.au/the-society/about-us/about-us/
Featured Image: Radium II with Glen Wisemantel, in 1937
This sire son of Radium, foaled in 1926, is of considerable importance to the Australian Stock Horse Society. The most successful horse in the Australian Stock Horse Stud Book, ABBEY – FS, is line bred to Radium II.
Radium II was by Radium out of Molly. Molly was by Zariff, who was by Zulu, the winner of the 1881 Melbourne Cup. Zulu will always be remembered as the Melbourne Cup winner who was led behind a sulky from Taree in New South Wales, to Flemington in Victoria, to win the race. Molly was out of an Eclipse mare. It is believed that this Eclipse was an imported TB who was renowned for his stock horses and his gallopers.
Like his sire and grandsire, Radium II was also an outstanding campdraft horse, winning his first Open at Bulahdelah in 1931. During his short five year career, he won 24 campdrafts. In the 1920s and early 1930s, the top place to win was at Wallamba, near Nabiac. It is interesting to note that Radium II won at Nabiac in 1932, 1933, 1935, 1936 and 1937. His full campdraft record reads: five wins at Nabiac, four wins at Bulahdelah, three wins at Dungog, three wins at Gloucester, one win at Taree, three wins at Wingham, two wins at Kempsey, one win at Maitland, and two wins at Qurindi.
Unfortunately, this brilliant horse broke his leg campdraft at Taree Show in March 1938, in the prime of his life at only 12 years of age. Despite all efforts to save him, he had to be put down several months later, on 29th June 1938. In all his wins, he was ridden by (W G) Glen Wisemantel of Krambach.