Kia-Ora Stud Dispersal 1961

Featured Image: Front Cover Dispersal Sale Catalogue of Kia-Ora Stud, Scone 1961

This sale must have sent shudders throughout the thoroughbred breeding community in not only the Hunter Valley but also NSW and Australia.

For most of the 20^th century Kia Ora had been among the big league of major studs throughout the nation and even beyond. Under the expert tutelage and exquisite stewardship of Percy Miller and Bert Riddle the stud farm had scaled the heights. I have written about this elsewhere. I have included this virtual ‘hagiography’ below.

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I have in my possession two letters written by the late Stanley Wootton in his nether years. The first is a carefully worded hand-written long letter to Murray Bain dated 31^st December 1972. It is on quite flimsy ‘branded’ writing paper from the Hotel Southern Cross in Melbourne. Mr Wootton outlines his thinly disguised ‘dismay’ at the state of play at Baramul Stud since the total dispersal of bloodstock in 1969/1970. Enough said!

Featured Image: Letter from Mr Wootton to me in October 1974

This was pivotal in my decision to invest in a share in ‘Bletchingly’ following his retirement from racing to stand at Widden Stud in 1975. It was the ‘big lottery win’ of my life!

I think both letters considered together paint a vivid word picture of the iconic thoroughbred breeder Stanley Wootton?

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Baramul Stud Dispersal 1958

Featured Image: Catalogue Front Cover of Baramul Stud Complete Dispersal 1958

I’ve referred earlier to ‘economic expediency’ as the driver for COMPLETE Dispersal Sales. There are also elements of ‘creative marketing strategies’. Should I define that? This must have been the ‘dispersal sale when you’re not having a dispersal sale’? Do I recall a soft drink company promoting a well branded non-alcoholic alternative which had something to do with ‘something you’re doing when you’re not doing something’?

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Noorilim Stud Property and Thoroughbred Horses Dispersal Sale 1930

Featured Image: Front Cover of the Sales Catalogue

Somehow I think this must have been the genteel age of thoroughbred racing and breeding in Australia? However as ‘one book closes another opens’. This is the oft repeated mantra in the industry. During my sometimes admittedly superficial research I discover some gems. There are multiple treasures embedded in the seminal reference tome ‘Racehorses in Australia’ edited by Dr W H Lang, Ken Austin and Dr Stewart McKay. Among the best are the Colour Plates of Art Work by imported ‘genius’ Martin Stainforth.

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Night Raid (Imp.)

I think it might be true to say that ‘Night Raid’ made a subdued if not undistinguished beginning to his foray into thoroughbred racing and breeding in the Southern Hemisphere? Imported to NSW ‘Night Raid’ was successful in a race at Randwick but subsequently ‘broke down’ during a Cup preparation. The astute judge Mr A F Roberts was quick to realise the extreme value of his breeding lines and bought him for NZ. From only slender opportunities initially ‘Night Raid’ quickly established his credentials as a great sire.

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Elderslie Stud NZ

Featured Image: The Elderslie Stud Sale,

The Elderslie Stud, Oamaru, NZ is forever imprinted in the elite pantheon of thoroughbred stud legends wherever and whenever they are discussed. It was here that the ‘immortal’ Phar Lap was bred. Phar Lap is rated at Number IV in the highest category of all-time champions together with Secretariat, Man O’War, Seabiscuit, Frankel, Ruffian, Black Caviar, Sea Bird II, Ribot, Citation and Zenyatta. There might be a more-than-slight American bias in these ratings but his place among them is incontrovertible and sacrosanct. Winx may be about to join the ultra-select list.

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