Noorilim Stud Property and Thoroughbred Horses Dispersal Sale 1930

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.

Plate 5 is of the mare ‘Cross Battery’, the dam of Melbourne Cup Winner Artilleryman, and also ‘Alexandra’, dam of the Melbourne Cup Winner Kingsburgh.  Imported mare ‘Yippingale’ with foal at foot by ‘Comedy King’ is featured in sublime pastoral surrounds in Plate 11. Great Sire ‘Comedy King’ when resident at ‘Noorilim’ is depicted in Plate 20. The common ground is ownership by the Stud Principal and owner of ‘Noorilim’, the Hon Norman Falkiner MLC.

The four agents listed on the cover of the catalogue were instructed to offer the ‘Noorilm’ property in three lots prior to the sale of thoroughbred horses on account of the Estate of the late Hon Norman Falkiner MLC. This was followed immediately by the sale of 50 choice broodmares, three imported stallions and a teaser. Five brood mares were offered on account of various owners. Many of the mares and foals were by Comedy King with others by notable sires Valais, Heroic, Eurythmic, Crowdennis, Spearhead and Bayardo. Final brood mare listed was Lot 50 ‘Yippingale’ by then 21 years old and described with an element of parochial hyperbole as ‘one of the most highly bred mares in the world’! I don’t think I could have put it any better myself? The three resident imported stallions sold were ‘Spearhead’, ‘Ornamentation’ and ‘Crowdennis’.