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AYR

Ayr (1922 Logan Pointer-Precision) NZ family of Precision; 2:31.7; £1,312; two wins; 12 foals, nine winners. Breeder: H F(Harry) Nicoll, Ashburton.

Ayr's sire Logan Pointer (1909) imported by Free Holmes in 1915 sired 191 winners with Harold Logan the stand out (2 NZ Cups, 3 NZFFA's). Broodmare credits included Inter-Dominion(ID) Champions: Logan Derby, Grand Mogul and Springfield Globe (dam Ayr) who was influential as broodmare sire of all of Ayr's progeny. Logan Pointer was leading NZ sire on seven occasions.

Her dam Precision was by St Swithin out of a thoroughbred mare in Kildasa. St Swithin (Rothschild-Queen V) recorded several feature wins at Addington and Forbury Park. St Swithin was sire of 13 winners including Lady Swithin (GN Derby, Champion Stakes). Precision besides Ayr left fillies by Logan Pointer in Gatwick (descendant Valley Champ - Golden Nugget, ID Pacing Consolation), Maud Logan and Correct, a Wrack mare whose descendants include Armbro Lady (dominion Handicap), Johnny Be Cool ($½m, 1:49.4 US), Lady Creed (Miracle Mile, 24 successive wins), Maheer Lord (NZSS-3, WA Cup).

Commencing racing as a three-year-old in 1925/6, Ayr won her first start at Timaru. She won at Alexandra Park where she was placed second in the GN Derby (won by stablemate Nantwich) and second in the Champion Stakes-3 at Addington (later moved to Ashburton). A single placing at four and unplaced at five, she began her broodmare duties after being sold by Harry Nicoll for 37½ to Edgar Tatlow (Tasmania).

Amongst her male progeny, Ayr left three influential sires.

1. Van Ayr, winner and time trialled in 2:06.8TT (Trmora), was sired by the most prolific of Globe Derby's sons in Van Derby. Van Ayr produced 233 winners. His greatest success came as a broodmare sire; like his sire, neither managed to extend their line. Van Ayr sired Avian Again (14 successive wins) and was broodmare sire of Tenny Rena - dam of Jikk Adios (Aust Pacing C/S), grand dam of three time ID champion Our Sir Vancealot ($2m, 1:55.4, Treuer Memorial/WA Cup twice, Miracle Mile, SA Cup, Aust Pacing C/S)/ Quantum Lobell (SA Cup, TAS Pacing C/S) and third dam of Bonavista Bay (Golden Nugget, VIC SS-4h).

2. Our Globe, considered superior to Springfield Globe at the time of the 1039 ID's in Tasmania, , won his first two heats but was disqualified for six months for failing on the third day. He won another heat at Gloucester Park in 1940 (4th in final) as well as TAS Easter Cup. At stud, he sired 158 winners essentially all winners of Tasmanian features (Payray-29 wins; Tipster, TAS Derby). His broodmare credits included TAS Derby winners Gentle Armagh/ Jimmy Maru/ Our Cygnet/ Standing Beauty/ Jive (VIC Oaks).

3. Springfield Globe at five won the 1939 ID Pacing Final and was declared ID Champion (on points) when it was held at Elphin, Launceton. Following the ID's he was leased to Roy Berry to race in NZ. His NZ race career commenced with three starts at the 1939 Auckland Christmas carnival for a fourth in AK Cup. At six, he was unplaced in two starts at each of Addington's Easter and Ashburton's Queens Birthday meetings. At seven he recorded win in Rattray/ Mason/ Paparua; seconds in National/ Ollivier Handicaps (to Gold Bar), Churchill Handicap FRTC, Canterbury Handicap and third in Easter Handicap. As an eight-year-old, he was unplaced in Easter Handicap, fourth in Champion FFA at Addington; second in Winter Handicap, fourth in All Aged Stakes at Ashburton's Queens Birthday meetings. In the 1943/4 season, Springfield Globe won August FFA, NZFFA (then called Premier Sprint C/S) and finished sixth in NZ Cup (Haughty's second Cup). His total NZ earnings were £3,088.
Springfield Globe sired 299 winners (73 NZ; 226 Australia) having stood in both NZ (1944-47) and Australia (June 1947-54). He was leading sire of winners in Australia in 1956 (70). Springfield Globe was the first ID Winner to sire an ID winner in Tactician (ID Final, NZFFA, first pacer in two minutes in a race outside USA), dual Hunter Cup winner Sheffield Globe, Victorian Derby/ Hunter Cup winner Mineral Spring, NZ Cup winners Adorian/ Mobile Globe, AK Cup winning mare Thelma Globe and Aachen (SA Cup, won 27 of 32 starts), winner of record 20 consecutive races in Australia. The best of Aachen's progeny was Richmond Lass who won three Oaks(NSW/ VIC/ SA) and an Inter Dominion. Springfield Globe was the best broodmare sire left by Logan Derby - Cairnbrae/ Invicta (NZ Cup), Scottish Command (AK Cup), Dignus (NSW Derby), Explicit (NSW Sapling, VIC Oaks). The Springfield Globe male line finished with his son Bylaw.

Tullochgorum, Tasmanian winner and successful minor sire. Cloudy Range, a gelding won 15 races including Greymouth Cup, CPTC Winter Handicap, Lightning/ Craven/ Clarkson/ Mason/ Presidents Handicaps at Addington and Presidents Handicap at Forbury. He was twice unplaced in NZ Cups.

Ayr's fillies were:

Ayr Derby, NSW winner who bred on. Ayr Lass, unraced left descendants in Cruikshank Lad (Shepparton Trotters Cup) and The Redgum Coach (Aust Trot C/S heat). Ayress, Sydney winner who bred on because she was granddam of Australian two-year-old pacing mile record holder Eden Monaro (2:09.8, NSW Sapling). Commotion, recorded five wins including Waikato/ Otahuhu Cups. She bred on being granddam of Sydney trotter Meadow Vale and third dam of Bendigo Cup winner Freedom Day. Lindayr, unraced, bred on. Pauline, unraced third dam of Dollars Double (WA Golden Slipper, Fremantle Cup), Infield (Kilmore Cup). Raidare, winner whose descendants include Torque In Motion (1:52.5, Ladyship Mile).

Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed Jan 2015

BARGAIN PRICED HORSES

Large prizes are the headlights of progress. They are the rewards which await those who own the fastest and stoutest racehorses. They increase values, and place the acid stamp of merit on the names of winners which, in time, become the basis of comparison with those which preceeded and those which follow them.

No owner of racehorses has ever complained that the stakes are too large, but it is a common lament on the part of sale-ring frequenters that 'they could have had for such and such a bargain price' a horse that surmounted its humble origin to flourish into one of the best compaigners of its time. The sale-ring bargains are numerous. Many of them changed hands at prices that must have been a considerable loss to their breeders, and, in the right hands, numerous cast-offs have richly rewarded the speculators with a keen eye for a passable bit of horseflesh.

Buying horses is a gamble and always will be. There are more bad ones than good ones sold or practically given away. On the same day that 400gns was paid for a good-looking filly, which turned out to be a duffer, Nicoya, a gelding by Wrack, was knocked down for 4½gns.

Here we digress for a moment. The Wracks became one of the greatest breeds we have had in this country, but their early stocks were low indeed. In spite of Wrackler and First Wrack coming from Wrack's first season, shrewd judges got the idea that the bulk of the breed were 'wasters.' So strong did the prejudice become that some owners did not so much as bother trying their young horses by Wrack. One well-known breeder even resorted to the desperate expedient of going on a shooting expedition among a paddock full of Wracks! This unwarranted prejudice was no doubt the reason why three of the greatest trotters of the breed, or any breed for that matter, were picked up at auction by lucky ringsiders for a few pounds each.

I have in front of me as I write a sale catalogue of H Matson & Co dated Easter Monday, 1931, in which a bay yearling filly by Wrack from a Paul Huon mare was sold on behalf of Mr H F Nicoll for 6gns to D Neill. That filly was none other than Sea Gift, who late found her way to J Bryce's stable, eventually to end up in the ownership of Mr C M Archer. Trained by E J Smith, Sea Gift won thousands, became the champion 2-year-old trotter - her record of 4.21 2/5 still stands - and beat good pacers after outclassing herself among her own gait.

Lot 13 turned up trumps for Mr R H Butterick, who went to Tattersalls Horse Bazaar on Wednesday, August 14, 1935, and paid no heed to superstition or anything else by bidding 4gns for the aforsaid lot, a bay mare, seven years, by Wrack from a Nelson Bingen mare. This mare was about the most unprepossessing piece of horseflesh imaginable, and it took Allan Matson all his time to 'give her away.' The mare, intended for a humble farm animal, by mere chance was tried for speed and became Peggoty, who won seven races on end, had a foal, and returned from the brood mares paddock to win the Dominion Handicap.

In another catologue I find that Nicoya was sold by the same firm, and on behalf of the same vendor, for 4½gns. Nicoya was described by a well-known trainer at the sale as "a big, soft-legged, carty gelding who might be useful in the harrows." The great majority who saw him sold evidenly sudscribed to this opinion, because Nicoya was knocked down to a West Coast sportsman for 4½gns. When he eventually came into the ownership of Mr J Manera, and was handed over to L F Berkett to train, Nicoya became a star among our best handicap trotters and finished up by beating Huon Voyage in the Champion Handicap, one mile and a half. The 4½gns cast-off was one of the greatest trotters produced in this country. It is certain that the best of him was never seen.

A 'Tasmanian buyer' secured a veritable goldmine when a NZ agent bid 37½gns, on his behalf for Ayr, who was sold at Tattersalls on behalf of Mr H F Nicoll on March 24, 1932. The 'Tasmanian buyer' was Mr E Tatlow, who bred from her Springfield Globe, Our Globe, Ayress, Van Ayr, Ayr Derby, and three younger ones all by Raider, the last of which, a colt, arrived in 1943. In view of the great track performances of Springfield Globe and Our Globe, it is reasonable to assume that any foal from Ayr today must be worth a tidy sum.

Karangi was bought at one of Mr J R McKenzie's dispersal sales for £10; Roydon's Pride (dam of Certissimus and Desmond's Pride) went under the hammer at Tattersalls for 27½gns, and Slapfast (dam of Gold Flight) for 12gns.

When 'money is scarce and hard to get' you should search round and try to happen upon something like Garner. But you would require a lot of luck as well as an eye for a likely sort to pick up such a rare bargain as Garner turned out to be for the late E C McDermott. This daughter of Sonoma Harvester and Pat Dillon was bought by McDermott for 16gns. She was a born trotter who showed unusual ability when only 2-years-old. As a 3-year-old she was the best trotter of her age that season, winning a double at Cheviot. At 4 years she put up a remarkable performance by winning the three principal trotting events at the Auckland Cup Carnival. Later she beat most of the best trotters in commission at Addington and took the two-mile record of 4.28 2/5. In her track work Garner trotted a mile in 2.09, and the last half mile in 62 4/5.

Thelma Wrack, when carring the Sapling Stakes winner, Moana Tama was sold for £2/10/- and the mare and foal were later passed on to Mrs G Bills for £10. It is related that Thelma Wrack was a hard mare to handle and that she could never be raced. At one time, I am informed, she was ordered to be shot, but she eluded all attempts to catch her. The frustration of those who had designs on her life is one of the fads of Fate, not new by any means.

Madam Templeton, in foal to Jingle, was knocked down at Tattersalls for £3/10/-. A colt foal duly appeared, to be named Rollo. He was raced for a time by Mr D R Revell, who sold him to Mr H M Allen, for whom he won thousands.

Mr E F C Hinds bought the then crippled Harold Logan for 100gns and won more than £11,000 with him. At Mr H W Aker's dispersal sale he had Tactless knocked down to him at 60gns, and developed him into a tidy stake- winner. Llewellyn's Pet, whom he secured for 14gns won several races.

Quality, one of the best staying mares of her time, was sold in 1927 on account of Mr A Bright, Ashburton, to Mr J O'Grady (her breeder and original owner, by the way), for 45gns. Quality won a considerable sum in stakes and qualified for the NZ Cup. She was one of the best investments that C S Donald ever had in his stable.

Billy Sea, when his sun was setting, as most people thought, was sold by Mr J A Mitchell, of Palmerston North, in 1927, to L Stobart, of New Brighton for 38gns. Stobart won the big race at New Brighton the following year with his purchase, and paid a huge dividend. Then N C Price trained Billy Sea to win a saddle race at Addington. Returned to Stobart, Billy Sea started in the Ashburton Cup, which he won at another large dividend. He was a hard wearing veteran, and it was remarkable the number of times his ability was under-estimated.

Kean John, sold by Mr M O'Brien to Messrs Barton and Trengrove in 1932 for 100gns won £1337 for those owners, while The Rook, sold in 1922 by A Hendriksen to A E Messervey for 27gns afterwards collected close to £1000 in prize money. Albert Logan, who was sold for 62gns by Mr A P Tutton to J W Thomas in 1923, won nearly £600. Tumatukuru, bought by a patron of W J Tomkinson's stable for 35gns, showed a handsome profit, as did Whakaku who was sold by Mr M O'Brien to a Perth sportsman for 75gns in 1926, and won distinction in the West. Lady Barrister, a well-bred mare in foal to Guy Parrish was sold in 1928 by Mr E Cambridge to Mrs W Balloch, of Melbourne, for 70gns. Her foal was Guy Parrister, a good winner, and she was raced again after rearing the foal, with good results.

Glenrossie, who was sold by Mr R M Morten to Mr J McDonald, for 80gns, won his way to the best company, crediting the Wellington sportsman with several thousands in stakes, and at times returning good dividends when his form should have pointed otherwise. Logan Park, another winner of thousands, was purchased by Messrs Armstrong and Johnston for 125gns, and Cannonball proved a bargain at the 105gns paid for him as a young horse.

Carmel, winner of thousands, changed hands as a youngster at 14gns. Mountain Dell, another big stake-winner, was sold as a juvenile for £10, and Impromptu, a great pacer, was sold as a 3-year-old for £45. Moneyspider was another that was passed on very cheap, and last, but not least, Monte Carlo, winner of the first NZ Trotting Cup, who once changed hands for £25.



Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 20Sep44