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PRIDE OF LINCOLN - Mystery Mare

She is the 'mother of the trotting nation' the greatest broodmare of our industry. That is why when Wrightsons numbered the breeding families hers was made No 1. From Lincoln Yet(sire of the first Cup winner Monte Carlo) and stonewall Jackson in the 1890s to Christian Cullen in the 1990s arguably our latest true pacing superstar her descendants have produced champions in every era. Even now when her tribe numbers seem to have decreased alarmingly she can still claim Take A Moment alongside Cullen to show how the family just goes on at both gaits.

Her daughter, Thelma, whose memory is still commemorated by the Akaroa Trotting Club(thanks to the late Steve Edge) was even more successful than her own dam but because of better opportunities with trotting stallions. But Pride of Lincoln, who was owned by John Tod of Lincoln(of course), was where it all began.

Yet nothing is known about her dam, Sally. Arguments raged for years among the breeding experts about what breed of horse of horse Sally actually was. She was listed in the Stud Book as 'supposed to be a thoroughbred' and with (AUS) in brackets after her name. In the early days all trotters had thoroughbred blood close up. But later on when Pride of Lincoln and Thelma became so successful, some revision seemed to creep in and there were attempts to show Sally had trotting blood. You know how it goes.

Pride of Lincoln was a big strong mare too heavy to race and whose appearance was not always praised when she made occasional show appearances with a foal at foot. The only genuine clue about Sally is that when one of the tribe was advertised as a stallion in the 1890s it was claimed that Sally was imported by Robert Wilkin, the man who some time later landed the first Standardbreds in Canterbury.

The real answer to the Sally question was that it didn't matter. The truth probably lies with Doctor's Maid a thoroughbred foal of 1867 and the dam of Touchstone, the sire of Pride of Lincoln. Doctor's Maid left other foals who adapted well to trotting and so did the stock of Touchstone. Many years later some enthusiast got hold of Doctor's Maid's last filly foal and bred her to a pacing stallion as a very old mare. A filly resulted and her granddaughter produced the high class Auckland pacer of the 1950s in Laureldale. Blood endures.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed June 2016

KERR BROTHERS

There is no getting away from the fact that Canterbury has always stood as the birthplace of trotting in the Dominion. Though the sport is now firmly established in most parts of the country its followers turn instinctively to this province for leadership. Like any other newly-established sport, light-harness racing had plenty of difficulties to contend with. One of the strongest of these was the contempt with with it was treated by racing clubs.

That prejudice was gradually overcome and it is a tribute to its improved management and rapidly growing popularity that the two sports now go practically hand in hand. One no longer hears the taunt that trotting is for 'nondesript horses' attached to 'little carts' and 'tradesmen's prads.' Once the sport had overcome its initial mismanagement it commenced to attract the attention of an improved following of trainers and drivers. These included names that have become historical in the progress of the sport.

Hark back to the days when its stalwarts included such as the brothers Willie and Charles Kerr, Jos Farrar, Jim Munro, Chris Harold, Jack Milne, Bert and Manny Edwards, Ted Murfitt, Jim Wright and Charles Stace. Later the increased stakes attracted several American horsemen of whom Geo Starr, M Albaugh, and the redoubtable Bob McMillan did much for the sport especially in training methods.

Of all these the name of Willie Kerr stands out as the greatest all-rounder in the role of owner, trainer and breeder. Willie and brother Charlie frequently won half the races on the card and their appearance behind any horse was sufficient to ensure its favouritism. At that time many amateur horsemen crossed swords with the 'pros' and occasionally they had the better of the fight. In the nineties races confined to stallions were an attractive feature of the Show Ground programmes. On one occasion the field for the sires' race included such well-known stallions as Kentucky, Berlin, Abdallah, General Tracey, Lincoln Yet and Emerson, all of whom helped to improve the quality of light-harness stock. There was also a despised outsider in the Arab stallion Blue Gown, the only competitor handled by an amateur - one Mr Oliffe. Kentucky, though giving away 35secs (just fancy, 420 yards under the present system) was looked on as a certainty. But the good thing came undone. For once Blue Gown took it into his head to do the right thing with the result that his supporters received what up to that time was a record dividend.

Yet another incident of an amateur downing the professionals was witnessed at Lancaster Park in 1890. Of the eight starters in the Maiden Trot all carried support with the exception of Mr J Hill's Kangaroo. Even his owner, who rode him, had not a single investment on his representative, and all the money had to be returned to the backers.

But to return to Willie Kerr. Great as were his deeds on the track, it was as a breeder that he earned undying fame. And the foundation of his stud, situated on the New Brighton road, were the stallion Wildwood and the broodmare Thelma.

In the early eighties one of Canterbury's keenest authorities on light harness blood was Mr J Todd, of Lincoln. In his small stud was a mare called Pride Of Lincoln, who was about three parts thoroughbred. Being on the look-out for something good to carry his colours, Willie Kerr was greatly taken by a daughter of hers named Thelma, and purchased her. She won several races for her new owner, but her turf career was neither lengthy nor brilliant. Early in the century she joined Kerr's studfarm where Wildwood, who had just concluded a brilliant career on the tracks was the leading stallion. Thelma's first foal to the American sire was a very promising colt, but he broke a leg when running with his dam. In 1903 from the same union came Willowwood, a very speedy pacer, who won races and subsequently earned some fame as a sire. Next year came Wildwood Junior, winner of two Trotting Cups and one of the greatest racehorses of all time. Thelma's later contributions included Marie Corelli, Authoress (dam of Author Dillon), Adonis, Lady Sybil, Cameos, Waverley, Aristos, Neil Denis, The Pointer and Azelzion. Truly Thelma can be classed as 'the gem of the Trotting Stud Book.'

Nor was she the only matron to bring fame to Kerr's stud. Most notable of them was Gertie, an American-bred mare imported to Sydney by Messrs Trestrall and Burns in 1900. Two years afterward she joined the Wildwood Stud, which she enriched with 11 colts and fillies. Amongst these were such prominent winners as Storm, Calm, Breeze, Lexwood and Stormlet. All her foals were by Wildwood, or his son Wildwood Jnr. I have Willie Kerr's assurance that Calm was the speediest young horse he ever trained. As a matter of fact, his home trials eclipsed those of Wildwood Jnr and Admiral Wood.

The Kerrs were somewhat fortunate in acquiring Wildwood, the king pin of their establishment. The handsome son of Good Gift was one of four horses imported from America by Mr H Richardson, Taranaki. They were subsequently sent down to Canterbury for sale, and, on the advice of my old friend, Joe Chadwick, the Kerrs purchased Wildwood. Two years afterwards the American faced a racecourse crowd for the first time in a race at the Show Grounds, and though asked to concede from 4 to 10 seconds start, he was backed as a certainty. A little-fancied candidate in the Ashburton-trained Prince Imperial brought about his downfall. It was this race that led up to the famous match between Wildwood and Prince Imperial, over which big sums of money changed hands. Patiently driven by Willie Kerr, Wildwood never gave Prince Imperial a look-in, winning two straight heats.

It was over 60 years ago that Willie Kerr made his debut in the saddle. At that time on many Saturdays and public holidays impromptu meetings were held on the New Brighton Beach. At one of these Dick Sutherland had a mare racing called Maud S and it was on her that the youthful horseman won his first race. The prizes were of the utility order - a bridle, a saddle or even a whip. And showing his versatility, young Kerr also won a hurdle race on the beach on a mare named Patience.

Some years later the New Brighton course was formed. Along the back straight the track had been cut through a sandhill and for about 50 yards the horses could not be seen from the stand. So many non-triers were pulled up in this stretch that it became known as the 'standstill.' The New Brighton course was a lucky one for the Kerr brothers, who on several occasions between them won half the programme. Lower Heathcote was another happy hunting ground for Willie Kerr, as were Lancaster Park, Plumpton Park, and the Show Grounds. Occasionally he raced successfully at Tahuna Park and Forbury Park, but was not a great patron of meetings outside Canterbury

It is many years now since Willie Kerr last donned racing livery, most of his later activities being devoted to light-harness breeding, and in this department his name is just as strong as it had been on the tracks. For some months the octogenarian's health has not been the best, but as he is on the improve he looks forward to being present at Addington to see the next Trotting Cup.


Credit: F C Thomas writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 2Oct46

BETTY WRACK

BETTY WRACK (1928 Wrack-Nonnie), NZ family of Pride of Lincoln; 2:15.4; £1,367, 4 wins;10 foals, 6 winners. Breeder: W Warren, New Brighton. Foals bred by W Warren (Jill, Bessie Calumet, Betty Grattan, Super Globe); all other foals bred by F J August.

Betty Wrack's sire was Peter The Great's free legged pacing son Wrack (2:02¾). Imported by Harry Nicoll and standing at Durbar Lodge, Ashburton, he was one of the most successful of our earliest imported stallions. Wrack was NZ's leading sire on three occasions leaving 193 winners of both gaits (128 pacers, 65 trotters). Wrack's dam The American Belle, won the Kentucky-3T before producing several classic winners. Wracks progeny left eight Derby winners (NZ:5, GN:3, Aldershot, Arethusa, Ciro, Imperial Jade, Indianapolis, Tempest, Wrackler(2)), five NZ Cup winners (Indianapolis (3), Wrackler, Bronze Eagle) and three Dominion Hcp winners (Wrackler, Sea Gift, Peggotty). His standouts were Indianapolis (Three NZ Cups, NZFFA, AK Cup, GN Derby) and dual gaited Wrackler (GN/NZ Derbies, NZ Cup and Dominion Handicap).

Dam Nonnie, was by Galindo out of Ardzigular with Pride of Lincoln being her third dam, Galindo was exported to NZ from North America in 1905 and subsequently to Australia in 1922 (died in 1923). He proved a productive sire leaving 57 winners (46 pacers, 11 trotters), including Kola Girl (WA Cup, WA Easter Cup, Australian C/S heat1/final2, Aust mile record 2:07.8TT), Michael Galindo (Dominion Handicap twice) and was dam sire of Kolect (WA Cup), Logan Lou (National Cup Hcp twice), Onyx (National/ Ashburton Cups), Trampfast (Dominion Handicap). As well as Betty Wrack, Nonnie left Dilnon (male) and Nonnie Wrack who bred on.

The Pride of Lincoln family stands out in the top echelon of Australasian maternal families. It is the leading NZ family as proven by its six NZ Cup winners (Wildwoods Junior twice, Author Dillon, Invicta, Bee Bee Cee and Christian Cullen). Regina, Millie C, Dairy Maid, Kate and Fanny Fern are next best with four winners. Exported to NZ, Pride of Lincoln generated a majority of her descendants through her daughter Thelma (Kentucky from imported sire Berlin).

The family contains a massive number of classic performers. Apart from the NZ Cup winners above, leading performers have included Author Dillon (3 NZFFA's, NZ Derby, sire), Kates First (NZ/ QLD Oaks, Nevele R Fillies, AK Cup), Welcome Advice (VIC Derby, ID Final, sire), Rip Van Winkle (NSW/ QLD Derby, Aus Pacing C/S, Sir Clive Uhr C/S, sire), Christian Cullen (millionaire, leading colonial bred stallion, NZSS-3, Treuer Memorial, Miracle Mile, AK Cup, NZ Cup, FFA). On the 1:50 list are Franco Catapult (1:49.2 US) and the mare Ulrica Bromac (1:49.3 US) and the family's Australasian fastest is Teo Enteo's 1:51.7 (NZ - Christian Cullen 1:54.1). Leading trotters tracing back to Pride of Lincoln include ID Champions Tussle (Rowe Cup, Dominion Handicap), True Roman (Dullard Cup twice, Aust Trotting C/S) and millionaire Take A Moment (ID Trot final twice, three Dominion Handicaps, Rowe Cup, NZ Trotting FFA/ National Trot/ Bill Collins Mile twice, Aust Grand Prix). The family's fastest trotter is Stig (T1:55.2).

Betty Wrack commenced her race career as a three-year-old in the 1931/2 season when she had two pacing wins (Addington - Christchurch Hunt meeting). Placed at four, her final two wins came as a five-year-old (Blenheim Hcp - Marlborough TC/ Dash Hcp - Greymouth). She continued racing at six (placings only) before he final three unplaced starts as a seven-year-old in the 1935/6 season.

In the broodmare barn, Betty Wrack's fillies included:

1. Fair Isle (Light Brigade), won the Rowe Cup (dr Vic Alborn, owner Vic Alborn and E J August) and Bridgens Memorial at Alexandra Park as a six-year-old; the Dominion Hcp as a nine-year-old (dr Maurice Holmes) as well as Christchurch Hcp Trot, CPTC Stewards Hcp Trot among her twelve Victories (five at Addington). She left no foals.
2. Betty Grattan, had one unplaced start as a six-year-old but bred on being grand dam of Hilton Highway (Southland Futurity-3).
3. Fairfield, had a few unplaced starts at three and four. She bred on being fifth dam of Whitecliff Whistler (Junior FFA, QLD FFA's) and Atom Sam (Rangiora Cup), with descendants in Shake It Mama (Bathurst Gold Tiara-2f, AUS Oaks), Lady Octavia (TAS Oaks).
4. Fortuna, was a winner of eleven races overall. These included Metropolitan Stakes-4(Addington), Electric/Ranfurly Handicap(2) at Alexandra Park, Flying Mile on Show Day in 2:05.6 and Farewell FFA at Addington National meeting. She bred on being dam of Forbid (Geraldine Cup) and Lady Fortuna who was 3rd dam of Mai Mai (AP Flying Mile, Flying Stakes-3, Cambridge Classic-4, Waikato Flying Mile twice, ID heat) and Return With Care (Tiwai/Invercargill 4/5yo C/S).
5. Jill, won the final Westport Cup run at Craddock Park in 1944 (clay track 1903-1944, originally known as Mill St Racecourse) before moving to the current track at Patterson Park (grass 1945). She won four races in total, two each at Greymouth and Westport. Jill was grand dam of Smooth Hanover, minor sire in NZ (Karalea Roxburgh Cup, Patinor Wyndham Cup); 3rd dam of good trotter Jillinda (Ordeal Cup, BPTC Trotting Cup); 4th dam of Joshua Tree (NSWSS-2c, Newcastle Mile) and 5th dam of Placid Arc (good winner in SA/WA).
6. Tui Scott, the winner of seven races over six seasons, four of them at Alexandra Park, was dam of:
. Don't Retreat (QLD Derby, Sir Clive Uhr C/S, WA Cup, Winfield Gold Cup, 4 ID hts, Australian Horse Of The Year, sire of 40 AUS winners.
. Alecane (ID ht)
. Eva Storm: dam of -
..Eva Thor - Raith Memorial, granddam of Astrazaani (Leonard Memorial).
..Stormy Pat, dam of Seaswift Franco (Caduceus Club Classic-2f).
..Three Little Pigs (Methven Cup).
..Silver Halo, dam of Cup class pacer Kotare Legend (14 wins, Ash Flying Stakes, National Hcp, second NZ Cup, sire of 22 winners
and Eva Storm is granddam of Jimmy Johnstone (Methven Cup), Royal Counsel (Southland Oaks); 4th dam of About To Rock ($½, Hunter Cup, TAS Pacing C/s).

Betty Wrack's male progeny included:

1.Fillmore, a gelding who recorded four wins over eight seasons of racing including a Thames Pacing Cup at Parawai Racecourse (grass).
2.Super Globe's 3 wins all came at four including NZ Pacing Stakes 3/4yo at Addington. He sired several winners prior to his death in 1959, including Congo Boy (Nelson Winter Cup), Empire Globe (Westport/ Reefton Cups) and dam sire of Belmartial (NZ Trotting Stakes-2).
Congo Boy was very closely inbred (1/2 to Super Globe).
3.Cossack Post was a minor winner of 3 races with two of these at Reefton.



Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed Feb 2015

CHARLES KERR

For any top horseman it was a cruel fate. In May, 1914 leading driver, Charlie Kerr, posted a career highlight driving the unbeaten rising star Admiral Wood to win the first New Zealand Derby, then held at New Brighton. It was owned and trained by his brother, Willie, who would soon sell the colt for a staggering price in those days of £1,000. Within hours of the Derby triumph Charlie was on his deathbed aged just 54.

He had driven into the city in what was virtually a road sulky at 6:30pm to celebrate, leaving the city at 10:30pm. Witnesses saw the travelling very fast on Regent Street in Woolston an hour later and soon afterward they collided with a telegragh pole, Charlie was thrown on the road. He suffered a "laceration of the brain" which affected his behaviour in hospital. He refused food until his death a few days later. There were many tributes to the cheerful horseman from Wainoni.

The Kerr family, prominent in the New Brighton area (Kerrs Reach is named after them), had already suffered a tragedy involving horses, when Peter Kerr, who farmed the Sandhills Run (Christchurch only went to the end of Gloucester Street in those days) was also killed in an accident with a horse. Charles and William established a training and breeding property operating seperate training stables at Wainoni, which was eventually called Wildwood Farm. Willie was the senior partner but also a farmer. The brothers had first made their mark at New Brighton beach meetings in the 1880's and came up with horses like Nilreb (his sire Berlin backwards) which won at Springfield from 400m behind and three races in aday at Westport.

Two decisions by Willie Kerr then took them into the big time.He bought the American horse, Wildwood, in the North Island in 1894. Wildwood, an impressive black, was a wild success but also proved there are no certainties in racing. Winner of the first Sires Stakes run in this country and then lightly used as a stallion, he was constantly in training for nearly two years before he returned in 1897 and was regarded as an unbeatable certainty against the best in the land.

Wildwood had been handicapped four seconds however and in the field was a little known pacer from Ashburton called Prince Imperial, who upset the American trotter in sensational circumstances. That led to a famous £1000 match race at New Brighton, by far the biggest stake ever raced for by harness horses in this country. Driven by Willie because his brother was ill, Wildwood norrowly won the first heat (best of three) with something in reserve. He then slaughtered his classy rival in a new Australasian mile record time. He would become a landmark stallion here but died in 1905 when just 12 and at the peak of his powers. Prince Imperial was also an influential stallion.

Willie drove out to Lincoln one day to check out a gelding breeder John Tod had for sale. Instead he was very taken with a filly on the Tod property and bought he for £30. Named Thelma, she was the fifth and last filly from Pride Of Lincoln whose No 1 family has produced champions from Wildwood Junior to Christian Cullen and beyond. A black like his dad Wildwood Junior, a pacer, was the first colonial horse to win a sires premiership here, but was only one of Thelma's outstanding foals. He famously won two NZ Cups in his only starts in those seasons, one in world record time.

Thelma, a fine racehorse, had 16 foals in as many years. Two died, one was unraced and all the rest won at least once. Willowood, brother of Wildwood Junior was never beaten over three seasons (though only one start in each) and like Waverley (a half-brother based later in Southland) was an outstanding stallion. Marie Corelli was a track star and a breeding gem while Authoress, injured before racing and dead at eight, left the champion Author Dillon. Willie sold him as a youngster for £500 to a wealthy local, James Knight, a short time before he also won a Derby.

Willie owned several mares who still hold an influence in sales catalogues and would break in up to 15 yearlings of his own a year, big numbers then. Most were for sale - a sort of pioneer Ready to Run concept. No other New Zealand mare has matched the extraordinary lagacy of Thelma as the Akaroa Trotting Club has noted for many years now.

Like many trainers then the Kerr brothers, though popular figures, had their moments with authorities. One notorious case involved Wildwood at Plumpton Park. On the first day when hot favourite he was well beaten and stablemate Sing Sing (ancestress of the Moose family) won at nice odds. On the second day Wildwood, driven by Charlie, had a special light cart attached and won easily. The public and authorities were not amused especially as the brothers made no secret that they backed the champion heavily on the second day as he had only been in work for eight weeks. Administrators found changes justified but moaned about the "public image of the sport with these sort of incidents."

Charlie's death seemed to turn the tide against Wildwood Farm. Santa Rosa, the first fully Commercial standardbred stud and Coldstream became the industry leaders. Willie may also have lost some interest though he lived until 1951. In 1921 he sold up all his horses except Wildwood Junior who was passed in. He got over £2000 for the others. In 1924 he sold the farm to Harry Aker who had the champion mare Waitaki Girl and the ill fated fated Peter Chenault. Later the Bussell family trained there.

The Kerr name remained a force in harness racing for decades after Willie and Charlie but never like the dramatic years of Wildwood and Thelma.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in HRWeekly 29May13

1910 NZ TROTTING CUP

The race of 1910 will be long remembered for the series of mishaps associated with it. Just after the field had been sent on its two mile journey Walnut swerved across the track and collided with Manderene, both horses losing their drivers. Then King Cole ran into El Franz, whose driver was thrown out of the sulky. In the meantime, Manderene had practically taken charge of the track. Careering around at a mad gallop he forced the other competitors to get out of the way as best they could. One of the few to escape trouble was the previous year's winner, Wildwood Junior. Cleverly driven by his owner-trainer, William Kerr, the handsome son of Wildwood got an almost uninterrupted passage and had no difficulty in defeating Bright and Ribbons.

Of all those early winners, Wildwood Junior stood out in a class by himself. Either he or another of Wildwood's progeny in the sensational Ribbonwood, would have equalled the performances of some subsequent winners had the track conditions and training methods under which they raced been equal to what they are nowdays.

-o0o-

NZ Trotting Calendar 31 October 1945

In 1909 and the following year Wildwood Junior won the NZ Cup. Many experienced horsemen who sa Wildwood Junior's performances, and every Cup winner since, are still of the opinion that Wildwood Junior ranks with the greatest winners of the race. His dam was the Kentucky mare Thelma. Thelma is one of the gems of the Stud Book. Not a great deal is known about her ancestry, as the Stud Book states she was from the thoroughbred mare Pride Of Lincoln, by Touchstone, second dam Sally (imp), but if anything can be written regarding her progeny it must be acknowledged that, despite the fact of inability to prove many tabulated ancestors, her breeding could hardly have been anything but aristocratic. To further enlarge on the influence of Thelma's progeny, it need only be mentioned that her daughter Authoress was the dam of Author Dillon, who won the Cup in 1918, and he in turn was the sire of Auditress, who was the dam of Marlene, the 1940 Cup winner; further, Wildwood Junior was the sire of the dam of Lucky Jack, also a dual Cup winner.

-o0o-

Bernie Wood writing in The Cup

Wildwood Junior set an Australasian record for two miles when he easily won his second NZ Cup. His time of 4.33 beat the record set by Ribbonwood seven years earlier. The Cup was again the only race Wildwood Junior contested during season. If he had stayed sound he might have been the country's second champion pacer, after Ribbonwood. The free-going son of Wildwood received a great ovation from the large crowd when he and owner-trainer-driver Bill Kerr returned to the enclosure.

His record run was remarkable because he had had to race through a disorganised field of 15, with a strong easterly wind and dust frm the front-runners hampering his progress. The stake for the Cup reached four figures for the first time and the club offered 6000 sovereigns over the three days. The time limit for the Cup was tightened to 4:44, and a capacity field of 16 made that mark, most of them pacers, though a few trotters were still able to make the top field.

Wildwood Junior was handicapped eight seconds behind the front line. Trackwork before the race suggested that Wildwood Junior, Al Franz, Manderene, Walnut (an Otago representative who came north with a big reputation), Ribbons and Aberfeldy would dispute the finish. The three-horse bracket of Manderene, Dick Fly and Albertorious, from the stable of Manny Edwards, were the favourites, with Albertorious the least popular of the three. Wildwood Junior, Walnut and Al Franz were the next-best supported.

Unfortunately, the race was a poor spectacle, spoiled by a series of mishaps. At the start Walnut swerved across the track and collided with Manderene, both horses losing their drivers, Robert Logan and Manny Edwards respectively. King Cole played up and ran into Al Franz, who dumped Charles Kerr on the track. Several others suffered interference, while Durbar refused to leave the mark. It was the second year in succession that King Cole and Durbar had failed to start.

Verax went to the front for Claude Piper and led from Bright, Fusee and Ribbons. For much of the race the driverless Manderene hampered the leaders. At the halfway stage Wildwood Junior got near and, passing the stands for the last time, Bill Kerr worked him in behind the leader, Verax. Once into the back straight Wildwood Junior went to the front and won by four lengths from the pony Bright, who ran an exceptional race for Tom Frost. Bright paid £21 15s for secod, a place dividend that has not been exceeded in the Cup's history. Ribbons (Free Holmes) was third 10 lengths back, then at considerable intervals came Aberfeldy, Terra Nova and Lady Clare.

A total of 29 bookmakers operated on Cup Day and brought the club £560 in fees. Totalisator investments were £17,036, of which the Cup attracted £4205. The three-day turnover reached a record £50,889. A new grandstand, with a seting capacity of 2500 and reported to be the finest in New Zealand, was in use for the first time. The outside patrons were given the use of the old grandstand, so altogether 6000 could be seated at Addington. After the second race the New Zealand Trotting Conference president, Phineas Selig, officially opened the new stand.

The weather on the second day was again perfect. Of great significance was the appearance on the programme of the Dominion Handicap, later to become major race for trotters. However, in 1910 the race was open to maiden performers assessed at 5:10 or faster. Two Australian records were broken on the third day. Redchild recorded 4:40 for two miles, the fastest ever in saddle; and Dillon Bell, a three-year-old, ran 4:41.4, a time never previously recorded by one of his age, when he beat Terra Nova, Aberfeldy and the other top-class horses in the Christchurch Handicap.

Credit: 'Veteran' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 13Nov63

1904 NZ TROTTING CUP HANDICAP

Seventy-one years ago the youthful Metropolitan Trotting Club decided to upgrade its main event, the NZ Handicap to the NZ Cup Handicap with the prizemoney rising almost double to the mighty sum of $610.

That first Cup in 1904 has tremendous significance for such a great success was it that the future of the Cup was assured and much of its magic (particularly in Canterbury) stems from the extraordinary events of that sunny November day so long ago.

The first Cup was run on the last day of the traditional Metropolitan meeting and in 1904 it was on what is now Show Day. The field for the inaugural event was not a large one but it had considerable quality by the standards of the day and a crowd of nearly 10,000 turned up to see it run. On a population proportion basis that is equivalent to nearly 50,000 today. Eight races were run and the tote turnover was $37,000 compared with 1974's nearly $800,000, with that much again in TAB investments.

The warm favourite to win was the great imported mare Norice, who has since been a major influence in our breeding scene and was the dam of the outstanding racehorse and sire Nelson Derby. Norice tried to do a 'Gold Bar' in the first Cup, rush to the lead at the start and at one stage being 15 lengths clear of the field in the hands of that colourful adventurer Dave Price. But rounding the last turn, Norice was starting to feel the pinch and the veteran Monte Carlo overtook her and cleared out to win by eight lengths from Norice with Durbar, who was to win in 1908, third and Royalwood next. Royalwood was trained and driven by Lou Robertson who was later a famous racing trainer in Australia, among his wins being the 1937 Melbourne Cup with Marabou.

Monte Carlo, paying $8.80 to win, was given a tremendous reception by the crowd, one that has rarely been matched since. The ladies present showered him with roses and by the time the old gelding reached his stable half of his tail had been plucked by his elated fans. It is not hard to see why Monte Carlo was so popular for he was the veteran to end them all. Depending on your source, he was either 14 or 15 years old the day he won the Cup and had been on the tracks since the 1894 season. By Lincoln Yet, the first foal of the great Pride of Lincoln and an extremely successful sire (he figures in the pedigree of the Rustic Maid family among others), Monte Carlo was originally owned by J Brake and at his only start in 1894 he won a maiden event at the Christchurch Showgrounds by 60 yards.

The next year he had one win from four starts, winning at Lancaster Park by eight lengths after conceding a 22sec start (220m behind today) but failed to win the following season from a handful of starts. Sold to the Greenpark sportsman Tom Yarr, the following season he won once from 20 starts but did better in 1898-99, winning six, including two in succession one a mile and the second over two miles - they certainly made them tough in those days. He gained five wins over the next two years, taking a highly respectable mile time 2:22, and his New Zealand Cup win was his only victory for the 1904 season. Even at that age he was not finished. He raced for two more seasons, being unplaced in 16 attempts in 1905 and gaining one win from nine starts the following year, which was his swan song.

Winning races from 4 to 16 years of age is no small feat but his owner-trainer was a prominent sportsman at that time and he was driven in most of his wins by the great Bert Edwards. Monte Carlo was a straightout trotter and the only one in the first Cup field as pacers were gradually taking over at that time. Only one other trotter has ever won the Cup in the 70 years since Monte Carlo set the ball rolling.

The old trotter was a great favourite with the crowds and though it may be fashionable to look down on some of those old-time champions with their short pedigrees and strange actions, there is no doubt he was a most worthy Cup winner. Perhaps somewhere he is keeping an eye on the 1975 aspirants, quietly chuckling about their strange harness and gear. And if he knew the mana the New Zealand Cup has today, old 'Monte' could justifably say 'I certainly started something there.' He certainly did.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in NZ Trotguide 6Nov75

BERLIN

At first glace it would seem out of place to list a horse among the great stud sires who had not sired more than 60 winners which is a commonplace figure today. But Berlin, a sire with such a record, has a special place in our breeding history. For one thing, he was the first trotting bred stallion ever to stand in this country, being imported in 1881. For another he became a major influence on our breeding development as can be seen as his stud career unfolds. His 60 winners came at a time when trotting was in it's infancy and his achievements pro rata would equal most leading sires who followed him. He produced two horses who could fairly be called champions and one other who came very close to that rating, and his daughters bred on well. There are not many top families who do not carry Berlin blood somewhere along the line.

Bred in 1870 Berlin was exported to Scotland before racing and he was sold to New Zealander Robert Wilkin as a ten year old. Mr Wilkin was a businessman of substantial reputation who had a fondness for acquiring the fastest buggy horses around to help him beat the opposition on Christchurch roads. To steal a march on his rivals and to generally improve the breed of utility horses Mr Wilkin brought out Berlin and stood him at his Fendalton Stud. In later years he imported a number of others and mares who were extremely successful and he is generally recognised as the pioneer trotting studmaster. Whether in fact Mr Wilkin originally intended his imported stock to be primarily producers of racehorses however is open to debate.

Berlin was well-bred by American standards. His sire Woodford Mambrino had an unusual career racing once at three and not appearing on the track again for eight years. In between times he stood at the stud and did not get many mares and he only produced about 100 known foals. Many of these became fine performers and one of his sons, Pancoast, was sold at auction in 1886 for $28,000 which was a record price for a sire at that time.

In NZ, with no opposition of course, Berlin became very popular for he was described as a handsome bay of balanced proportions. Indeed some breeders became just a bit ambitious in getting his stock on the market for it was noted at the time that several yearlings by Berlin had been sold at auction before his first progeny appeared. Encouraged by Berlin's success Mr Wilkin then made more purchases this time in America and nearly all were successful. The tragedy for us was however that he leased Vancleve to Australia for two years and so successful was he that he never got back to this country, though a number of his stock were imported here.

Berlin however was sent mares of all descriptions and pedigrees but soon a number were showing to advantage on the racetrack and his matings with Wilkin's imported mares produced particular success.

His first track star was Callista a mare from Southern Queen who was predominantly thoroughbred in blood. Ashburton owned, Callista gave regular thrashings to assorted fields in the late 1880s and early '90s. And was our first recordholder over two miles. He saddle time of 5:22 made in Christchurch on a day when she had already won a race was followed by a 5:36 time in harness which remained for some years. At one stage Callista was owned by Dan O'Brien of Carbine fame but she became inconsistent in her form and was taken to Australia where she was asked to concede starts of up to half a mile in a three mile race. She was ultimately disqualified in that country and legend has it that she then went to America. Although the more cynical considered that she may well have been scoring victories in the country meetings around Australia under an assumed name, for such things were not unusual at that time.

Another by Berlin was Kentucky a son of the imported Jeannie Tracey. A trotter, Kentucky was the champion of his year and his influence on our breeding can never be erased, if only for one of his daughters - Thelma, the greatest broodmare ever bred in NZ. Contractor (5 wins) was another top horse of the late '80s while Stonewall Jackson by Berlin from Pride Of Lincoln (dam of Thelma) was the Robalan of his era. He won ten races which was a record in his day and won a number of them from the stable of young Freeman Holmes who raced him on lease. It was not unusual for Stonewall Jackson, a big versitile pacer, to concede starts of nearly 20 seconds to his rivals in two mile races - the equivalent today of 200 metres.

Wilkin, the result of a mating of Berlin and the great Polly, ancestress of over 85 winners, was another recordholder of his day taking a mile time of 2:16. Other fine performers he sired were Fraulein, Shamrock, Young Berlin, Berlin Maid, Patchwork and General Tracey. Berlin was easily the leading sire of his day. His 60 winners were accumulated at a time when trotting meetings were not as common as they are today. In addition the programmes were often of five races and these included at least one pony event which restricted sires of the time in amassing impressive records. It is not known how many mares Berlin served before his death in 1896 but it can be fairly claimed that few of them ever saw the racetrack. They were used as buggy horses, their owners producing the three or five guinea service fee either at the Fendalton Stud or when Berlin was taken 'on tour'.

If Berlin made a big impression with his immediate offspring his feats as a broodmare sire were even more impressive. Fraulein (from the imported Woodburn Maid) won one race only but produced at stud the wonderful Fritz, the greatest trotter of his time, perhaps anywhere in the world. Australian and NZ crowds loved this game foolproof trotter who, in dozens of starts, broke his gait only once. His full-brother Franz was also a noted performer and later a successful sire. Puella, a full-sister to Fraulein was the dam of Belmont M and Almont two top performers in their time. Almont, who was also a successful sire, held the three mile record for many years when that was a popular distance. In fact if it comes to that he probably still does hold it. Brown Duchess was another daughter to breed on, and the family she established produced in recent years, the top pacer Leading Light. Patchwork became the dam of the well performed Needle Work.

Another great foundation mare by Berlin was Regina who was ancestress of Logan Chief, Native Chief, Grand Mogul, Walter Moore and Southern Smile amongst others. Regina is typical of many of the mares Berlin had to serve being of doubtful ancestry though thought to be thoroughbred. Minto claims Parisienne, Garcon Roux and Soangetaha among her descendants.

If Berlin has had considerable influence through his daughters (and we have only skimmed the surface here), he has had a wide influence through his sons also perhaps more so than most other sires to stand here. He had a good start of course. Being the first trotting bred stallion in the country it was natural that owners of his sons were keen to put them to stud and many of them held their own against the increasing number of imported stock. One of his best sons was Contractor who seems to be missing from registered sires lists. A good winner himself Contractor sired Specification who at Lancaster Park in 1894 lowered the world record for four miles covering the distance in 10:47 although there seem to be some argument over the time. Contractor was still racing at this stage. Specification himself was a successful sire in later years.

Prince Bismark, another unregistered stallion, sired Ruahine who in turn produced the Australasian pacing champion Dan Patch in the early years of this century, Dan Patch took a 2:09.4 mile time but unfortunately died early and had virtually no stud career.

So although Berlin may not be a name which springs to mind as a great sire there are any number of top horses which carry his blood in their veins. The old fellow mightn't have a lot going for him on paper in terms of winners and stakemoney but he was our first champion sire and considering many of his stock never saw a racetrack he can hold his head up with any of the great sires who followed him.

Credit: David McCarthy writting in NZ Trotguide 14Oct76

Robert Wilkin

MR R WILKIN

Robert Wilkin was born in Scotland and after a time in Australia arrived at Lyttelton in 1858. Two years later he was elected to the Provincial Council of Canterbury as the representative for Timaru. Wilkin had by this time amassed extensive land holdings throughout Canterbury and Otago and was a man of many interests. He organised the first sheep sale in Ch-Ch, was judge at the first Merino sheep sale at Shepherds Bush, was a grain and seed merchant in Ch-Ch, was on the council of Canterbury University and with George Matson founded the Agricultural & Pastoral Society of Canterbury.
Wilkin raced thoroughbreds, was on the handicapping committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club and one of the founders of the Middle Park Stud.

One of his business partners, John Carter of Tinwald was responsible for the importation of the British mare Miss Kate who holds a hallowed place in the NZ racing scene as the ancestress of both Phar Lap and Kindergarten. In addition her son, Perkin Warbeck II became the sire of several foundation mares in the NZ Trotting Stud Book.

Wilkin's interest in trotting bred horses was kindled more by a wish to improve carriage horses than winning races. In the mid 1870's on a visit to Australia one of the mares he brought back was Sally, which had a strong trotting action that would suit his purpose. After being sold, Sally was mated with the thoroughbred Touchstone and produced a filly, which as Pride of Lincoln founded an outstanding family.

In 1881 Wilkin bought the American bred Berlin which was an immediate success at stud in Canterbury.
The following year Wilkin was offered Childe Harold, which he bought and on-leased to Andrew Town of Richmond, NSW. During his seven years at stud Childe Harold was so outstanding he was hailed as the Hambletonian 10 of Australia and was one of the main reasons for the Australian standardbred proving superior to their NZ counterparts in this era. Sydney's Harold Park is named after him. Luckily, his greatest siring son, Rothschild came to NZ and established a dynasty here.