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LOGAN POINTER

Early in 1915 Riccarton horseman Freeman Holmes took delivery of three horses which he had selected in the United States with the assistance of Mr W Lang. The shipment was horses but as far as the struggling standardbred industry was concerned it might have been fine gold.

The three horses which were to leave an indelible mark in their adopted country were a yearling filly Trix Pointer, the 3 year old filly Bonilene and the Star Pointer horse Logan Pointer, then six years old. Trix Pointer and Bonilene founded two of the most sought after families in the stud book while Logan Pointer was to become a sire of legendary achievements in a tragically brief career. Indeed surveying his success and comparing it with others whose careers at stud were much longer it can be argued that he was the most successful stallion ever to stand in this country.

Whether his triumphs year after year surprised even those responsible for bringing him to NZ it is not known but it can be safely assumed that it would have been a shock to his American owners. At the time of his sale to Freeman Holmes, Logan Pointer was an unfashionably-bred horse who had never got to the races. It is not known how much was paid for him but Maurice Holmes relates that the price would have been very small and it is even possible that Logan Pointer was 'thrown in' with the two fillies. Racing in those days was at a fairly low ebb in America and an unraced six year old such as Logan Pointer would not have been a stud proposition there. Freeman Holmes saw something in him though and his almost unerring judgement at selecting bloodstock was to prove right again.

Logan Pointer didn't take long to establish himself. Appearing first on the sires' list in 1918 he was fifth the following year, then second and top (with Wildwood Jnr) in 1921. For the next six years he reigned supreme against some very good sires before Nelson Bingen forced him into second place by the barest of margins in the 1928-29 season. He never regained the top spot because of his untimely death but he was well up in the list through the middle thirties by which time he was also top broodmare sire. During his years as leading sire Logan Pointer produced the winners of 493 races and altogether he sired 187 individual winners - a ratio to foals which would take a lot of beating. As a sire of broodmares he was even more famous producing in all the dams of 318 winners including 65 in the 2:10 list.

To include here every top winner with Logan Pointer blood in their veins would fill pages but we can take a look at some of his greatest performers.

Undoubtedly his finest son was Harold Logan who will need no introduction to older readers. The winner of 27 races from 66 starts including two Cups, Harold Logan was the idol of his day and still perhaps as popular a horse as has ever been led into the Addington birdcage. Harold Logan was immensely popular because of his speed, his courage, his almost uncanny intelligence and because of the rags to riches success he was. He didn't race until he was five and was very ordinary until coming into the hands of Dick Humphries as a seven year old. From then until his retirement at the ripe old age of 15 he held crowds in the palm of his hand, setting several records including an amazing 2:36.8 over 1¼ miles on a soft grass track at New Brighton.

Then there was Logan Chief who was a top pacer of his day and the winner of over $24,000 over a long career, which was really big money then. Cardinal Logan won 17 races in all including the Speedway Handicap when it was a Cup meeting feature and he ran second to Kohara in the NZ Cup. Acron won nine and two of them were NZ Free-For-Alls. Acron was the fastest pacer of his day holding the mile record of 2:03.6 for a number of years. Unfortunately he was a wayward type and never developed his full potential. Native Chief was another in the same category. Widely regarded as our 'most likely to succeed' two minute horse (he worked 2:02 at Addington), Native Chief proved untrainable most of the time. Every leading trainer had a go at him at one time or another but his great speed could never be successfully harnessed though he won a NZ Derby when caught in the mood.

Onyx was a mare also not easy to train but she won $22,000 (a record for a mare at that time) and held a 1½ mile record of 3:13. Apart from Onyx and Bonny Logan, Logan Pointer had most racetrack success through his sons. Others to be leaders of their time were Jewel Pointer, Logan Wood (Dunedin Cup), Prince Pointer, Logan Park, Logan Lou (two National Handicaps), Great Logan, King Pointer (National & NZFFA, the one eyed trotter Trampfast (Dominion Handicap and very successful among the pacers) and Colene Pointer.

Logan Pointer did not as a rule leave many trotters, Trampfast being the only one who reached the top. His stock were noted for their hardiness, many of them competing over many seasons, and also for their temperaments, the sire himself being a very sensible stallion, easy to manage. The occasional wayward one appeared but they do in most sire lines. Altogether Logan Pointer's offspring won nearly $500,000 which in the depressed stakes era of the twenties was a marvellous feat.

As a sire of broodmares Logan Pointer was even more successful. Statistics were not officially kept in those days but there is no doubt he was the leading sire of mares for many seasons. To give you some idea of his influence take a look at these names who had Logan Pointer mares as their dams: Springfield Globe, Logan Derby, Free Advice, Silver De Oro, Grand Mogul (24 wins including an Interdominion Final), Royal Silk, Regal Voyage (dam of Haughty), Royal Empress (grandam of Highland Fling and Highland Kilt), Imperial Pointer (dam of Gold Bar), Smile Again and Kingcraft.

When toting up the list of early two minute performers in NZ, Gold Bar, Haughty, Highland Fling, Johnny Globe, Tactician and Caduceus all had Logan Pointer blood running freely in their veins. In the late twenties Logan Pointer's offspring held nearly 70%of NZ time records. Logan Pointer's sire line didn't survive long here, Logan Fraser probably being the most successful, siring over 30 winners including Ronald Logan. Jewel Pointer was a moderate success here and in Australia. It was unfortunate that most of his best sons were geldings.

Where Logan Pointer got his extraordinary siring potential from is difficult to determine. His sire Star Pointer, the first two minute pacer, was, giving him the best of it, a disappointment at stud, and Logan Pointer's distaff lines were rather obscure. The tragedy of his stud career was that he was cut down when at the height of it. In January 1924 when only fifteen years old, the stallion was let out of his box as usual for a stroll around the paddock while his groom Joe Washington returned for some more shuteye. But unknown to Washington there was a pony also in the paddock and the groom was awakened by a noise from the paddock rail. The noise was made by the escaping pony who had savaged Logan Pointer and kicked him in the leg, splitting it right up to the thigh. There was no chance of saving the great sire and he was accordingly put down.

During his nine seasons he had served about 100 mares a season, his fee never rising above 12 guineas. The mares were by no means all trotting bred and his feat of producing nearly 200 winners from about 900 matings was a tremendous one. What he might have achieved if he had lived another five years is anybody's guest. Is it any wonder that breeders still like mares with Logan Pointer blood in their veins? As a racehorse he may not have been much but as a stallion he was one in a thousand.





Credit: David McCarthy writing in NZ Trotguide 7Oct76

FREEMAN WRIGHT HOLMES

As an all-round exponent of all branches of trotting and racing, it is doubtful if Freeman Holmes has had an equal in the Dominion. In his day he rode gallopers on the flat, over hurdles and steeplechase fences, and also figured largely as a trainer and owner of what our American friends term "the runners." To this must be added the success he has achived on the trotting tracks with trotters and pacers. Nor must we forget his benefit to trotting by the importation of high-class stallions and broodmares. With the rifle and shotgun he had few superiors so it is quite evident that in Freeman Holmes we have an all-rounder who is in a class by himself.

Though this article has to do more with his trotting than his racing activities, both branches of the sport must be included to give an idea of Holmes's versatility. Away back in the early eighties, a race meeting was in progress at Ashburton. There was a shortage of jockeys and, when the hack race came up for decision anyone with the smallest pretentions to riding ability was pressed into service. Under the latter category came young Free Holmes, and so commenced a turf career that was to be both varied and colourful. On the occasion under notice it took the midget (then about 5st) all his strength to carry his dead-weight to the scale. There being a shortage of lead, a sack was requisitioned. Into this (so the story goes) were piled blacksmith's tools, lumps of iron and even stray bricks. This conglomeration was lashed to the front of the saddle almost obscuring from view the pocket-edition jockey. Despite these drawbacks, young Holmes gave a foretaste of his later ability by piloting Our John to victory.

Among those who witnessed young Free's debut was the astute judge of both horses and men, Patsy Butler, then at the zenith of a meteoric career. So impressed was the genial Irishman with the boy's display that an offer of employment followed. Thus began an association that Free Holmes still regards as the turning point in his career. One of the first horses he rode work on was that grand steeplechaser, Agent, who carried Bulter's colours to victory in three Grand Nationals. The early tuition given by Patsty and his chief horseman Tommy Lyford, undoubtely laid the foundations for Holmes's subsequent success in the saddle.

One of the proudest moments of Free's life was when, garbed in green and white hoops, he rode Tit Bits to victory in a race at Riccarton. With experience he soon took rank among the best of his profession. He won the Dunedin Champagne Stakes on Butler's erratic but brilliant Thackeray and when that great 3-year-old Manton won the 'triple crown' at Riccarton in 1888 Free had the mount on him in the NZ Cup and Canterbury Cup. At that time he could go to the scale at 6.10, so that he avoided putting up too much dead weight, Wally Clifford was given the mount on Butler's colt in the Derby. Despite the success that had come his way with Manton, Butler was soon in monetary difficulties again. To meet pressing demands all his horses were sold up and Free severed his connection with the stable.

His next employment was as trainer and jockey to the Leeston sportsman, Mr Walter Spring. At that time Leeston was a real 'up-and-coming' district - much more so than is now the case. It had it's own racecourse, and quite a number of good horses were trained there. Among the first of Free's charges were Bredalbane, Red Cross, Carronade, The Idler and Magpie. He won races on all of these, including a third in the Grand National Steeplechase on Magpie. Actually the first horse Free ever rode in a hurdle race was Erin-go-Bragh, and thereby hangs a tale. On the second day of a South Canterbury he was having a little flutter in which two pennies placed on a kip played a prominent part. The fates had not been good to him; indeed, he was what is commonly called 'stoney broke.' Just then along came genial Tommy Sheenan seeking a rider for Erin-go-Bragh in the day's hurdle race. On Sheenan making his wants known to 'the school' Holmes thought of a good way of getting some of his own back and on the spur of the moment accepted Sheenan's offer. With an advance on the riding fee Holmes went on with the game in han and was rewarded with a change of luck. During the next few hours he was in anything but a happy frame of mind, but, even though i was against his inclination, free was determined to stick to his bargain. Erin-go-Bragh did not win, but the jockey's fee enabled his rider to get home again.

A few years later Mr Spring decided to retire from racing. This left Freeman Holmes again at a loose end and which determined him to launch out as a public trainer at Riccarton. Again success came his way through the agency of Empire, Ability, Cameo and Cadet, while for Mr Victor Harris, he prepared Strathnairn, Rochester, Searbrook, Epaulet and others.

It was with the name of Liberator, however, that Free's fame was perpetuated. When attached to Butler's stable he had to look after that most brainy of all thoroughbreds, one who could mix galloping, hurdling and steeplchasing as to the manor born. Free had the mount when 'Old Lib' spreadeagled a good field in the Grand National Hurdles of 1894, carrying 12.6 and subsequently landed the Ellerslie double of Great Northern Hurdles and Steeplechase. Not long afterwards the old battler broke down so badly that he was sold for £6. To Free was entrusted the job of patching him up again, with such good results as to enable the veteran to win a few more races. On finally concluding his racing career Liberator was turned out to end his days in fitting ease and comfort. The poor old fellow was nearly blind. One evening he wandered away from his home paddock an next day was found at the foot of a cliff with a broken neck. Is it to be wondered at that Free still has a soft spot in his heart fpr 'Old Lib' whom he maintains was the best all-rounder
and most sensible racehorse ever to look though a bridle.

In the early days of the early days of the trotting sport well-bred American stallions did much to benefit the class of light-harness horses. Robert Wilkins's fine assortment of sires and broodmares laid a foundation that has stood the test of time while in later years Messrs E X LeLievre, Bob McMillan, Free Holmes and J R McKenzie and others, all added blood strains, both through stallions and broodmares. Though he has not maintained an extensive stud Holmes showed excellent judgement during his several trips to America by choosing such sires as Logan Pointer, Rey de Oro and Grattan Loyal, a trio whose influence on the breeding industry has been outstanding.

As Holmes's introduction to the racing world was of a somewhat unusual nature, so also was his entry into the ranks of light-harness enthusiasts. Among the presents he received on the occasion of his wedding, was one from that fine sportsman, Mr Graham Holmes. This took the form of a trotting pony Black Oats. This was his first experience with a light-harness horse and the success he attained with her soon found him just as keen with the trotters as he had ben with the gallopers. He also brought his ability gained with gallopers to bear on the side wheelers.

The first top-notcher to enter his stable was Stonewall Jackson whom he leased from Mr Harry Mace. This over-sized trotter was a remarkable horse for he won races in saddle and harness, some of his best performances being registered on the three furlong Lancaster Park track, generally giving what nowdays would be looked upon as impossible starts. Then came the Australian-bred Vasco, who won many important races on Canterbury tracks. One of these was gained at Ashburton which was a regular Tom Tiddler's course for the gelding and his new owner. It was on this track that Holmes won his first races on the flat, over hurdles and over country. Another coincidence in connection with the Ashburton course was that on it Free won the hurdle race on the opening day of the meeting three years in succession and had a fall each time on the second.

When fairly launched out with the trotters he was successful all alongthe line; in fact he handled winners of most of the Dominion's important races. Free is of the opinion that Great Bingen was the fastest horse he ever sat behind, but even so, he credits his little favourite Trix Pointer with being the best all-rounder. With her he won the NZ Trotting Cup, Free-For-All, National Cup and other big events. Though a slug in training, she was an altogether different proposition when raceday came round. Other winning performances to Holmes's credit are the Canterbury Park Handicap with Logan Chief, NZ Trotting Stakes with Quickfire and the Timaru Cup with Emperor. Consequent on the age limit now imposed on drivers, he is now debarred from holding the reins on race days, but his stable, situated on the Yaldhurst Road, always shelters a few light-harness horses with a galloper or two thrown in. As a reinsman Free had few superiors. He was never in a hurry till the winning post hove in sight and alway displayed fine judgement in calculating pace. His name will go down to posterity as a driver and trainer of the highest rank, and evidently he has bequeathed his ability to his three sons, Freeman Junr, Alan and Maurice.

After several successful seasons Holmes decided in 1915 to go further afield in his endeavour to find new strains of pacing and trotting blood. This took him to America where he secured Logan Pointer, Bonilene and Trix Pointer. On taking up stud duties at Riccarton, Logan Pointer was an immediate success, and, until his death in 1924, he headed the list of winning stallions on eight occasions and later became the leading sire of producing mares. Encouraged by the results of his first trip to the States, Holmes made another trip in 1922. Again his judgement was vindicated by the purchase of Rey de Oro, who proved a worthy successor to the incomparable Logan Pointer. After a short but successful turf career the son of Copa de Oro took Logan Pointer's place in his owner's stud and prior to his death in 1939, Rey de Oro was leading sire several times and later leading sire of broodmares.

Free's next venture to America was in 1930 when Grattan Loyal and Frank Worthy were purchased. Frank Worthy, who survived only four seasons at the stud, got many good horses of both gaits, and considering the comparatively few mares representing him, he put up a remarkable performance to become the leading broodmare sire in the 1847-48 season. Grattan Loyal was an outstanding sire of tough, high-class racehorses. His progeny included Gold Bar, Loyal Nurse, Dundee Sandy, Mankind, Loyal Rey, Loyal Peter, Bulldozer, Loyal Friend, Coquette, Colonel Grattan, Nell Grattan and Renown's Best. Grattan Loyal was never leading sire, but he finished a close second to Jack Potts and others on several occasions, and he sired 294 individual winners of £466,121 in stakes in the Dominion alone. He lived to the advanced age of 32, and in later years he became the leading broodmare sire. Thus, every stallion imported by Mr Holmes was at one time or another the leading sire of broodmares.

Trix Pointer, after winning 'everything in sight', made history at the stud. Her son, Wrackler, became the greatest dual-gaited performer of all time - and still is; and her numerous great descendants include other top-notchers of both gaits. Bonilene also became a cornerstone of NZ breeding, and two of her descendants, Adorian and Lookaway, won the NZ Cup. Mr Holmes also imported Estella Amos, dam of the triple NZ Cup winner Indianapolis, and whose descendants continue to include great horses of both gaits.

Free Holmes retired from race driving in 1944. He was then 72. However, a gracious act on the part of the New Brighton Trotting Club, and Free's son, Allan Holmes, saw the veteran return to the sulky in September, 1947, to drive Gold Bar in that great pacer's farewell exhibition at Addington. The 'Grand Old Man' of Dominion horsemen, and the racecourse idol whose forbears Holmes had imported several generations back certainly made a combination and an adieu par excellence.

Three of Mr Holmes's sons, Freeman, Maurice and Allan have been notable trainers and horsemen, and two grandsons, A K (Kevin) and Graham, inherit the family skills. Free Holmes in his peak years was said to have 'no peer in the sulky.' In a race he was a tough man to drive against, giving no quarter and expecting none. His sons were often reported to remark in the dressing room that if "the old man" had given them "an inch of room" they would have won. He was a tremendous 'character,' and is already a trotting legend.

Credit: F C Thomas writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 1Mar67

Wildwood Junior , with owner Bill Kerr

1909 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

Wildwood Junior, having his first and only race of the season, gave the other contenders a pacing lesson in the 1909 New Zealand Cup. By the time the post was reached, Bill Kerr's brilliant but unsound pacer was 40 yards ahead, winning in 4:39. The margin remains the most decisive in the history of the race.

In 1895 Kerr bought the three-year-old colt Wildwood for £500 on one of his trips to the United States. Two years later he bought the mare Thelma from her breeder, J Todd, of Lincoln, for £50. She turned out to be a great New Zealand-bred foundation mare. Wildwood Junior was the second foal of their mating. A five-year-old black stallion, Wildwood Junior was the eigth favourite of the 10 starters, mainly because he had not raced that season.

On the same day, Willowood, Wildwood Junior's full-brother and the result of the first mating of Wildwood and Thelma, won the Au Revoir Handicap after losing several lengths at the start. Unlike the Cup winner, whose victory was unexpected, Willowood went out favourite. He was retired unbeaten in three starts, recording a win in each of the 1907-08, 1908-09 and 1909-10 seasons.

The 1909 Cup was raced at a time when the country was divided on the gambling issue. The 1908 Gambling Act, passed by Sir Joseph Ward's Government still had bitter opponents. A day or so before the Cup, more than 100 people waited on the Prime Minister in Wellington, protesting at the increase "almost beyond belief" of the gambling evil. Sir Joseph Ward, from all accounts, gave them a sympathetic hearing, but it did not prevent him attending the Show Day racing. Certainly, as the momentum of Cup week gathered in Chrischurch , the country had its agitators seeking a change in the legislation to reduce racing permits.

That enormous strides had been made in harness racing in Canterbury was evidenced by the opening day of the meeting. The Metropolitan Club offered stakes of 5502 sovereigns. The Cup stake, increased to 700 sovereigns, was the richest offered for a harness race in New Zealand or Australia. The Cup card was regarded as the best offered by a harness club with the qualifying time of the race tightened to 4:45. For the first time the race carried a restricted handicap, which was set at 10 seconds and designed to give the backmarkers a better chance of victory. The Cup was raced on the first day, Tuesday, setting a pattern that existed for many years.

An exciting newcomer, King Cole, a son of Ribbonwood from the Rothschild mare Kola Nut, was the favourite, but, along with Durbar, he boke at the start and was out of the race. Albertorious, bracketed with Revenue (driven by Manny Edwards), was the next-best supported, but for the third time he let down his backers, finishing well back.

For a lap John M, Verax, Imperial Polly and Master Poole formed the leading group. Further on, Wildwood Junior got within striking distance of the leaders and, with a mile behind him, burst into the lead. From that point the outcome was never in doubt. The further they went the greater the lead became for Wildwood's speedy five-year-old son. There was a great contest for second, with Terra Nova finishing half-a-length ahead of Lord Elmo, a duplication of their 1908 placings. Then followed Revenue, Imperial Polly and Master Poole. Imperial Polly, unsuccessful in the Cup on three occasions - 1909,1910 and 1911 - was by Prince Imperial. Later, at stud, when mated with Logan Pointer, she produced Imperial Pointer, who to Rey de Oro produced Imperial Gold, dam of tha amazing Gold Bar. Lord Module, the star of the 1979-80 season, traces back to Imperial Polly.

Bill Kerr's association with harness racing stretched back into the previous century. In 1887 he bought a block of 50 acres on Wainoni Road, halfway to New Brighton, and established his stud, later appropriately named Wildwood, and private training establishment. He and his brother Charles trained numerous horses there. Later, the brothers dissolved their partnership, Charles setting up as a public trainer and Bill concentrating on breeding and training his own horses.

Wildwood Junior first raced as a three-year-old in the 1907-08 season and soon worked his way into the best circles. As a green colt he won the Progressive Handicap at Addington in 4:50.8 and later, as a four-year-old, the Courtenay Handicap in 4:41. He eclipsed those times in his first Cup victory, clocking 4:39.

Wildwood Junior, standing an impressive 16.1 hands, was described as a commanding and perfectly-shaped stallion. However, his racing days were restricted because he had unsound legs. His only races in the 1909-10 and 1910-11 seasons were the New Zealand Cups, an both times he was successful. In the latter season he was the top money-winner, solely from his 700-sovereign share of the 1000-sovereign Cup prize. As a two-year-old, Wildwood Junior served two mares, and the matings produced two good performers in Calm and Goldie, both of whom won their first three races. Calm was favourite for the 1913 Cup, but finished third.

With earnings of £1656, Wildwood Junior was retired to Kerr's stud as a seven-year-old, but not before he had become the first double-winner or the New Zealand Cup.

Prince Albert won the main race on the Thursday, the Christchurch Handicap, from King Cole and Lord Elmo. On the Friday, Al Franz, a speedy four-year-old, won the Courtenay Handicap from Albertorious and Aberfeldy.

A total of 27 bookmakers operated each day, yet despite that opposition the totalisator took a record £45,018. The £3072 invested on the New Zealand Cup was only £86 short of the 1907 record.



Credit: Bernie Wood writing in The Cup

BELLE LOGAN - Classic Winner Producing Mares

BELLE LOGAN(1916 Logan Pointer/Curfew Bell), NZ family of Bonnie Belle; 2:20¾; £640, two wins; 11 foals, 9 winners. Breeder: W J Morland, Rakaia. Foals - 1926 Dillon Logan bred by D Rodgers, Rangiora, mare then shipped to Edgar Tatlow, Hayley, Tasmania in 1929; all other foaled in Australia including 1929 foal Pendant (in foal to Native King NZ).

Belle Logan's sire Logan Pointer (1909) was imported to NZ by Free Holmes in 1915. He sired 191 winners, Harold Logan being the stand out (two NZ Cups, three NZFFAs). His broodmare credits included InterDominion Champions Logan Derby, Grand Mogul and Springfield Globe. He was influential as broodmare sire of a numberof the progeny of Bonny Logan (Admiration, Bayard, Captain Morant, Coquette, Safety Pin) as well as Belle Logan (Jean Logan, Logan Derby, Lone Raider, Pendant). A member of the Tom Hal sire line, Logan Pointer was leading sire on seven occasions in NZ in a career shortened by his death in 1924.

Curfew Bell (Wildwood/Bonnie Belle), a half sister to Country Belle was the dam of Belle Logan and grand dam of Logan Derby, sire of Johnny Globe, in turn sire of Lordship etc. Bonnie Belle (Lincoln Yet/arab mare from the stud of Sir John Cracroft Wilson, Cashmere) was the foundation mare of this classic winner producing family. Her daughter Country Belle (1915 NZ Cup) will be reviewed with regards to the deeds of classic producing mare Rustic Maid in a future article.

Belle Logan had four unplaced starts as a four-year-old in 1919/20 before recording her only two wins(FPTC and Waimate RC). She raced as a five and six-year-old and she had one start as a seven-year-old. She only recorded one further placing. Belle Logan's progeny included the legendary Logan Derby, a son of Globe Derby and winner of 57½ races for prize money in excess of £10,000. These included being undefeated in the inaugural IDs in Perth 1936(three heats/final) and champion on points (heat winner, two thirds and fastest times from long marks) in 1940 also in Perth. Under the championship rules, Logan Derby with 18 points was proclaimed champion from Master Dixie(13½) and Grand Mogul(13⅓). Grand Mogul received £1,000 for his Grand Final victory, the same amount as Logan Derby who received a gold cup. During the ID carnival, Logan Derby established his 2:04TT record placing him among the first six horses to better the 2:05 mark in Australia.

Logan Derby spent time in NZ in late 1938 where in seven starts he won on three occasions and placed in the other four starts. His record showed: thirds in NZ Cup(Morello)/ Ollivier Hcp, second in Louisson Hcp before winning NZFFA - all during 1938 Cup carnival with three starts at Forbury Park resulting in wins in Forbury Hcp and Forbury Presidents Hcp before a second in his final NZ Start, Recovery Hcp. His NZ earnings amounted to £1,795.

Exported to NZ(1944) to F J Smith after initially standing at stud in Perth in 1943 for J P(John) Stratton) following his retirement at age 13, he sired 98 winners(36 in Aust). These included champion Johnny Globe(winner of 34 races/45 places, 15 FFAs, four world records, NZ/GN Derby, NZ Cup, NZFFA(2), leading sire/broodmare sire including Lordship, NZ Hall of Fame), Fabius(GN Derby), Jewel Derby/ Tapuwae(Rowe Cup), Vodka(Dominion Hcp, NZ Trotting FFA, first Australasian winner in North America, NZ Hall of Fame). He was dam sire of Logan Count(Dominion Hcp), Master Dean(NZFFA, five classic race mile wins). Logan Derby passed through a number of hands during his siring career - after Smith's death he went to Edgar Kennerley, then Tamahare owner RC Mason stood him for a number of years before being sold to George Youngson at Gore.

Pendant, was a winner in Tasmania including a heat of the 1939 IDs held at Elphin raceway, Launceston and grand dam of High Pendant(left four winners), sire of 16 winners including Sally Alla, Australian Broodmare of Year in 1987 & 1988. She was dam of Rowleyalla($½m, NSW Breeders Plate-2, HSW SS-3, Qld/NSW Derby, Qld Winter Cup, Aust 2YO mile record 1:55.0TT, Aust Mile record 1:52.6TT) and Grand Thor(ID heat). Jean Logan, won the Tasmanian Easter Cup but did not breed on.

Dillon Logan, recorded 11 wins(seven as a four-year-old) in NZ including Hawera/ Dunedin Cups and Oamaru Hcp. Lone Raider(Raider) whose nine wins included the CPTC Winter Cup. Van Logan (Van Derby), a winner in Australia was exported to NZ(1947) to stand at stud being a minor sire leaving 15 winners(four Aust). Other minor winners in Australia included Beaudesert, Speedy Logan and Logan Globe(dam of two winners). Non winning mare Para Belle left 11 foals for three winners.

Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed Dec 2014

BONNY LOGAN

BONNY LOGAN(1919 Logan Pointer/Bonilene) USA family of Black Betty; 2:09.8; $14,514; 14 wins; nine live foals, eight winners. Breeders: F Holmes and W H Norton, Christchurch and breeders of all foals except Captain Morant, Bonny Bridge, Admiration, Bashful - Miss P Norton.

Bonny Logan's sire like Belle Logan was Logan Pointer, her dam Bonilene was also imported and the founding mare of a very successful family. From relatively obscure sire and broodmare sires, Bonilene's pedigree included infusions of leading American stallions: Baron Wilkes, Nutwood and Charles Derby, Steinway leading back to Hambletonian 10 through George Wilkes and Strathmore. The family of Black Betty faded out in North America but prospered in New Zealand through a number of her daughters(Bon Rey, Bonny Drusus, Bonny Norval, St Helena) led by Bonny Logan.

Notable descendants tracing back to Bonilene include her greatest performer in double millionaire and three time Australian Harness Horse of the Year/ Grand Circuit Pacing champion Westburn Grant(NZ/VIC/NSW Derbies, Golden Nugget, two Miracle Miles, Truer Memorial, QLD C/S, 2 SA Cups, Harold Park Cup, Aust Pacing C/S, Two WA Cups, ID Ht/Final), NZ Cup winners Adorian & Lookaway, top race mares Hyperstat(VSS-3f/4m) and Gina Rosa(NZ Oaks, Nevele R Fillies, NZ Breeders Stakes, dam of Allstar Blue Jean), Shattering Class($810k) plus fastest performers in Allstar Blue Jean(1:48.4US), Georgetown(1:50.0US) and Hillside Joe(1:52.0Aus).

Racing for 10 seasons from two till 11 years old, Bonny Logan was a very good class race mare. At two(1921/2), she won at New Brighton and was placed fourth in Sapling Stakes. Her three-year-old career included five victories(New Brighton, Alexandra Park, Addington, Forbury Park & Canterbury Park) and second placings in both NZ and GN Derbies(stakes of £1,608). Just the one solitary win as a four-year-old at Addington(Craven Hcp) and as a five-year-old in 1924/25 season in the New Brighton club's Telegraph Hcp. Bonny Logan's three six-year-old successes all came at Addington beginning with an early season feature, Lightning, Royal and Telegraph Hcps. Victories as a seven-year-old came in the High Class and Hagley Hcps, both at Addington. Bonny Logan's sole win as an eight-year-old was in the Henry Mace Memorial at Addington. She raced for a further three seasons(nine- to eleven-year-old) but recorded no further wins, just several placings before moving to the breeding paddock.

Bonny Logan's progeny included many top performers on the track and in the breeding barn. Admiration's deeds will be more fully reviewed in a future article where she is one of our classic-producing mares. She was a winner of Timaru Nursery as a two-year-old(three wins). Bashful(Grattan Loyal) was unraced but proved a prolific and successful breeder. Included amongst her progeny were Cup class performers:

1. Damian - AK Cup, ID heat and his full brother
2. Diamond Hanover - ID heat, Ashburton Flying Stakes
3. Guiseppe - GN Derby, ID heat; minor sire, dam sire of Rundale(SA Trotters Derby).
Note: Damian, Diamond Hanover, Guiseppe all started in 1961 ID Grand Final at Addington. (Bashful only mare to achieve this feat).
4. Torrent - Easter Cup, ID Consolation; dam of Amaze(NZ Derby), Elite Del(dam of Cavaliere Servente, Sossy - Hannon Memorial, Ch-Ch Airport Travelodge FFA), Our Flawless(descendants include Step Outside, NSWSS 3f), Prima Vance(grand-dam of Grenadier - Junior FFA), Nursemaid - (Southland Oaks), Surge(grand-dam of Misjudge-Sapling, Woodlea Life - Delightful Lady Classic - 2f) as well as Bashful Hanover, unraced sire of 88 winners in Australia including Run Joe Run(NSW/Qld/Aus Derbies), dam-sire of Executioner(NSWSS - 3c) and Shy Songster, winner and sire of 63 winners in Australia. Other progeny included Firth(unplaced in eight two to three-year-old starts) who bred on with descendants including One Way Traffic(NZ C/S-2); and Kai Tere, non winning mare whose descendants include Hashed World(several provincial Cups).

Another filly in Coquette(Grattan Loyal), a winner of eight races including National Cup Hcp, left the very good winners and sires in:

1. Adorian - from Springfield Globe's first crop, was the winner of 12 races including NZ Cup, National and Louisson Hcps, 2nd in NZFFA, sire of 50 winners and dam-sire of New Law(NZ Derby), Swift Princess(NZ Oaks).
2. Forward - leading juvenile pacer, winner of eight races including Welcome/Sapling Stakes; sire of 83 winners including Avante(Ashburton Cup), Bambi, Le Char, Max Brydon, Pancho Boy and dam-sire of Ascot Arrow(Rosso Antico Stakes), Bad Luck(Kaikoura Cup, Ashburton Flying Stakes), Cinimod Junior(TVNZ Mile), Precious Sally(GN Oaks), Watbro(Hannon Memorial).
3. Morano - winner of nine races including Timaru Nursery and Metropolitan Challenge Stakes; sire of 102 winners including Courtier(Welcome Stakes, Timaru Nursery), Diarac(Hannon Memorial, Ashburton Flying stakes), Have Care(NZ Oaks), Humphrey(NZ/Kaikoura Cups), Manaroa(Kaikoura Cup, six ID heats, 2nd ID G/F, Marius (BPTC/Ordeal Cups, Trotting C/S),Martinigue(Kaikoura Cup), Sam Carter(Sapling stakes), Semioh(Welcome Stakes) and dam-sire of Barbara Del(Welcome Stakes), Captain Harcourt(GN Derby, AK/Easter Cups,ID Consolation), Michele Bromac(Kaikoura Cup, Junior FFA), Micron(Kaikora Cup), Morano Magic(Golden Nugget, Palestine(two Hannon Memorials, Kaikoura Cup, ID Consolation, Matson FFA), Royal Lopez(Sapling Stakes), Saucy Star(ID Consolation), Shalimar(NZ Oaks, Tonton Macoute(Messenger).
4. Vigilant(gelding)- Welcome Stakes.

Safety Pin(Rey De Oro) was a winner eight times including the Armstrong Memorial at Trentham in 1944(Hutt Park was requisitioned by military during WWII: Sept 1942 - February 1946 meetings). She bred on leaving a number of winners including Secure(Otahuhu Cup, sire of Safe Return, Kaikoura Cup, ID Consolation) and was grand-dam of good trotter Forward March.

Captain Morant(Rey De Oro) proved a good youngster winning Sapling and Champion Stakes amongst five age group races as a two-, three- and four-year-old.

Bonny Logan also left a number of good sires in:

1. Bayard(Frank Worthy) - good winner of 11 races(placed2nd/4th AK Cup and 3rd NZ Cup) and sire exported to Australia in 1945, he stood mainly in SA but had his last season in NSW. He sired 57 winners, being dam-sire of Mercedes(good class Perth pacer), Simpsonic(VIC Sapling), Weezy Anna(SA Oaks)
2. Gaillard(Rey de Oro) - winner of five races and sire of 63(five Aust), dam-sire of Great Adios(NZ Cu/FFA, Easter Cup), Petite Yvonne(ID heat), Portree(WA Cup), Sibelia(Hunter Cup), Smoko(VIC Derby).
3. Bonny Bridge(Grattan Loyal) - winner of NZ Derby and two other races, sire of winners in Tasmania including Young Noddy(Tas Derby) and dam-sire of Wendy Dawn(NZ Oaks).

Prosecutor(Rey de Oro), a 2:50.0 pacer also won three races for his dam Bonny Logan.


Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed Dec 2014