Biraganbil

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1870

15 September 1870
JOTTINGS BY THE WAY.
MUDGEE. - (Concluded.)
FROM OUR TRAVELLING REPORTER.
Guntawang and Biraganbil are twin stations on an extensive scale, sixteen miles down the Cudgegong, and half a mile apart on opposite sides of the river. I preferred walking down the valley, and on arriving made a curious and amusing mistake as to the respective properties and their respective owners, both the gentlemen being named Richard, and the surname of both also being Rouse. I was invited to Biraganbil, but went to Guntawang without a shadow of doubt as to its being my destination. However, after sundry adventures, they both became highly interesting subjects to give (I am sorry to be compelled by pressure of time and matter to say) an abridged account.
Biraganbil (place of leeches) is picturesquely posted upon the eastern slope of a greenstone range that meets the river on the south side. It is a high, well drained, healthy spot, and often commands a breeze when the valley is smoking in heat.
Mr. George Rouse, sen., one of the most enterprising men in New South Wales, laid the foundation of a first-class establishment here, and Mr. Richard Rouse, his son, is well able to carry out his plans.
The house is a large two-storey brick building, with long wings but incomplete, the main front not having as yet been added.
Several very fine trees grace the immediate vicinity and a large garden, under Mr. Hassall's care, flourishes in the alluvial ground below, and a very useful lake formed accidently, stands close to the house, a watering place for the horses and an arena for aquatic birds.
In the rear, and at some little distance from the house, and of course from each other, are the wool shed, a flour mill, a boiling-down establishment, drafting yards, piggeries, stores, wheelwright's and blacksmith's shop, and houses of the employed.
The very neat plant for grinding the Mudgee district corn consists of one pair of stones, grinding seventy-five bushels a day, driven by a ten horse power portable engine by Hornby and Son, supplied with water by a large oblong brick tank; close by is a splendid chaff-house, for Mr. Rouse cuts all his own hay.
The boiling-down establishment is costly and complete, but idle. The work was done by steam, the boiler being eighteen horse-power with five coppers, and the piggeries and yards are well planned and substantially made.
The Biraganbil stud alone are worth a sixteen-mile walk to see. They run about three miles away, but Mr. Rouse sent for them, and in a short time they came rattling in. Newington, is a grey entire (8 years) out of an old Arab mare by old Sir Hercules, used by Mr. E. Blaxland at Newington. He ran second to Eclipse for the Mudgee Maiden Plate five years. Won the Homebush Maiden Plate in 1868; ran second for the Trial Stakes at the same meeting, and second for the Trial Stakes at Randwick the same year; won the Squatters' Stakes at the same meeting, and ran second to Glencoe for the Corinthian Cup, finally breaking down at Mudgee for the Maiden Plate. Punch is a powerful draught horse, acting like a father, and is taller than he looks, for his breadth and muscular development detract from his height.
The celebrated mountain team of eight giants of the Wiltshire cart-horse breed, next present themselves, with the falling rump and deep set tail, peculiar to that family. In striking contrast to their powerful forms, comes Flirt, a grey mare (5) by Newington out of Whitepatch, out of Black Diamond, out of Lady of the Lake. Flirt in 1868 won the Corinthian Cup at Randwick, and at the following Homebush carried off the Squatters' Stakes and Corinthian Cup, also the Cudgegong Handicap at Mudgee. Darling is a horse by Atlas, broad as a Hereford bull, and a model of equine power and beauty.
Frisky young candidates far future feme also passed in review, whose names will in future occupy more space than I can spare now. In wool, Mr. Rouse is very high up.
Crazy, is a bay mare, blazed and neatly fitted with a pair of white stockings; she is by Reprieve (imported) out of the late Mr. C. Smith's Crazy Jane. The foal is a little wonder of beauty about the head, and lurking power in the shoulder; it's little head, bright eye, black muzzle and arched neck, would make a beautiful photograph. Revenge is a yearling by Newington out of Crazy. Bronzewing is a b. m. aged, out of Langar Queen by Bronzewing. Toxophilite is one of Archer's foals, and Langar's No. 11 belongs to Jackie, out of Langar Queen, her Majesty being now in foal to West Australia (imported). Exchange is a grey filly by Newington, out of Langar's No. 11. Pretender is a big bay horse rising four by West Australian, out of Langar's No. 11. Mentor is a bay horse by West Australian, out of Crazy.
By the time we had done admiring and criticising the blood stock, lunched and draughted some fat cattle, a choice little flock of wool-bearers had been yarded.
Biraganbil like Havilah, is renowned for the quality of its wool, and it would be a nice eye and experienced hand that could discriminate and decide between them. The close, even, elastic texture of the German Merino is there, and the characteristic serrations in their zig-zag and wavy forms are there also. Perhaps the rising yolk has not been so much deranged by the unpropitious season; on the other hand, the hoggets here seem to have been in the water, and somewhat discoloured the belly fleece.
Mr. Rouse's stud flock consists of 550 ewes, and the rams in use are four, three of which belong to the imported Saxon ram No. 233. Two of the rams come from Havilah at a high figure (£100 and £50) and the handiwork of one of these is quite satisfactory.
The wool-shed is conveniently built on high and well-drained ground, and is a good, substantial building, 114 feet long, ex sweating shed and overseer's house. The shearing accommodation is for sixteen - eight on each side - the catch-pens being in the centre, and the exits by small slide doors in the galvanized iron walls. All gates and doors slide in top and bottom grooves; those of the centre aisle up and down, but all other to and fro, while special drafting is provided for ewes and lambs to avoid pinching and dragging them about. Mr. House classes all the wool himself.
The average weight of a fleece is two and a-half pounds, and the average price realized to date (but not all accounted) 29¼d. Mr. Rouse shears 33,000 sheep, using Holmes's press, and the Biraganbil brand is R. MUDGEE.
The wool-washing machinery is one of the most expensive and complete plants in the country. It stands on a broad, shingly bend of the Cudgegong, having a reservoir behind the river bank, supplied by a pump driven by a sixteen horse-power fine portable engine with reversing gear, by Robey, of Lincoln. The pumps are two; a ten inch barrel horizontal, throwing 2500 gallons a minute, and a sixteen inch vertical, not in use.
Three entrance gates admit sheep one by one from a divided pen to the passage leading to the soak tanks, a flap hanging at the bottom to check the rush of the sheep's descent into the tank which is of iron 17ft 8in long by 3ft 8in wide by 3ft 5in deep, and parted by an iron slide door, into two, for first and second soaks, the soapy contents being discharged, to the extent of two-thirds once a day, by discharge pipes and plugs on each side of the central slide door. A similar slide door rises at the opposite end of the tank, to allow the sheep to pass out and up an incline to a catch platform, battened and fenced, where a man stands to direct the sheep which of two shoots to pass down under the spouts, according as the washers require them.
The soak-tank is filled from a copper heated by a boiler close at hand and supplied with cold water by a pipe direct from the reservoir, regulating the temperature at 100 degrees, and mixing thirty pounds soft soap a day.
The washing tank is circular, in cement, and 24ft 2in in diameter, by 7ft. deep. Three horizontal and parallel 6in cast iron pipes convey water from the reservoir by four flat down-spouts on to the sheep below, where eight washers stand in circular iron tanks, two to each sheep. The exit is by a small tunnel in the side of the tank towards the river, whence the sheep cross the river by a temporary plankway on to the clean river shingle on the opposite bank to dry.1 .

1882

7 January 1882
Flocks and Herds of Mudgee.
A TRIP TO BIRAGANBIL.
By W. C. R.
The other day I wended my way westwards from what was called at one time the sequestered township of Mudgee, but now well known from its breed of merino sheep, and soon to be connected by rail with the city of Sydney. The formation of this great boon (though at one time a great bone of contention among our legislators) is now in full swing, and ere three years are over, bar accidents, the valley of the Cudgegong will ring with the welcome whistle and the reverberating rumble of the iron horse. Jogging along for an hour, a fair road with fences and well-grassed paddocks on either side brings me to Cullenbone, of old called Green Swamp. Why so called I cannot say, as I do not think that that mythical individual, the oldest inhabitant, ever saw a swamp there. On the right hand side of the road is seen the pretty residence of Mr. J. D. Cox, once a breeder of horses and Hereford cattle; but, thanks to the sheep mania, one now misses the pretty herd of white faces dotted over the cleared paddocks, a marvel of quality and condition; and this brings me to the question vexata of Hereford v. Durhams; and my experience is a long way in favour of the former, for, verily, they will thrive where the fashionable Shorthorn will barely exist. Why Queensland breeders will not use pure Hereford bulls in their herds, I cannot say, but such is the fact; although I have seen herds in which the pure Hereford, Durham, and Devon bulls were put in at different times equal in weight and quality to any exclusively Durham herd, far better travellers on the road, and though no doubt lively in a yard, I do not look upon that as a serious fault, but put it down to their greater activity and nervous temperament. But pardon my wandering pen, and to return to my subject. In place of the pure Hereford may now be seen the pure merino, camped in small lots under the shady eucalypti, safe from the heat of the noonday sun - not half so picturesque as the white faces, but I presume, in the mind of the proprietor, better paying. Passing the small wayside inn, store, and post-office combined, we now cross McDonald's Creek, and as we rise the slight hill down to our right we see the Cudgegong River, here a fine stream and bordered by splendid oaks, A couple of hundred yards and we pull up at the Junction Inn, where the roads for Gulgong and Guntawang diverge. We take the left hand road, and entering Beaudesert paddocks a beautiful drive along the bank of the river, a splendid reach of water (Kaludibah, vulgarised into Cloudy Bay), overhung by gigantic eucalypti on the one side, and on the other precipitous ringbarked hills, spotted with the pure white-faced Herefords, fat, sleek, and contented, looking as though enjoying the lovely view or the sweet grass - I cannot say which, but I go for the grass - we pass through another gate, and then any lover of stock can hardly keep going, but, unknowingly, lingers to admire the nursing mothers of the Hereford herd, evidently doing their duty thoroughly, if not pleasantly, as borne out by the splendid condition of their calves. To the front and right of us, coming straight down a pine ridge, is a very peculiar formation, a plainly defined road about a chain wide, all the rocks and stones packed to form sides, leaving the centre smooth and even. Another gate is passed, and then we reach Beaudesert House, the home of Mr. George Rouse, once the residence of Mr. Henry Bayly, and the birthplace of the equine celebrity, Jorrocks. More gates, and then we cross the Cudgegong by a ford, and entering a beautiful grassed paddock time becomes no object, as we leisurely drive along, passing our opinions on the blood and draught matrons browsing quietly. Finally we enter Biraganbil estate, and though only a mile or so from the homestead it takes us an hour, lingering now over the quality and symmetry of a blood mare and her offspring, and anon admiring the massive frame of a Clydesdale dame and her elephantine pledge. Past a noble hayshed, and through more gates, we reach Biraganbil, the residence of Mr. Richard Rouse, jun., and are pleasantly welcomed by the genial host. We consign our trap and horse to the careful groom, and accept the kind hospitality offered us, and so ends the day as far as you, my readers, are concerned. After a night's refreshing rest, and after doing ample justice to a substantial breakfast, we follow Mr. Rouse over his vast establishment - and once more to resume my pleasant task. "Biraganbil," a native name, is almost a village, the number of buildings including a steam flour-mill, woolshed, stables for carriage, saddle, and draught horses, loose boxes for racehorses, thoroughbred and draught stallions, men's huts, and offices of all descriptions. The constant stream of traffic makes it a busy place indeed; the buildings not too close, but wonderfully convenient. We first wend our way to the yards to the thoroughbred dams with their Wilberforce pledges, and a nice lot indeed they are, showing any amount of quality and power, as they should do - the quality from the New minster dam of their sire, the power through their grandsire Oxford. Difference of opinion was the order of the day as regards the merits of the babies. The dams are by Maribyrnong, Kingston, Teddington, Newington, Grand-master, Gemma di Vergy, and other sires; and to my mind the babies showing least quality, particularly in their heads, were out of two Kingston mares. Old Myrtle, the heroine of many a successfully hard fought battle, looked very mean, as well as her filly foal, on account of the old mare having a running fistula; Contessa, another Gemma, with a particularly neat foal, but rather small; Fair Nell, a big brown coarse-looking Newington mare (who upset a pot in the Mudgee Turf Club Handicap in the wet winter), with a big strong brown filly. However, to describe them individually would no doubt take too much of your space and weary your readers. Still a few words about one, and I think the gem of the lot - a real brown colt, tan muzzle and flanks, showing grand quality and symmetry; and why shouldn't he, being by Wilberforce, and his dam being by the handsome Tedding ton out of Miss Middlesex, the dam of that neat and gentlemanly Beadsman? The racehorses having come in from exercise, thither are our pleasant steps bent, and greeting Swan, under whose careful supervision Waxy (the high priced 'un) made his debut in the (mysterious to me) Hawkesbury Grand, we first interviewed Mavourneen, by Grandmaster, a neat, light, or yellow bay mare, 4 years, standing about 15.2, real quality, head and neck nicely placed on grand shoulders, good girth, light in her loin and shallow in her back ribs, wide ragged hips, good thighs, legs, and feet. Sefton, by Grandmaster out of Azalea, by Lord of Linne, is a wiry looking powerful dark chestnut gelding, 4 years, about 15.3, ought to make a stick jumper if not good enough on the flat. Caractacus, 2 years, by Grandmaster out of Myrtle, is a bright bay, blaze, and two hind feet white - a beautiful docile looking and intelligent head, well set on to a short neck, rather upright and heavy shoulders, but such a middle piece, loin, back ribs, quarters, and thighs, a splendid set of legs. If propelling power be the desideratum, then he will be a nonpareil. Sting, by Grandmaster, out of Queen Bee, the dam of the sensational-priced Waxy, my pen hesitates to describe; long and low, barely 15.1, quality and quantity beautifully blended, a rich chestnut, white reach in face, game intelligent head well set into a beautiful neck, grand shoulders, great girth, well barrelled ribs, good loin and quarters superb, a rare set of legs and feet, a beautiful goer a rare constitution, and as handsome as the legendary Arab - and no overdrawn picture is this description. Thanking Swan for his courtesy, we bid adieu to the Sheeted String, and a hundred yards brings up to house and grounds presided over by Wilberforce (imported), by Oxford, sire of Sterling and Chandos, &c, out of Corsica by Newminster, a bronze chestnut, white reach in face and near hind foot white, standing 16.2, good intelligent masculine head, well set into a lengthy and deep neck, shoulders long and muscular, grand loin and quarter, well let down thighs, plenty of bone, and good feet. Wilberforce's career on the turf was short, but fairly successful; as a three-year-old he won the Welter Cup at West Drayton, the Clearwell Welter Handicap, the Stand Plate at Nottingham, the Rutland Plate at Northampton, and the March Stakes at Goodwood, and three others; as a four-year-old he had six wins to his credit, including two handicaps at New market. Of the few youngsters left in England by Wilberforce out of thoroughbred mares (his services having been mostly confined to half-breds), are nearly all winners, and I have just received the performances of Donna Christine, foaled in 1878, by Wilberforce out of Twelfth Cake. Her performances on the Continent during 1880 are as follows:-
Performances of Donna Christine, chestnut filly foaled 1878, by Wilberforce out of Twelfth Cake, bred by Mr. Porter, Alfriston, Sussex: -
1880: At Odenburg, won committee prize, £123, T.Y.O.C., 7 ran; at Budapest, won Nursery Handicap, £65, T.Y.O.C., 6 ran; 1881: At Vienna Spring, won handicap, £89 15s, T.Y.O.C., 5 ran; at Vienna Spring, won Roundeau prize, £92 10s, T.Y.O.C., 5 ran; at Presberg, Eugareur Prize, £106 17s, 1¼ mile, 4 ran; at Vienna Summer won Opening Race, £117 10s, 1 mile, 5 ran: at Vienna Summer, second Trial Stakes, 2nd. £27, 1¼ mile, 6 ran; at Vienna won Handicap, £115, T.Y.O.C., 7 ran; at Vienna Summer, won Government Prize, £373, 1¼ mile, 4 ran; at Hamburg, won Gold Cup and £147, T.Y.O.C., 5 ran; at Budapest, won Lottery Prize, £121, 1 mile, 7 ran.
Whiling away the time with much interesting conversation re running blood and nicks in breeding, and then comes the welcome whistle from the mill, and the answering bell brings us back to our own noble selves, and our kind host says dinner.
Under the charge of Mr. George Rouse we next visit his especial pride, the draught stock. We are first introduced to a chestnut stallion, imported from Tasmania, not by any means a large horse, about 16 hands, a whole liver coloured chestnut, wonderfully muscular, and as active as the proverbial kitten, and to my mind the beau ideal of a stud horse for useful stock, muscle, symmetry, and courage, a staunch game worker himself. This horse is for sale after the present season. Now I find my friend's murmuring expectations as a box door is thrown open and displays the elephantine form of Royal Prince, now 9 years old, imported by Mr. Rouse at a great cost, and comprising all the best and most fashionable blood of the Scottish Clydesdale, a prize winner in Scotland, Sydney, and Mudgee, descended from a long line of champions. Such is Royal Prince, a rich dappled brown, standing over 17 hands; doesn't look 16 till you stand up to him; a good-tempered expressive head, small well-placed ears, a grand neck and crest, splendid shoulders, rare bosom and barrel, deep round back, ribs, grand loin and quarters; if he has a fault it is in his quarter, which is a trifle short. He stands on a magnificent set of legs and feet, great bone and sinews clean and hard, and lots of hair. Taking him altogether, a real type of the pure Scotch Clydesdale; and if like begets like, then, indeed, Mr. Rouse will reap the fruits of his judicious importation. Accompanied on our road homewards by Mr. George Rouse, we spent a pleasant hour among the draught mares, with their Royal Prince and chestnut pledges. The chestnuts are good stock, but, then, as my friend remarked, "They ain't Princes." Among the foals, a brown filly, by Royal Prince, I can best describe as a Baby Prince, a real plum, and so she ought to be, as her mother beat Royal Prince on the Mudgee Show Ground. No doubt a good mare, but judges are not infallible. A bay filly foal runs her close. These are the plums in my opinion; but I saw 20 real good ones, no doubt about the Royal Prince stamp on them. Everything comes to an end, and so did the mares with foals, and last, but not least, were four three-year old fillies, Royal Princes, which Mr. Rouse is crossing with him again, and I shall be curious to see how the cross hits. Through the paddocks and we came across one of the Hereford bulls now doing duty at the stud, a very nice beast indeed, long, thick, and low, showing great quality, a rare doer, and I should say a good handler. If I remember right he has three direct crosses of Defiance (imp.), and it may be that the success in the bovine inbreeding has induced Mr. Rouse to try it with the draught stock. Through the numerous gates and once more across the ford, we stop to admire some Hereford dames, and another bull with a strain of the celebrated Oxford herd in him, or two crosses of Defiance, very neat and better behind the shoulder than the other bull, but not so massive nor so good a flank or twist as the first, nor yet such fine bone, and, to my opinion, rather effeminate about the head. The lengthening shadows and the sinking sun reminds us that we have some 12 miles to drive, so, bidding Mr. Rouse a kind farewell, we make tracks, and an hour and a-half's drive lands us safe and sound once more in Mudgee2 .

1897

31 July 1897
A Roman holiday, indeed S.M. Herald wire:-
A wallaby drive took place today at Mr. R. Rouse’s Biraganbil estate. Eighty ladies and gentlemen attended. 307 kangaroos and wallabies were killed. Mr. Thomas West, of Guntawang, was the highest scorer with 21. A pure-bred English fox was killed. A boy named Phillips was shot in the ankle with a full charge of shot, and Mr. Stanley Rouse’s horse was shot in the side. Mrs. Rouse provided a splendid luncheon3 .

1899

3 February 1899
Biraganbil Stud Notes.
The Biraganbil stud farm is one of the most noted in this colony, and Mr. R. Rouse, jun., the owner may justly be entitled the "Prince of Breeders." To day, as of yore, the character and clean breeding of the stock raised there remains untarnished, and may it ever be so. A visitor was out there the other day, and though his time, was limited he had an opportunity of inspecting some very choice and aristocratic types of horse flesh, including those two grand stallions, Corinth and Impetus, both of whom, in the matter of docility and condition (such grand condition too, and at the end of the season!) were all that the eye could wish for. The handling of blood stock is an art in itself, and is mainly the secret of success. The evergreen "Ted" Gray, who has been with Mr. Rouse for many years, maintains his reputation in this respect, and under his practised hand, the beautiful youngsters are turned out models of quietness. The paddocks at the present bear evidence of the splendid season, and the horses simply luxuriate in the rich grasses which grow there. A beautiful and refreshing view - a stretch of verdancy as far as the eye can reach, while the pure and invigorating air inhaled by man and beast is delightful.
The first to claim attention was a symmetrically-formed dark bay colt (a full brother to Reviver), by Clan Stuart, from Melissa. This colt is unbroken, and Ted Gray is at present feeding him with a view to handling.
Another speedy-looking gentleman is a bay colt, by Cheviot out of Silence, a type of horseflesh that should commend itself to horsey men in search of the "pure, and unadulterated article." When such horses as those are to be obtained at an easy figure, it seems nothing less than a scandal on horse-breeding to see so many "crocks" figuring at times at different meetings we have attended. The man who goes in for a "crock" is sure to go "broke." (This is a Chinese "goak.")
A beautiful filly our friend gazed longingly at was a chestnut) by Clan Stuart from Mavourneen, and consequently a half sister to Shaughraun, who the other day had to be destroyed through sustaining a broken leg in the race for the Anniversary Handicap. This filly is well-grown, and should later on make a rattling good amateur candidate.
Another nice taking filly is that by Clan Stuart from Blue and Cerice, by Marvellous from old Myrtle. There's breeding for you, and on this point she lacks nothing.
A very promising gelding by Clan Stuart from Zoe, is a great powerful fellow standing nearly 16 hands high. We understand this horse has been sold.
A five-year-old brown filly, by Niagara or Kitawa from Blue and Cerise, was observed in the paddock. She is only a pony, and her conformation simply perfect. She is as pretty as a picture, and should be "hot goods" among the little 'uns, and we are certain if any of our "pony men" clapped eyes on this prepossessing young lady, she would be snapped up instanter.
There is a very taking colt by the flying Marvel, which Mr. L. G. Rouse is taking special interest in, and it is quite on the cards that the colt will sport the colors of Gulgong's popular solicitor in time to come.
A three-year old filly, a chestnut, by Clan Stuart from Gertrude, by First King, is another splendid animal worthy of special mention as being faultless to the eye. She, too, will very likely be heard of among the amateurs. After her racing days are over, it is intended to keep her for breeding purposes. Her breeding is perfect enough for anything.
An unbroken brown colt, 2 yrs, by Clan Stuart from Gertie, by Monmouth from Gertrude, was very much admired as a typical thoroughbred.
The brood mares and foals at this farm all look well and healthy, and bear unmistakable evidence of the great care and attention bestowed on them.
The other day Mr. Donohue, of the Merri Merri, purchased from Mr. Rouse a grey colt, by Myles-na-Coppaleen from Nina, described as a slashing big horse, with plenty of power. We believe the price paid was satisfactory.
There is also a colt under offer to Mr. W. Moore, of Coonamble, who owned Moth. The colt in question is by Cheviot, and a full brother to Moth, and maybe this is the reason Mr. Moore hankers after him.
Mr. Tom Donnolly, one of our well known pencillers, is nearly certain to secure the Clan Stuart - Zoe colt referred to above. If the sale comes off, we wish Tom every success, and some of these fine days we hope to chronicle the winning of an important event by this nice colt4 .

21July 1899
At Biraganbil.
Among the Thoroughbreds.
(By "Thorntopper.")
A visit to the premier stud of the Western district, and there is no doubt that stud is Biraganbil; seems to have a fascination for sporting men from all centres, whether their mission is one of gazing at the beautiful thoroughbreds for pleasure's sake, or the more serious task of buying. It is unnecessary to state that the success of this stud lies mainly in the careful selection of the best blood, and to Mr. R. Rouse, jun., now a famous breeder, the honor of turning out rare and serviceable thoroughbreds year by year is due. Mr. Rouse is a man who understands his business thoroughly, and in the matter of horses, there is no one more capable to put a valuation on them. There must be no "haggling" once Mr. Rouse has named his price. Messrs. W. Waterford, J. Nagle, and T. Donoghue (of Braeburn fame), accompanied by Mr. Fallon, the well known traveller, and a regular horsey enthusiast, took a run down to Biraganbil one day last week, Mr. Nagle's object was to purchase something pretty choice, and a filly was ultimately selected. Her breeding is most aristocratic, and when it is seen she is bred on the same lines as Survivor and Reviver, two horses which have already made a name for themselves on the Australian turf, the selection must be considered a wise and admirable one. Here is her breeding for you Chestnut filly, by Clan Stuart (imp) out of Moya (own sister to Melissa, dam of Survivor and Reviver, &c). Moya is by Marvellous (imp.) out of Mavourneen (dam of Eily O'Connor, Shamrock, Dan O'Connor, Sligo, Savourneen, Shaughraun, &c) Mavourneen is by Grandmaster (imp.) out of Colleen Bawn (dam of Myles-na-Coppaleen, &c.), by Kingston (imp.) out of Dora, by Ivanhoe out of Cressida, by Maonidis (imp.) out of Gulnare (imp.). The price paid for this fashionably-bred young lady was 35 guineas, and putting two and two together, it appears that the purchaser has made a good investment, and later on, we expect to hear good things of this filly, who is now under the care of trainer Donoghue. The party had a stroll through the paddocks, which are already assuming the vernal tints of Spring, to have a look at some of the beautiful thoroughbreds to be seen there. A brown colt, 2 yrs, by Clan Stuart out of Gertie, by Monmouth out of Gertrude (dam of Belgiorno), was much admired. He is a fine big racy-looking gentleman, showing a lot of quality. Ted Gray, stud groom at Mr. Rouse's, has just broken in this colt. Another very shapely two-year-old filly by Clan Stuart out of Regina, came in for a lot of favorable criticism by the party, for she is certainly prepossessing to the eye, and we understand that Mr. Rouse intends retaining her himself. The next seen was the colt foal out of Mademoiselle, a mare which Mr. Rouse had the misfortune to lose recently. The youngster has been reared by hand, and so perfect is his appearance that the slightest suspicion of "poddiness" vanished on inspection. He is a thorough little gentleman every inch of him, and shows great quality. The youngster will be also kept by Mr. Rouse as a stallion. Another nice racy-looking filly by Myles-na-Coppaleen out of Cigarette was next inspected. She is broken in. A fine chestnut gelding seen was that by Chesham out of Lady, by Wilbeforce. He is broken in, and a bargain. All the stock look well for the season of the year. The brood mares look in good condition, also the foals. As the party walked into the paddock, an old friend in Savourneen (a heroine of the turf) walked quietly up, and allowed one of the gentleman to stroke her on the neck. She is the "pet" of the matrons. Eily O'Connor has a beautiful colt foal at foot by Lochiel. Other brood mares seen were Phizgig (Jack o' Lantern's dam), Gertrude, and Roselite's dam. Old Mavourneen, who had her leg broken some time ago (it is now well again) is in a lucerne paddock on her own, being in foal, and as Mr. Rouse is desirous of seeing the youngster come safely to light, he made this provision for the mare's safety, as she is now 22 years old. But she looks tip-top. The stallions look in grand condition, too, and are as quiet as kittens. The party were afterwards invited to take refreshments. The Squire of Biraganbil showed the visitors over the stud, and proved a very valuable escort and entertainer5 .

15 September 1899
The Cursed Fox.
It is two years now since the pioneer fox of the Mudgee district was shot by Mr. C. Paine at the wallaby drive at Biraganbil. Has anyone seen the tracks of any more of these undesirable visitors? We notice that in some districts they are largely on the increase. From Corowa we hear that a contractor living eight miles from the town brought in eight skins, and a few days previously a vigneron killed three foxes about a mile from the town6 .

3 November 1899
Improvements at Biraganbil.
Mr. Adam Spies has just completed the erection of a 10 h.p. Tangye boiler and 8 h.p. engine for Mr. R. Rouse, jun., of Biraganbil. The boiler is of the vertical cross steel tube type, and is fitted with all the latest improved injectors, &c. The engine is high speed horizontal, elevated on a cement concrete foundation and connected with the main shafs which works chaff-cutter, circular saw, corn cracker, flour mill and cleaning machines. Mr. Spies purchased the machinery when recently in Sydney, and before he left Biragan bil, a completely successful trial took place, everything working with the utmost smoothness and to the entire satisfaction of Mr. Rouse7 .

1900

13 December 1900
Auction Sale at Biraganbil.
In this issue, Mr. C. E. Hilton, of Gulgong, announces an extensive auction at Biraganbil in accordance with instructions from the executors in the estate of the late George Rouse. It will be an all day sale, a luncheon is to be provided. Read the advt8 .

1902

5 June 1902
A Day at Biraganbil
By Milroy.
For fully 80 years the Rouse family has been closely identified with the production of horses of high class, whether they be bloods, coaches, saddle hacks, or cart horses. In the production of good sheep and cattle they have also done excellent work on the Hawkesbury, Cudgegong, and the Thompson. In 1819 Mr. Edwin Rouse, the founder of the Rouse family in Australia, took up a big tract of country on both sides of the Cudgegong River, about 17 miles below where the town of Mudgee now stands, and there he formed the famous Guntawang station, and sent his sons to manage it. The river flats hereabouts are very rich. When the first settlers arrived the Guntawang and Biraganbil river flats were very heavily timbered with gigantic gums, and the grass grew so luxuriantly that it was an easy matter to tie the standing stalks over a horse's wither. In 1861 the purchased parts of the station were divided, one member of the family taking Guntawang half and the other the opposite half, now called Biraganbil, where Mr. Richard Rouse, jun., reigns, while his cousin Richard owns Guntawang. In the early days squatting was not as pleasant nor as payable an occupation in the Mudgee district as it since has been, as there was no market for stock. Before the goldfields broke out all around Mud. gee, 30s was a very good price for a very prime bullock, and all that could be done with surplus sheep was to boil them down for the tallow. With the diggers came a change in the early seventies, and the Cudgegong men, who had fought an uphill fight for so long, then prospered.
In the "sixties" it was anything but an uncommon sight to see hundreds of shapely, well-grown horses sold in the Mudgee saleyards at less than £1 a head, and when there was a glut in horseflesh the auctioneers, to save time, would sell them at so much a yardful, and often enough a yard containing 20 unbroken five and six year olds went for "a fiver," or less. Horses and cattle were raised in large numbers then in the Mudgee district, and when they reached a couple of years old many breeders sent them off to the rich plains of the Castlereagh or the Barwon to graze and grow. They generally returned at from six to eight years old for sale. Small wonder that the old settlers had good horses to ride, as a horse in those days seldom felt the breaker's tackle till it was 6 years old. The famous Jorrocks was bred by Mr. Henry Bayly at Beaudesert, which is three miles above Biraganbil. He was not broken in till he was four years old, and being a thoroughbred, was taken great care of. In some histories of Jorrocks it is said that he was a stock horse. This, Mr. Rouse informs me, is not correct. He was certainly sent to the Barwon with a draft of stock, but was not used as a stockhorse. He was ridden about as a pleasure hack by Mr. Bayly. When he returned to Beaudesert Mr. Richard Rouse, uncle of the present proprietor of Biraganbil, gave Mr. Bailey eight heifers for the horse - not a big price to pay when the value of the cattle is considered. Mr. Rouse sent Jorrocks to Sydney to be trained by a well-known horse-coper in those days, who seems to have been known by no other title than "old Brown." An oil-painting of Jorrocks, with this "exile" (old Brown) in the saddle, is hung in the Biraganbil dining-room. The quality of the painting is excellent, and it is said that old Brown, in his shirt sleeves and "belcher" handkerchief, is hit off to the very life, but the picture of the horse is all wrong. The painter made him a short-bodied bay horse, with a neck like a swan, whereas Jorrocks was a low, long, powerful fellow, with a well-bred, clean-cut head and neck, and stood over a lot of ground. Returning to Mudgee, Mr. Rouse drove me through Beaudesert, and I again saw the old orchard, in which it is said Jorrocks was foaled, and in the garden alongside the house the remains of the tomb where the original Bayly sleeps his long sleep are still visible from the road. During a visit to England Mr. Bayly was presented with a colt and a filly, which he brought to Australia. The colt was Whisker, afterwards a famous stallion, and the filly was Lady Emily, to whom so many good racehorses and brood mares trace.
I have heard it stated that Jorrocks came from Bayly's imported mare, Lady Emily was the only mare that Mr. Bailey imported, and she came out in 1829 as a yearling. This has been contradicted, but there are men alive who still declare that Jorrocks was a descendant of Lady Emily (imp.) The owner of Jorrocks, Mr. Richard Rouse, was a firm believer in the thoroughbred, and would race none but thoroughbreds. Anything of impure descent he would thoroughly deride, and dub them "squibs" and "cocktails." Though the most valuable parts of a common bush horse in his day were the hoofs and hide, he gave £1000 for the English stallion, Langar, and £500 for St. John (imp.) - two stallions who figure in the old Rouse pedigrees. St. John was a most valuable horse, who died at "honest" John Tait's roadside public house at Hartley while on a journey to Sydney. When the present proprietor of Biraganbil was a schoolboy at Windsor, his uncle gave him a thoroughbred pony for a hack. On this pony young Richard won no end of matches for small sums, and acquired the art of race-riding that stood him in such good stead as an amateur jockey in the days of his early manhood. In nearly every room of Biraganbil house one happens upon some interesting trophy of the racecourse, won by Mr. Rouse. Bracelets there are "too numerous to mention," and in every corner of the pretty sitting room stands a racing cup. Mr. Rouse began racing in 1864 at Cobbora. In 1868 he won a handsome cup at Randwick on Flirt, the grand dam of that cast-iron old grey Richmond Gem, a son of Grandmaster, who carried off most of the good things for years in far North-western Queensland, and when he became too old for flat racing he was put to the jumping business, and took to timber as a duck does to water. When the late Mr. J. S. Smith sat in the Legislative Assembly for Wellington it was his custom to give a cup to be run for at the annual races, and twice the trophy came to Biraganbil, and the once coveted Gobolion Cup, yearly presented by Mr. Gardiner, of Gobolion, was won twice by Mr. Rouse by the aid of Beadsman and Adonis. The latter was a good stayer, by Kingston from Young Crazy Jane, by Reprieve (imp.) from Crazy Jane, a descendant of Spaewife (imp.), whose blood the late Noah Beal always swore by.
During Noah Beal's term of office as trainer at Biraganbil, when Harry Raynor trained the Guntawang horses across the river, many good horses went through his hands, the best being perhaps Beadsman, a very shapely horse, who did wonderfully well for the Biraganbil stripes before he was sold to a Queensland racing man, who raced him until every leg went in its turn, and when I saw the game old fellow last he had four legs like barbers' poles from the effects of bush firings; he was running in hack races at Windorah, away down the Cooper. Prior to winning the treble at Mudgee, Beadsman ran two miles on Biraganbil track in 3 minutes 36 seconds with his shoes on. Needless to say, the Sydney bookmakers who followed the Sydney horses up to Mudgee that year suffered severely at the hands of Mr. Rouse and his friends. When Noah Beal left Biraganbil, Jimmy Swan took his place and trained many winners for the colors. The best he had was Sting, a golden chestnut son of Grandmaster, who did a turn at Biraganbil. Sting was bred at Cooyal by the late Mr. Sam Black man, and was purchased as a colt by Mr. Rouse, for whom he won the Hawkesbury Grand Handicap and a couple of w.f.a. races at Randwick before he was sold to the late "Teddy" Weekes, of Indian fame, for 1600 guineas. Waxy was another high-priced one that carried the Biraganbil banner. He ran well at the A.J.C. Spring Meeting, and being well in the Melbourne Cup, he was fancied for that event. The wife of a prominent sportsman who held a record for dreaming the winner of the Melbourne Cup, dreamt Waxy won, and when the horse went up for sale after the A.J.C. races, the husband of the lady dreamer sent an unlimited commission from Melbourne to buy the horse, and had to pay 2100 guineas for him. This was about five times more than he expected to pay. Waxy ran badly afterwards, and was never worth more than the odd shillings in the guineas he brought. In fact, he could have been bought for £50 a few months before he came to Sydney. Since the days of Sting Mr. Rouse has not patronised Randwick to any extent, and has now given up racing altogether, having handed his colours over to his two sons. Since he gave up training at Biraganbil, and active participation in the game, Mr. Rouse has bred Marvel, Blarney Stone, Bung Bung, Donizetta, Little Bernie, Mackay, Aristocrat, Eily O'Connor, Reviver, Lochaber, Myles na-coppaleen, Richmond Gem, Cerise and Blue, Shamrock, Dan O'Connor, Sligo, Tom, Sefton, Crazy Jane, Eileen, and a host of others. The forbears of the horses and their relatives now in the stud must keep for next week, for space, like the grass, is dreadfully scarce9 .

1903

19 March 1903
Biraganbil Stud Sheep.
Last year we reported the sale of a number of rams from Mr. R. Rouse's, jun., Biraganbil stud to Mr. Andrew Cunningham, of Winderradea station, in the northern district. We have seen a letter from Mr. Cunningham giving the particulars of the shearing of these sheep in the middle of November. Seventy-nine rams gave 3 bales of fleece of a nett weight of 1336 lbs., which gives an average of 14 lb. 6 oz. of fleece wool per head; add to this the bellies and stained pieces, which averaged 1 lb. 14 oz., and we get the highly satisfactory yield of 16 lb. 4 oz. per head. Eleven rams, the horn numbers of which Mr. Cunningham supplies, gave 261 lbs. of wool, the fleeces weighing from 21 lbs. to 25 lbs. Mr. Cunningham says that there was a distinct break in the wool, which fetched the satisfactory price of 9½d per lb., giving a cash return of 10s 6d per head. Mr. Cunningham is naturally most pleased with these figures, and speaks most highly of the sheep10 .

24 September 1903
The Biraganbil Stud.
Mr. R. Rouse's, jun., Biraganbil stud has a very strong supporter in Mr. Fred. Fahey, of Hillgrove, Burrawa. In 1901 Mr. Fahey bought from Biraganbil a three-year-old ram and the other day he wrote to Mr. Rouse: - My ram "Mudgee" is getting old, but I exhibited him three times this year at the shows about here, and on each occasion he was awarded champion prize. I consider him the best purchase I ever made, and I would not sell him for 50gns., old as he is. "Mudgee" is evidently a worthy representative of the famous stud from which he was purchased11 .

1905

29 March 1905
ROUND ABOUT THE CUDGEGONG.
BY MILROY.
BIRAGANBIL.
Biraganbil, the home of Mr. Richard Rouse, is situated on the left bank of the Cudgegong, about 18 miles below Mudgee, and is nearly opposite the equally celebrated Guntawang Estate, another Rouse property, which was taken up in the early days of colonisation by a member of the family. The fact that Guntawang and Biraganbil were each at one time owned and occupied by a Richard Rouse, was the cause, I believe, of no end of confusion, but the owner of Biraganbil until the death of his cousin Richard, of Guntawang, which occurred last year, added a junior to his name, as a mark of identification, and as "Richard Rouse, jun.," he is known throughout Australia, as a successful breeder of thoroughbreds, as well as of famous saddle horses, and high-grade merino sheep. As the breeder of Marvel, Donizetti, Cerise and Blue, Little Bernie, Aristocrat, Mackay, Survivor, Reviver, Shamrock, Dan O'Connor, Eily O'Connor, Euston, Myles-na-Coppaleen, Longford, Biraganbil, and scores of other winners, Mr. Rouse is entitled to the enviable place he holds among breeders of racehorses. In Queensland his famous "crooked R" brand used to be most popular, and with good reason, for seldom did a far-western meeting, 20 to 25 years ago, pass without "a crooked R" winning. About a quarter century back Mr. Rouse was interested in a cattle station on the Thompson waters, somewhere, I believe, on the line between that river and Hughenden. To this ranch he sent a number of "crooked R" horses away back, over 20 years ago. They were mostly by Grandmaster out of Biragan bil mares, of different grades of excellence, but not from the best class of mare, or what is generally regarded as thoroughbred. Many of these horses were sold at good prices to the far-western men, who knew a good horse when they saw one, and were willing to pay for them. Those that were raced quickly popularised the brand, and such good ones as Crazy Jane, Richmond Gem, Nigger, Sefton, and Tom, whom I well remember as splendid stamps, with deep fronts, and magnificent shoulders, and whom neither tropical heat, flintlike tracks, nor back-block trainers could knock out, were purchased at Biraganbil for the far-off Flinders and Diamentina.
AN OLD-TIME FLINDERS CHAMPION.
Richmond Gem was a fine cut of a grey horse, as tough as ironbark, and as game as a fox-terrier. Crazy Jane was a slashing big bay mare, with shoulders enough for two horses. She was the property of Mr. C. N. Armytage, a Victorian, who then lived at Afton Downs, near Hughenden. After "old Jane's" racing days were over, she produced a number of winners to the Derby winner Woodlands, who ended his days out there. Reverting again to Richmond Gem, I doubt if I ever knew a gamer or hardier horse. He raced everywhere between Cloncurry and Townsville, a big scope of semi-tropical country, and was never sick nor sorry except once, when he fell into a digger's hole, and sustained injuries that laid him up for some weeks. Richmond Gem and Crazy Jane were nearly brother and sister: they ran back to a short-pedigreed mare named Lady of the Lake, by Bay Carnerton, and each had a double cross of St. John (imp.), for whom one of the Rouses paid the extraordinary sum of 1000 guineas many years ago, when horses, and good horses too, could have been bought in the Mudgee market like bullocks at so much per yardful, as old hands may still remember. A good pen of, say, a dozen horses would sometimes fetch £5 or £10, but the Rouse who bought St. John was an enthusiast and a famous judge of horse flesh; he wanted the horse, and he did not press the multiplication table into service to find out his worth as a spec. In respect to St. John, his judgment was always commended by the late Noah Beal, whom I have often heard extol to the skies the quality of this fine son of St. Nicholas, who came to Australia when a two-year-old. in 1836, but except in Rouse pedigrees he is not often met with now, which, doubtless, was due to the fact of his best days having been spent at Guntawang, where thoroughbred mares were scarce - in fact, there were very few in the country at the time. About the best race Richmond Gem won was the well-endowed Millchester Handicap at Charters Towers, in which he was started to make a hot pace for his stable companion, Minorah, a Sydney horse, imported to the north at high cost. Jockeys were scarce around those parts just then, and Richmond Gem was ridden by a member of a travelling theatrical company, who had had some experience in a racing stable before he forsook the saddle for the song and dance business. Carrying out his instructions, Richmond Gem's jockey went to the front with a vengeance, and won all the way, beating his stable companion, who was a strong favourite, by a neck, much to the disgust of backers, and the delight of the books. The last I heard of Richmond Gem was in the heat wave year, 1896, when, though 17 years old, he was battling for his living over hurdles, fences, and on the flat.
ROUSE REMINISCENCES.
Mr. Richard (Biraganbil) Rouse, who was a top-notch gentleman jockey in his salad days, was always a front rank sportsman, and a straight goer. It is some years since he raced, having long since resigned his colours to his sons, one of whom, Leslie, won Tattersall's Cup with Long Tom, a little over a year ago. Since his appointment to an A.J.C. official position, Mr. Leslie Rouse retired from the game. His brother Herbert still races on a small scale, but there was a time when the Biraganbil banner was a power in the racing world. The late Noah Beal trained many good horses for Mr. Rouse, and subsequently James Swan had charge of the Biraganbil team, the members of which won many good races on the western circuit as well as at Randwick, for, when Mr. Rouse kept racehorses, country racing was worthy of the name, and Mudgee, Bathurst, Dubbo, and Orange meetings were big fixtures that were always attended by metropolitan owners and racegoers. Mr. Rouse was never much of a betting man, but he tells a good story of how he was once inveigled in to winning a fairly large stake on Beadsman at Mudgee, from a number of book-makers, who got his "dander" up, by throwing off disparaging remarks about his horse. In those days the Mudgee meeting used to extend over three days, with a big, well-endowed handicap, run on each day. The Sydney bookmakers thought they had something - it was, I think, Priam or Viva - uncommonly good up their sleeves, but Beadsman won the treble, and Mr. Rouse a big stake. Beadsman was a bold advertisement for the Rouse brand and the country he was reared on. After leaving Mudgee he raced for years in Central Queensland. The first and last time I saw him was in 1884, at Windorah, on Cooper's Creek, competing in hack races, on legs that had long since lost every vestige of their original design, and he was branded from knee to fetlock, and from the hock doAvn, with some clumsy village blacksmith's "firing" iron, probably, a piece of bullock dray tire, which left broad sears an inch wide. Despite his years and manifold infirmities, the old horse won in his turn, and not in poor company either, for there was seldom a hack race run in that part without one or two "hot members" being "rung in" for betting purposes. Waxy, by Gemina-di-Vergy; Sting, by Grandmaster, and Wing, by Grandmaster, all sons of the New Warrior mare Queen Bee, brought plenty of grist to the Biraganbil mill, though they were not bred there. They were raised by the late Mr. Sam Blackman, at Cooyal, near Mudgee, and ran back through Industry, by St. John - Crazy Jane, by Rous Emigrant, and Stella, by Peter Fin, to Spaewife (imp.).
PROFITABLE HORSES.
Waxy was well tried at Biraganbil, and at some country meetings, before he was brought to Sydney for the Metropolitan of 1881, but in this race he had to knock under to that good son of Yattendon, Hesperian. After the meeting Waxy was sent to auction, and a Victorian lady, who was a first-class performer as a dreamer of winners, having seen Waxy win the Melbourne Cup in her slumbers, related her dream to the late Mr. Donald Wallace, who had great faith in the lady's power of foresight, and he outstayed everybody in the ring, and got Waxy for 2200 guineas, but this time the dreamist was wrong, for, instead of winning, Waxy fell and broke his neck in the Cup, which was won by the prince among outsiders, Zulu. Sting was, perhaps, the best horse Mr. Rouse ever owned. He was a beautiful silky-skinned, red chestnut, and a perfect gentleman in all his manners and actions. In 1852 he won the Hawkesbury Grand Handicap, beating Masquerade, a red-hot pot, about whose trial with Carmelite there is a good story, which, however, will keep for another time. Masquerade took his revenge in the Metropolitan, but Sting won the w.f.a. races, and the late "Teddy" Weekes then paid 1600 guineas for him for India, where he reigned champion for a time, but met with a violent death. Coincidentally, Proctor, also a descendant of Spaewife, and a golden chestnut of beautiful mould, belonging to Mr. James M'Gill, the owner of Fitzgrafton, ran a good race against Sting in the A.J.C. Plate, and his appearance and performance so impressed the late Hon. John Eales that the sporting squire of Duckenlield gave the 1800 guineas. Mr. M'Gill asked for this fine son of Warlike, but he, too, ended his life violently by accident at Wallsend. Rouse reminiscences, from the days of Jorrocks, who was owned by a Rouse, are plentiful enough to fill a couple of large sized volumes, but pleasant as it is to dwell upon memories of the past, space and the patience of editors have limits, therefore, we must drop them for the nonce, and come up level with the present day. Biraganbil was not dressed in its best when I was there last week, having, with tantalising luck, missed all the big summer storms, while Guntawang, just across the river, received sufficient moisture to fetch good feed. Brakpan, who was purchased last year for the stud, is growing more like his sire Grafton every day, and bids fair to be an excellent edition of the old horse when he drops down into stallion condition, and such a shapely horse ought to do more than well with those fine deep-shouldered Biraganbil mares. We also very much admired a horse named Adventurer, by Andover, son of Yat tendon, out of a St. Albans mare. A beautiful hack himself, who is kept for getting saddle horses, and I have it on good authority that his stock are as perfect as himself.
MARES AND YOUNG STOCK.
With Mr. Herbert Rouse in the lead, we invested the paddocks, and nearby a magnificent stack of bay, we renewed acquaintance with that smart Grafton colt Sir Richard, who is taking a rest from the training stable and is enjoying his ease in the paddock with a good sort of two-year-old colt by Projectile from Mirabelle. Down on the river flats, and under the magnificent Biraganbil willows, we found the mares and several shapely foals by the Windsor Farm horse Regained, whom Mr. Rouse patronised to the extent of half a dozen mares the season before last. Blue and Cerise, almost a sister to Marvel, being by Marvellous from Myrtle, is a fine old mare with a nice Regained filly, and despite the weight of her 19 years, the old mare is rearing her foal well. Among the mares we noticed that good-looking young dame Semiramis, by Gibraltar, purchased last year from the Neotsfield collection; St. Katherine, one of the best-looking mares on the place, and that grand old mother Melissa, dam of Survivor and Reviver, of whose blood Mr. Rouse has been anxious to get more, but, unfortunately, has lost three fine fillies out of her - two by Lochiel, and one by Grafton - but he has a splendid two-year-old Grafton filly on which he sets great store, and is keeping for the stud. Roseleaf, dam of Sir Richard, and Mirabelle, dam of Belle Marie, are both handsome matrons, and Bridget, a Clan Stuart mare, one of the old Mavourneen line, is rearing a nice chestnut colt by Voyou. The task of finding a name for this youngster should be given to Mr. Francis Foy, for I am certain that the appellation he would hit upon would "take well, and give pleasure to all," except a section of the betting ring, who in the past have found some trouble in getting their tongues around the names of Mr. Foy's horses.
A FINE GRAFTON COLT.
There are only three yearlings at Biraganbil, but one of them, a brother to Euston, will, I venture to assert, be classed among the best of the season when he is paraded at Payten's next month. Already he has double the substance of his brother, who, though not first class, was a good racehorse. The yearling is especially good behind with a straight hind leg, powerful lengthy thighs, well clothed with muscle; the fore arms and chest muscles are worthy of an equine Hackenschmidt, while the back ribs and loins are exceptionally powerful. In repose this youngster is a lazy, indolent scamp, but when stirred up he is quite a different horse, and displays fine action, plenty of liberty, and, best of signs, he is a splendid walker. Apart from his good looks he is bred on racing lines. He is by Grafton (3) from St. Catherine (2), by Marvellous (11) from Catherine Wheel, by Fireworks from Thyra, by Boiardo (imp.) from Rose de Denmark, an imported Stockwell mare, the dam of three such smashers as Florence, Ham let, and Horatio, and ancestress of True Blue, Screw Gun, Royal Artillery, Litigant, and others - in fact, the colt's third dam was a full sister to Florence, who won both Derbys. A bay filly by Grafton from Ingratitude is another well-bred one, and a rare good-shaped youngster with it. She reminds somewhat of the Beanha-Birida style of horse. She is a beautifully pitched filly, with specially good arms and thighs, and excellent shoulders. Her cam Ingratitude is a half-sister to the Doncaster Handicap winner Donizetti, being by Clan Stuart (11) from Gertrude (3), by King of the Ring (3) - son of Rose de Florence - from Richmond's sister, Richmond Belle, by Maribyrnong - also a son of Rose de Florence - therefore, she is chockful of the stoutest strain (3) in the English Stud Book, and, if she never raced a yard, would be invaluable as a brood mare, both for her shape and breeding. The strength of her pedigree is three crosses of Flying Dutchman (3), a double cross of Rose de Florence (3), backed by Grafton (3), Galopin (3), a double cross of Rataplan (3), and one of that horse's brother, Stock well (3), whose dam, Pocahontas, was a half sister to the dam of Rose de Florence. The other Biraganbil yearling is a good sort of gelding, by Projectile from Lindella, a sister to Stuart King, by Clan Stuart from the Oaks winner, Regina, a daughter of Ghinni Ghinni, from whom descend a large number of winners.
AMONG THE GRAFTONS.
After completing our studies at Biraganbil and Havilah, we took in Rylstone, on the Upper Cudgegong, on our way home, and were driven by Mr. James Thompson over to Woodlawn, where his eldest son Herbert resides. Woodlawn, Olinda, and the Widden property, Oakleigh, are practically worked together by Mr. Thompson and his sou. The properties firstnamed are excellent summer runs for the mares and young stock, for the climate is cool, and the summer flies not at all bad. The mares are brought up from Oakleigh to visit the stallions in the spring, and when summer is on the wane, and the flies in the low country have lost their virulence, the thoroughbred matrons return to spend the winter in the warm-sheltered valley of Widden. The stallions Grafton and Ayr Laddie are kept at Woodlawn, and are housed in specially-constructed boxes, built on the edge of a circular exercise paddock, in which each horse takes a daily turn for some hours, but in addition to this they are led out to exercise over eight or 10 miles every day, Mr. Herbert Thompson had departed for Widden with the bulk of the brood mares and foals a few days before we arrived, therefore further acquaintance with several old friends was denied us, but the pick of the stud mares, consisting of Lady Trenton, Disgrace, Queen Agnes, Symmetry, Wahine, and Majesty, were still at Woodlawn, and all except Lady Trenton have Grafton foals at their sides. That fine-looking young Grafton mare Grafin, who raced successfully in Victoria in the colours of Mr. H. M. S. Cox, was also present, followed by a good sort of Orzil colt. Lady Trenton's pledge to Grafton is a charming filly, certainly the best-looking foal she has yet borne, and I think she is rearing it much better than she did Lord Cardigan and Dividend. For looks, Symmetry bears the palm among this little Woodlawn lot. She is a magnificent bay mare by Trenton, and her colt foal is a bold, friendly fellow, well-grown, and is typical of his sire. He is regarded locally as the best foal on the place. Disgrace by Lochiel, whose progeny Nothos, Graceton, Lord Fitzroy, and Duke of Grafton, have won fame for her, is a black mare brimful of quality and the stout Sir Hercules blood. She has a lengthy well-grown brown brother to the trio named at her side.
A SOUND COMBINATION.
Queen Agnes, whom I recollect as rather a lean-looking mare when she was at Chipping Norton, is now fat and robust, and is doing her duty well towards a corking good brown colt, and Majesty, that aptly named daughter of Trenton, also has a very fine brown colt by the reigning stallion, Grafton, who looks remarkably well after the labours of the season, and the same may be said of his mate, Ayr Laddie. The purchase of the latter for 1000 guineas, was, 1 think, a wise move, for, apart from other values, he looks on conformation, to be the very horse to mate with Grafton mares. Grafton's daughters generally favour their sire, and inherit his great size, big bene, and general coarseness. Ayr Laddie being of a beautiful mould, and full of quality under a 15-2 standard, is likely to correct coarseness and bulk, as did Lochiel when mated with big, massive mares. I don't know whether Mr. Thompson pays any scientific attention to pedigree when mating his mares, or whether it was Ayr Laddie's breeding or Air Motor's fine form, that induced him to purchase the son of Ayrshire, but the combination of Ayr Laddie, Grafton, and Lochiel, especially when backed by the strong Sir Hercules strain in the Oakleigh mares, is one that Bruce Lowe, or any other well-read student who has closely studied the records of 200 years in the Stud Book and Calendar, would have gone for unhesitatingly, notwithstanding the risk of being labelled "faddist" by a class, that makes little use of the small amount of reason with which Dame Nature has endowed them. If Mr. Thompson is half as fortunate with Ayr Laddie, as he has been with Lochiel and Grafton, the new purchase will be worth double the 1000 guineas paid for him. Lochiel was indeed a mine of wealth. His breeder Mr. G. G. Stead, probably the best judge of racing and racehorses in Australasia, used Lochiel for a season, but before the horse was fully proved he passed him on, and the late Tom Hales, the best jockey Australia has known, and, therefore, a man of large experience among horses, became Lochiel's owner. On the advice of a veterinary surgeon Hales put the horse on the market, and, in a lucky hour. Messrs. James and Alfred Thompson bought him.
FLATTERING RECORDS.
I have no accurate record of the winnings of Lochiel's stock sired in New Zealand, nor of his earlier efforts in this State. The records given below are taken from an exhaustive compilation of the winnings of Australian stallions, which appeared in the "Sydney Mail" for the first time in 1898. In these records (from August, 1897 to January 11, 1904) Lochiel's progeny are credited with 1202 races, worth over £100,000. In the first three years of the records the principal Indian winnings were taken into account, but as it was impossible to get full particulars of all Indian races, they have been left out during the past four years. As many Lochiels have, during that period, been successful in India, notably Loch Clieveden and Strathroy, and some have succeeded in South Africa, the position of the defunct son of Prince Charlie among famous stallions, would be very much higher if these winnings were added, and still higher if the earnings of his progeny in the early '90's and up to 1897 were included. Grafton first appeared on the records in 1891 with six winners of 10 races, worth £1624, but since then - up to January 11 last - his stock have captured 279 races worth £38,048, a flattering record truly for four and a half years work. Grafton was purchased in England, and imported to Victoria by the Hon. Agar Wynne. For some time he went abegging in the neighbouring State, and had he not by mere chance caught Tom Payten's keen eye, he may have been lost to New South Wales. After seeing the horse, Payten arranged with Mr. Wynne to fetch him to Sydney, and place him, if possible, in a stud on this side of the Murray, but no buyers were forthcoming at the 1000 guineas Mr. Wynne asked. This sum represented the cost of the horse landed in Melbourne. However, Payten arranged with Mr. Thompson to take a lease of Grafton, with the option of purchase at 1000 guineas, and, when his foals were verging towards yearling estate, the western stud master bought the horse right out. His first good winner was Grasspan, who was bred on "halves" by Messrs. Payten and Thompson. Grasspan was about as ugly a duckling, when a yearling, as one could find in a month's travelling, and, I fancy, his joint owners did not value him very highly. Mr. Thompson certainly did not, for he let his half go to Payten for £50, and Payten passed him on to Mr. Wynne for £100.
LADY TRENTON'S COLT.
Grasspan won some valuable two and three year old races, and finished well in both Derbys, after being badly interfered with at a critical part of each of these events, and he wound up his Australian winning career with the V.R.C. St. Leger. At the A.J.C. Autumn Meeting, which followed, he was all out of form, and ran very badly. He was then put on the market, and Mr. W. N. Willis got him at £500 for South Africa, and made over £1000 profit on the deal. When I first say Grasspan, a yearling at Olinda, I did not consider him worth mentioning in the report, and for which omission I have been the recipient of much "chaff" ever since. What wonderful memories people have for a failure! Grasspan, however, outgrew his early ugliness, and was a fine style of horse in the autumn of his three-year-old career. All the yearlings standing in Messrs. James and Herbert Thompson's names this year are by Grafton, and for size and general excellence, are well up to the average Oakleigh standard. Locally, Lady Trenton's colt - a brother to Strata Florida, and half-brother to Lord Cardigan and Dividend - by Grafton, is considered the best peach on the top of the basket. In style he is a combination of both sire and dam, perhaps favouring his mother more than the stallion. He is a rich brown, with a large white star and a peculiar narrow white streak running half way down the face. He steps out well when in action; the hind leg is straight, and the thigh bones lengthy and well covered with muscle. He is well-grown and developed, and has a much better barrel than either Dividend or Lord Cardigan had when yearlings, and, in my opinion, is a better class of yearling than was his brother Strata Florida, who was the best looking of Lady Trenton's first five foals. Lady Tren ton's colt is at Woodlawn in charge of a specially-selected groom. At Woodlawn, too, there are several yearling fillies, and a very small edition of Grafton is a chubby colt by that horse out of Aurous, a mare belonging to Mr. C. L. McDonald, and with him is a rare turned brown filly by Grafton from Contrast, the property of Mr. Pearson, of Victoria, but neither are sale yearlings.
GRAFTON FILLIES.
In appearance a sprinter, of the Amiable order, is a big, bay, plain filly, by Grafton from Amitie, by Melos from Fiancee, one of the celebrated Scandal line. She is pitched like a galloper, high behind on to first-rate shoulders, and is a lengthy clean-legged one. Another of this breed, out of Melena, by Meics, is a smartly-built, evenly-made black filly, and the stain, of Lochiel is very evident in a dark brown filly, by Grafton from Zantippe, a sister to the famous steeplechaser Lamond, by Lochiel from Critic, one of the stout Scandal tribe, from whom the Thompsons bred such horses as Mura, Lady Grafton, Cross lake, The Scotchman, Francesca, Jenny Moore, Loch Leigh, Graceton, Nothos, Duke of Grafton, Lord Fitzroy, and Blanche Florence. A sister to Duke of Grafton is a beautiful filly, but Mr. Herbert Thompson does not intend to sell her, and she goes down to Sydney with the others to be leased only. A half-sister to Dewey, by Grafton, is a clean-necked, long-bodied filly, with plenty of quality, and, unlike her sisters - Flora Macdonald and Cushla - she is easy going and docile. Liberty, by Lochiel from Scandal, is represented by a wiry, gritty, bay filly. In the afternoon we made a move for Olinda, where the colts are kept, and the first brought out for inspection was a light brown half-brother (by Grafton) to Great Scot. This fellow can give his relations, Walter Scott and Scot Free, many points and a beating. He is a horse with exceptional liberty, and stands over any amount of ground on splendid legs, and Grafton has provided him with a better barrel than any of Scotch Mary's sons by Lochiel can boast of. The difference between this colt and Walter Scott, Scotch Mary's yearling of last year, is as marked as that between the two-year-old Grama (Grafton-Drama) and his yearling brother now at Olinda. They are as different as chalk is to cheese. The yearling is lighter, and more sinewy, and is all quality from stem to stern. He is a dark bay, with black legs, a game head, and strong neck, and the best of bone, while he stands as true as a hair. His breeding, too, cannot be beaten on line or figure, as he is by Grafton (3) - son of Galopin (3) - from Drama (2), by Trenton (18) - son of Musket (3) - from Tragedy, by Hamlet (2) - son of Maribyrnong (3) - from Azimuth, by Julius (20) - son of St. Albans (2) by Stockwell (3) - from Azema (imp.), by Flying Dutchman (3). From Grafton he gets the Galopin-Flying Dutchman-Toxophilite and Brown Bess cross, while Trenton brings in Musket, Toxophilite, Brown Bess, Goldsbrough, and Fisherman blood; through Hamlet he gets Fisherman, Flying Dutchman, Stockwell, and the Oaks winner, Marchioness; and in Azimuth we find Stockwell, Flying Dutch man, and a double cross of the celebrated Touchstone horse, Orlando.
SOME CHOICE COLTS.
Next to the Drama colt I like a bay by Grafton from Tarlee, a rare good mover, with legs that will stand for ever, while he is beautifully balanced, and as game looking as they are made. He inherits the character of Grand Flaneur, whose blood courses through his veins, for his dam is by Antaeus from Memah, by Grand Flaneur from Utopia, by Robinson Crusoe from Radiance, by Fireworks from Sunshine - the dam of that prolific sire of winners, Sunrise. A black-brown colt with tan flanks, by Grafton from Elaine, by Projectile - another of the Scandal tribe - is a low-set, powerfully-built, gentlemanly youngster. A lengthy whole-brown colt by Grafton from Ury is also every inch a gentleman, and comports himself as one in all his actions - a beautiful mover, and one that is bred on winning lines. He is half-brother to Rockleigh, a fair racehorse, who was by a wretch of a stallion, that, in the interests of horse-breeding, should have been gelded. This yearling's dam, Ury, is by Splendor from Banksia, by Wild Oats from Steppe, from whom, it should be needless to mention, descend Stepniak, Russley, Too Soon, Mahaki, Bobadil, etc., and who was closely related to Metal and Dalmeny. One of the best yearlings on the place is a bay half-brother to Blanche Florence, by Grafton from Helene, by Marvellous from Scandal. This most attractive colt is a good mover, and has determination written all over him. A black colt by Grafton from Little Gladys (by Lochiel) throws unerringly to his sire, and is very like Crosslake, a Tattersall's Cup winner, and a brother to Little Gladys, who is the dam of that good horse The Scotchman, and her dam, Lady Roodee, was the dam of two good ones - Lady Grafton and Mura1 - and, as far as looks and style go, there is no reason for supposing that the Little Gladys yearling should not be as good as any of his winning relations. A black colt by Grafton from Glennell, by Melos from the Lecturer mare Little Nell (a half-sister to Scandal, the granddam of Duke of Grafton), is full of Sir Hercules blood, and undoubtedly the influence of it has come to the surface, for, unlike many of the Little Nell tribe, who were grey, he is black in colour, is as determined as a bulldog, and as active as a tiger, and possessed of rare legs and immense sinews. He is just the sort, I should say, to win the affections of Mr. James Readford, whose love for Sir Hercules is first, and the rest nowhere.
RELATED TO ACRASIA.
A dark brown colt by Grafton from Jeanette, a sister to Blanche Florence, and therefore one of the Scandal line, is a real good sort, as strong as a ship, and a typical Graftou. Mr. Thompson, I forgot to mention, recently re-leased the Olinda paddocks to Mr. Arthur Tindall, but I believe retains the use of the stables. Mr. Tindall has three yearlings, two fillies and a colt, by Dorchester. A brown filly out of Lady Cerise, by Niagara, or Kitawa, from Blue and Cerise, by Marvellous from Myrtle - the granddam of Acrasia and Marvel - is as neat as a lady's maid, and one that should quickly catch the eye of an Indian buyer, or a galloway man in search of some thing choice. The other filly is a lengthy, well pitched little lady out of a sister to Loch Lochie, by Lochiel, and the colt, a handy, ready-made, racing cut, is out of a half sister to Loch Lochie by Projectile. With these are a couple of three-year-old unbroken fillies that are to be sold during race week. A black by Projectile from a sister to Loch Lochie is a well-knit and well-reared young ster, and a chestnut by Trident from Fireplay's dam, Helle, by Kingsborough, who is a really good sort, endowed with a splendid pair of shoulders, and is pitched the right way for galloping. At Olinda we saw a nicely turned colt, by Grafton from Glimpse, who has been reared by Mr. Thompson for Dr. Connolly, of Brisbane. He is as even as a die, as round as a ball, and is a well grown one on whom I think the worthy doctor will set great store when he sees him. At Rylstone we saw a very good sort of colt by Grafton from Makeshift, by Kingsborough from the lone filly, by Gemma di Vergy. This youngster was reared on Bylong, and well reared at that. He is a Gemma di Vergy all over, even unto "the Sir Hercules crest" - a thick bunch of white hairs at the tail butt. This colt is the property of Mr. J. W. Farrar, the breeder of Rawden, Bide-a-Wee, and Lochino. Mr. G. S. Hall, also of Rylstone. had a good sort of bay filly to show. She is a three quarter sister to Myall and Whiting, by Holbrook from Crystal, a half-sister to Lady Clievedon, the dam of Contest and Loch Clieveden, and a relative to scores of other winners, including Amiable, Loch Marie, North Head, and Hirondelle. Mr. Hall's filly is a lengthy racing sort, that very much favours her good sire12 .

1909

Biraganbil sale Mudgee Guardian 2 November 1909, page 4

2 November 1909
BIRAGANBIL ESTATE.
Attention is drawn to the large advertisement appearing in our business columns, in connection with the sub-division sale of portion of the well-known Biraganbil Estate. As will be seen by the advertisement about 6000 acres are to be sub-divided into 12 farms, ranging from 100 acres to 1400 acres. Biraganbil Estate is situated about six miles from Gulgong, and is highly improved, ringbarked and well watered. A large area of the land is specially adapted for wheat growing, and a number of the blocks are all cleared and ready for the plough, and several areas have already been cultivated with exceptionally good results, while others are suitable for dairying. A number of the farms have large frontages to the Cudgegong River, Piambong, and other creeks. The sale will be conducted by Messrs. Harrison Jones and Devlin, Ltd. (Sydney). in conjunction with auctioneer D. H. Spring (Gulgong), at Gulgong, on Wednesday, 24th November, 1909. Lithographs and further particulars on application to the auctioneers. Buyers will be driven over the property by giving a few days notice13 .

1911

26 September 1911
SALE OF BIRAGANBIL STUD.
On Wednesday last Messrs. Lawson and Co., auctioneers, Gulgong, N.S.W., offered the whole of Messrs. Rouse Bros. Biraganbil merino stud sheep for auction, and effected a satis factory clearance of the lot, with the exception of one stud ram and some shorn weaners. The ram The Pride, champion this year in the fine-wool section at Sydney, brought £21; ram Successful, £10 10s.; a plain-bodied ram, £15 15s.; stud maiden ewes brought up to £4 4s.; and some aged ewes with lambs £1 10s. Messrs Bleckmore and Shannon were the principal buyers14 .

1915

31 March 1915
THE TURF: NOTES AND COMMENTS.
BY 'MILROY.'
Biraganbil.
MR. J. B. REID was an unconscious benefactor to Australia or, rather, afforded Australian stud-masters a splendid opportunity to profit by his judgment - when he sold out his splendid stud, which he formed at Elderslie (New Zealand) for the purpose of breeding thoroughbreds for the market from English stallions, English mares, and the very pick of the New Zealand Stud Book. But it did not take him long to discover that breeding for sale in a totalisator country was a delusion and a snare, and he sold out at the first good opportunity. His three stallions - as 1 have had occasion to remark more than once - came to Australia. They are Charlemagne II., Varco, and De Gama's sire, Vasco. One of the Charlemagnes sold at his break-up was Carlita. Judges of blood stock will have some excellent opportunities of overhauling the progeny of Charlemagne II, and Varco at the coming sales, and if they are not satisfied with the exhibits it is impossible to please them. Varco was purchased by Messrs. Leslie and Herbert Rouse, the owners of Biraganbil stud, and at the same time they secured Couronne, with Carlita a foal at her side. Couronne would have made an excellent mate for Varco, but she died. Her death made a great difference in the fortunes of these two young stud-masters, for had they but a colt by Varco out of her, and a good one to look at, there would have been some good bidding round the ring. However, there will be some attractive Varcos from Biraganbil paraded, also a splendid chestnut bred by Mr. W. F. McDonald at Wambo, and Thompson Brothers have a good one out of La Siesta. The Varcos are all good doers. They will, in fact, live on 'the smell of an oil rag.' At first they fight like fiends, but when they settle down they are most docile horses. I think it will be agreed that a Biraganbil-bred son of Varco out of Adria is a top-notchcr. His dam is a highly-connected mare, and the dam of a good winner. Messrs. Rouse bought her at Mr. Reid's sale. She is of the same family as Beresina, and is by Stepniak. Her colt is a most powerful fellow, and as healthy as a sandboy. Evidence of his invincible digestion is most apparent. He has a marvellous barrel and quarters, splendid muscular development, and a perfect set of flat-boned legs. A colt out of Felicia - one of the best of the old Biraganbil breed, by Grafton from Melissa, by Marvellous - is another stout-built fellow, with a great set of loins and legs. When he has finished racing he will be an ideal horse for station work, in the production of saddle horses. He is a masculine horse, likely to get them in his own style and invest them with courage and fire, without which the saddle horse is worthless for military or other work; and as long as we breed such horses as he, and use them for station work, the 'waler' will still hold his place as the premier military horse of India and also, may add, among Germans, who took many shipments from here, and declared them to be superior to the best Irish. Messrs. Rouse have a very substantial and shapely colt, good-tempered and as hard as steel, in a bay by Linacre out of Lady Fucile, by Fucile; and a solid bay colt, a real dual-purpose horse, by Varco out of Bribe, by Fortunatus; also a brown colt by Varco out of St. Margaret - a New Zealander, by Souit - who is all quality and appears to be a very speedy customer.

About Riverina.
THE Riverina, or, in fact, that lengthy and wide belt of choice land bordering the railway between Goulburn and Albury, is rightly claimed to be of the highest class for grazing purposes and in the production of both sheep and big stock. The Riverina men declare their sheep to be the best in Australia, and I have seen cattle at Betty Jerry, Ganmain, and Abingdon fit to exhibit beside the nest that could be produced from anywhere, but though this fine country has been noted for its responsive character and wealth-production, and has been proved first-class for the rearing of horses, very few thoroughbred studs have been established thereupon, or, at least, few when compared with the north. In the long ago the Bowlers bred splendid racehorses from mares of doubtful origin, and down in one of the driest parts of it the late Mr. Mat Devlin turned off scores of winners by Sunrise: and Mr. W. H. Mate has proved the mettle of the Tarcutta pastures with his many winners by Ibex, yet southern squatocracy have given comparatively small attention to the production of racing stock for the market. In the catalogue compiled by Messrs. William Inglis and Son and H. Chisholm and Co. appear the names of exactly 99 breeders, and in this lengthy list only five hail from the Riverina, and these are Messrs. A. S. O'Keefe, of Yamma; W. H. Mate, of Tarcutta; J. J. McGrath of Wattle Vale; the Brocklesby Stud; and H. and G. Main, of Retreat, near Bethungra. Mr. O'Keefe, the owner of Bright Steel, is the youngest of this quartette; and Messrs. Main began, I think, shortly after the break-up of Durham Court stud, where they purchased Delta, from whom they bred that sterling little horse Tofua. Messrs. Main were regular buyers at local sales for a time; then they purchased their stallion Featherstitch, a son of Ayrshire and a Galopin mare, from his importer, Mr. J. N. Hart, and, being satisfied they had secured a horse of good promise, they commissioned Mr. W. A. Allison to buy them a batch of mares in England), and he secured them Necktie, Flower of the Field (by Winkfield), Fleet-street (by Speed), Woodshade (by Mackintosh), a filly by Common out of Rubber, a filly by Collar out of Lady Evandale, Suffer (by Rightaway), and Gorbio (by Marco). With this lot came Limelight, whom we all know so well.

Related to Traquette.
IN their first season with Featherstitch Messrs. Main bred Tofua, and other winners; in fact, this horse is the sire of Hazel H., Featheredge, Ardrossan, Knit, and Dainty Girl, who with others have won him between four and five thousand in stakes, and if appearances go for anything the present lot of yearlings by him will add
Chestnut Gelding, by Mooltan - Amboise, by Stepniak. Bred by J. Samuel, at Cookamidgera.
Bay Filly, by Persian Knight (imp.) - Josephine, by Beauchamp (imp.). Bred by D. U. Seaton, at Merton.
Brown Filly, by Charlemagne II. (imp.) - 'Cello, by Splendor (imp.). Bred by T. Payten, at Oakleigh, greatly to his prestige and position among winning stallions. A grey filly by Featherstitch out of Kindamindi is a beauty. I liken her very much to Traquette for general style, and she is related to that racing wonder in many ways. Her dam is by Grafton out of Mrs. Grundy (5), by Wallace from Duenna, by Lecturer from Signora, the dam of that great racehorse Cardigan. Mrs. Grundy is a three-part-sister to such a racehorse as Amberite, and her dam produced such racing history-makers as Flintlock, Aeetine, Remorie, and the dam of George Frederick. The yearling inherits the Sappho colour from Lecturer, one of Sappho's three great sons. Traquette is a descendant' of Sappho through Lecturer's half-sister, Nellie, and this filly is a sister to Featheredge, a good performer in Queensland. She is a lengthy, big filly, with plenty of rein and great liberty of action. She is at her best when on the move, and is a very fine individual. A filly of the opposite type, one of the Tofua sort, in fact - is a queenly chestnut by Featherstitch from Suffer, an imported mare by Rightaway from Salt Tears, by Amphion from Saltire, by Bend Or. She belongs to the same family as Cranbrook, Goldsbrough, Nordenfeldt, and Robinson Crusoe, and her filly has a double cross of Bend Or and Hermit to nick with the Ayrshire and Galopin in Feather stitch. The youngster is a beautifully-turned animal, with a perfect frontpiece. Doubtless more than average attention will be paid to a picturesque little sister to Goldenmore, and therefore a half-sister to that top-class racehorse Newry. This charming filly is low to the ground, is a model of symmetry, and strong enough to carry 16 stone. There is not a cull among the nine Featherstitches at Retreat. They all have something good about them; also a filly by Bright Steel out of Cymbal, a Correze mare belonging to the Atholine family, which has given us a long list of winners. This filly is a true Bright Steel, neat, racy, and ladylike.

Various Lots.
The Brocklesby stud, which was originally established by file late Dr. Spooner Hart with a fine shipment of English mares and a few select Australians, sends in a dozen yearlings this year. They are all by Dr. Hart's importation, Cyrus, a representative of the same family as Sir Foote and a son of that great stallion Cyllene, who represents, the Bend Or, Isonomy, and Hermit lines, while the dam of Cyrus has the Galopin-Wisdom cross and runs back to a sister to Vedette, by Yoltigeur. Another successful breeder, Mr. William Brown of Segenhoe, sends in 10 youngsters, and eight of them are by his imported horse Tressady, a fine son of Persimmon and a good English performer. Mr. Brown has bred many winners, but has been most successful with the descendants of his imported marc Chand Bee Bee, from whom he raised the Melbourne Cup winner Piastre, as well as Haw Bee (Summer Cup), Bee Bee (Maribyrnong Plate), and Chantress (Newmarket Handicap). One of this breed in his lot is a bay colt by Mountain King out of Bee Bee, by Haut Brion; and his more than useful stallion Duke of Melton is responsible for a sister to that smart filly Loved One, who is out of a three-parts sister to Piastre. Among the Tressadys are a half-brother to Garlin, a half-brother to Regular Hours, a half-sister to Vanity Fair, and relatives to Sweet Malt, Phagocyte, and Headwind. Mr. Joe Brown, of Saxon Vale, near Muswellbrook, who from his small stud has bred such prominents as Saxonite, Karanaud, Patronatus, Merrimee, and Patrimony, has described four yearlings, headed by a filly by Earlston from Anna. a half-sister to Karanaud and Saxonite, by Positano from Carronade, a half-sister (by Grand Flaneur) to Alawa, and there is a half-sister to Merrimee and Patronatus in a filly by St. Alwyne.

More Poseidons.
MRS. C. E. CORY, of the Paterson River, has two fillies by Knight light and En Garde to offer at the sales: and Mr. T. V. Dangar - who has got together a well-bred bunch of mares - has a half-brother to that consistent winner Hymeneal. He is by Knightlight, and there is a colt by Riding Master out of Caneebie, whose dam is a sister to the dam of Flaxen, and a colt by Riding Master out of a sister to Silver Lad, by Ayr Laddie, is bred to gallop. With them are a colt by Poseidon from Lady Hoyden (1), an imported mare by Halma; a colt by Poseidon out of that reliable Ayr Laddie mare The Maze; a filly by Knightlight out of Mollinda by Lochiel; and a filly by Earlston from Blue Wind (3), a beautifully bred True Blue mate. That cast iron son of Maltster Maltchester will be represented by a couple of yearlings bred by Messrs. W. A. Gardiner and E. A. Shiel, and both are out of highly connected brood mares, to wit, Miss Splendor (3), by Splendor from Diana, by Goldsbrough; and Grand Vitesse, a winner, and a sister to Heiro, by Ruenalf, Mr. K. A. Shiel has a colt by Poseidon from Graceton, and a filly by Poseidon from Helen Thomas (imp.); a filly by Poseidon from Pasadena, a very handsome Havoc mare; and a filly by Poseidon from Vernicle, a sister to Soultoria, by Soult. Mr. T. A. Harris, of Holbrook, Widden, is down to supply four yearlings, including a filly by Cooltrim from Cover Over, an imported mare by Veronese.

Bright Steel Yearlings.
MR. A. S. O'KEEFE, of Yamma, owner of Bright Steel, sent the first of the yearlings he bred for market to Sydney. He had only two, but that smasher Athenic was one of them. I think he sold his next lot in Melbourne; but this time he has a party of twelve on the Inglis catalogue, and nine of them are by Bright Steel. Among the three exceptions is a sister to Volsloane, no less, a magnificent racehorse whom we lost to India; and there is a filly by Vaseo, sire of De Gama, out of Maureen, a granddaughter of Idalia the dam of Sir Modred, and ancestress of a host of notables. The Bright Steels are all out of beautifully bred mares, and if they are but fair to look at they are likely to command a good market in Sydney among locals and Queenslanders, who know something of the quality and speed of the Bright Steels. Mr. George Osborne, of Foxlow, has been a breeder of blood stock for well over forty years, and has turned out quite his share of winners; but it is some time since his name has appeared as a contributor to the yearling series. He has three yearlings - a half-sister to Currandooley, by Fighting Furley a filly by Sir Laddo from Greeba (a sister to the flying Kirry. who was the dam of two fliers, Zilka and The Owl); and a half-brother to Dunhaven, by Sir Laddo from Gerig, a sister to the dam of Wyadra and My Best. Dr. Ewan Fraser has several attractive yearlings by Ballantrae, a brother to Downshire, out of well-bred mares. These were all bred at Tom Payten's stud farm near Canowindra and Tom Payten's two sons have sent in a few from the same place by Ballantrae and Melodrama, and one by Fortunatus. Among Mr. John Samuel's Mooltans, bred at Cookamidgera, is a very handsome chestnut gelding out of Amboise, a Stepniak mare and a sister to the dam of Artillerie; and Mr. D. U. Seaton, as usual, has a nice lot of youngsters in his name. These, to my eye, are headed by a very shapely bay filly by Persian Knight from Josephine (2), by Beauchamp from Auricula, by Abercorn from Aurelia, by Musket. She is a model of symmetry, with beautiful lengthy shoulders. Another of Mr. Seaton's, and a very attractive youngster, is a black colt by Kenilworth out of Widden Lass (by Maltster), who runs back to Abercorn's dam. Widden Lass is the dam of Rose o' Merton and Fortrait both good recent winners. A relative to the Josephine filly, and a shapely individual, is a brown filly by Persian Knight from Maltster Lass, a sister to Ballenger, by Maltster from Josephine; and one that ought to quickly return his purchase money, if he lives up to the records and traditions of his family, is a brown colt, a brother to Lady Linacre, by Linacre from British Rule, by Gossoon.

First Marlboroughs.
MR. J. H. BETTINGTON, of Terragong has three colts by his imported horse Marlborough, who, a friend informs me, will challenge the best they can bring forward by any particular stallion for size, shape, and racing character. I recollect them as beautiful foals, particularly a chestnut colt out of Feverish, a near relation to Flavinius, by Fluvus from Febrile, by True Blue from Malaria, by Goldsbrough. The first of Mr. Bettington's trio is a bay colt out of Rubber Core, by Flavus from Blue Black, by True Blue, and he is a descendant of Fisher's famous importation Marchioness. Mr. J. H. Britten, who formed his stud at Woodhouse under the mentorship of the late Isaac Earnshaw. has no reason to regret the purchase of his imported Carbine horse Mousqueton, whose stock come in good shape, and among his winners this seasons, at Caulfield, Randwick, Geelong. and Perth, are Mosquetirc, Purdey, Condobolin, and Dakai; while Curioso, Peel River, Wollumbra, Amy C, and others have contributed to his total. On Messrs. Chisholm's catalogue Mr. Britten has named five Mousqueton colts, among them a good-looking brother to Dakai, a brother to Condobolin (the winner of the Geelong Two-year-old Stakes), a brother to Amy C, a brother to Purley, who won at Randwick the other day, and a colt out of Saffron, a mare by Flavus from Starry, who belongs to the same family as Mountain Knight and Wakeful. Among the contributors to the Chisholm catalogue are the New Zealand brooders. G. M. Currie, Ian Duncan, H. Friedlander, Sir George McLean, J. B. Reid, J. F. Reid, and W. G. Stead. Of these yearlings I have only seen Mr. Currie's half-dozen, who are all by his English horse King- Rufus, son of William Rufus, and are indeed a well-grown, substantial lot, particularly a queenly bay filly out of Moira-Ma-Chree, who is one of the famous Mermaid tribe and a daughter of the St. Simon horse Cyrenian. Mr. A. Hooke, of Tia, has a couple of colts by his great stallion True Blue, and one of them is out of a sister to Ladies' Man, while another is by Sir Laddo out of Lady Mary, dam of that splendid racehorse Blue Book. Among the Eurimbla yearlings, bred by Messrs. Thomas Longworth and Son, is a corking good colt and a well-bred fellow by Earlston from Rose Simmer, by Simmer from Caramel, a descendant of Evening Star, as are the dams of Mountain Knight, Wakeful, and Earlston's best son, Radnor. Two colts by Sir Laddo out of Saucer and Secret; are worth close inspection, as is a colt by Dowdingstown out of Coarmant, by The Admiral. I hear Mr. J. J. McCrath, of Wattle Vale, has a very good brother to Tom Castro, by Little Toy, in his lot: and Mr. E. P. Morris, from Tamworth side, has a corker by Linacre from Malt Royal, a sister to the unbeaten Malt Queen, by Maltster. Mr. J. E. O'Brien has several well-bred yearlings for sale, including a colt by Bardolph from Maltrona, a sister to Malt King; and Mr. A. M. White, of Bolivia, has a beautiful colt by Kenilworth from his handsome mare Diti, by Diplomat.

Thoroughbreds from Everywhere.
THE yearlings will occupy the attention of the two selling firms for three long days and a part of All Aged Stakes day in their disposal; then the first two days of the following week will be taken up with two lengthy catalogues, covering mixed thoroughbreds entrusted to them for sale. Particulars of these will appear in the next issue of the 'Mail.' A catalogue of English bloodstock to be sold by Messrs. Inglis appeared in a recent issue of this paper. In addition to those already made public, the firm has Planudes, The Scribe, Sir Tristram, Cyrus, and other English-bred horses to sell, and among the colonials are Melodrama, Malthusian, and that good-looking colt Podaxon. They have also a large number of racehorses and untried stock, including eight colts and fillies from England. Messrs. Chisholm and Co. have particulars of a large party from New Zealand, English, and Australian studs. They are selling off the stud of a successful New Zealand breeder, Mr. Hugo Friedlander, and have others from the Dominion; but the catalogue will be available next week.

Lochano Again.
THOUGH the weather was unseasonably close, there was a very large attendance of Sydney sportsmen at Hawkesbury on Saturday, and included in the company were several well-known sportsmen from other States, who were entertained by the chairman of the club, Mr. Percy Reynolds, of Hobartville, and his always hospitable committee. Colonel Guest, who has been secretary to the club for a lifetime, was everywhere and attending to everybody in a manner that spoke volumes for the brightness of his brain and his extraordinary vitality. The Hawkesbury Autumn Handicap of £500 provided a contest that must have rejoiced the heart of handicapper Archie Wilson, for at the finish the occupants of the stands were undecided as to whether Lochano or Sir Vive won, and they were only a short length in front of Wishing Cap, who was about a head in advance of Tofua and Secret Service, who in turn were but half a length in front of Trinobantes and the Queenslander My Gavonni. At the heels of this lot came Lady Boniform, Necktie, King Mostyn, and Frasca. When they settled down Sir Vive took charge, but Tofua led along the back from Foley's horse and Secret Service, and Wishing Cap was last of the party. The pace was a cracker all the way. Lochano was introduced into the market at 32 to 1, and a little later 10 to 1 was grabbed with avidity.

Doncaster and Cup Gossip.
LOCHANO is in the Doncaster Handicap with Sst 11lb. 3lb less than she carried at Hawkesbury, and as she ran the distance (lm 3f) in the smart time of 2m 19¼s she should hare a lot to say in the big mile race if in racing humour. Wishing Cap, of course, is one of the backed candidates for the Sydney Cup, in which he is not very leniently treated with 8st 2lb). Last year Lilyveil, well backed, was beaten badly in the Hawkesbury Handicap, but he won the Sydney Cup with Sst 8lb. Wishing Cap is building up a record as a place-getter. He meets Sir Vive in the Cup on 8lb worse terms than on Saturday, but the extra distance may make up for that, and the gallop, I fancy, is likely to improve Secret Service, who has 8lb less in the Sydney Cup, and may be a different horse in a week. Melbourne men, I believe, prefer Onazer to Wishing Cap at almost level weights, and one southern friend thinks Hush Money (7st 9lb) is the best stayer among the Victorian lot. Hush Money and Philio have arrived, and Blague is also here. If asked to pick the best six, on paper, in the Sydney Cup, I would name Ulva's Isle. Cisco, St. Spasa, Onazer, Secret Service, and Wishing Cap, and place:-
ULVA'S ISLE, 1; ST. SPASA, 2; CISCO, 3;
Perhaps Secret Service may not run, inasmuch as the owner of Ulva's Isle, Mr. Arthur White, is a part-owner of the colt, and he may be sent for something less ambitious.
Garlin, who at one time was almost favourite for the Doncaster Handicap, was produced at Hawkesbury for the High-weight Handicap, and, starting at 7 to 4, won very easily from Royal Laddie, who at the finish was backed with great confidence: but the three-year-old gave him 14lb and an easy beating, while Toast, a recent winner, carrying 16lb less than Garlin, was a bad third. Garlin ran the distance in 4m 39s. and as he carries 21lb less in the Doncaster Handicap he will surely be a very hard nut to crack if there is a shadow of value in the time test. I have neither space nor inclination to wade right through the long list of first acceptors in the Doncaster, and there one will boil my views down to six landed ones, and these, alphabetically, are Aleconner, First Principle, Giru, Garlin, lmshi, and Woorak, and live in hope of the following placings: -
IMSIL, 1: GARLIN, 2; ALECONNER, 3.
A majority of the watchers at Randwick are pinning their faith to Giru, because of the manner in which he acquits himself in private, and I feel sure Musgrave is very confident about Aleconner. Though Woorak is a wonder up to seven furlongs, a mile may find him out, and 8st 10lb is a lot of weight for a little fellow. Tom Payten has Imshi in the condition of his life, and a horse of his class is surely is light enough with 7st 9lb. Gigandra will not lack friends after his desperate fight with Brattle in the Hawkesbury Flying Handicap, in which he carried 9st 12lb and was beaten a head by Brattle, and The Lintie, a Doncaster candidate, was a neck away third, with 7st 6lb.

Other Events.
DEAR LADDIE easily beat Wallace Isinglass, Wedding Day, and a very large field in the two-year-old race on Saturday, but his form did not encourage one to believe that anything behind him is likely to beat Cetigue, Scobie's, or Payten's, best in the big events at Randwick. Dear Laddie is the property of Mr. Nagel, who gave 1900 guineas for him last year. He is a brother to Bright Laddie, by Ayr Laddie from Bright Alice, and was bred by Tom Payten. If nothing goes wrong with Ulva's Isle, he is likely to win the three long-distance w.f.a. races at the A.J.C. meeting, now that Land of Song is out of action. Mr. Norman Falkiner, owner of the latter, was in town the other day, and told me he intends to give Land of Song a long spell and a few mares during the coming season. For other events run on the opening days of the A.J.C. meeting I fancy'-

FIRST HURDLE RACE: BRIARBERRVY or MERRIMAN. AUTUMN STAKES: ULVA'S ISLE or CISCO.
SIRES' PRODUCE STAKES: CETIGNE or RED SIGNAL. ST. LEGER: MOUNTAIN KNIGHT.
HIGH-WEIGHT HANDICAP: ROYAL LADDIE or LESSEPS.
CHAMPAGNE STAKES: CETIGNE or RED SIGNAL. FIRST STEEPLECHASE: CLONTAFT or TORONE.
Chestnut Colt by Powhatan (imp.) - Iodal, by Benvolio. Bred by B. Allen at Dartmouth.
Grey Filly by Featherstitch (imp.) - Kindimindi, by Grafton (imp.). Bred by H. and G. Maia at Retreat15 .

1933

20 March 1933
BIRAGANBIL STUD
With the decision of the executors of the estate of the late Mr. H. C. Rouse to disperse the Biraganbil Stud (Gulgong) one of the longest family associations with the turf, and particularly the breeding side, will be broken. From the earliest records of racing and thoroughbred breeding, the name of Rouse has been prominent, and in the first volume of the Australian Stud Book, the stud record appears of the mare Atalenta, owned by Messrs. Rouse, of New South Wales, and bred by Mr. Rouse in 1851. The late Mr. H. C. Rouse was associated in the Biraganbil Stud with his brother, L. G. Rouse, a keeper of the Australian Stud Book, who pre-deceased him by only a few years, and apart from all other considerations, their main objective throughout was the improvement of the thoroughbred horse, and the desire to breed a champion. The dispersal is to take place on the property on April 20-the date on which the "Back to Gulgong" week celebrations start16 .

9 November 1933
"BIRAGANBIL" SALE
BIG clearing sale of magnificent furniture is to take place at Biraganbil on Saturday next, commencing at 11 a.m. A light luncheon will be provided. The list of furnishings to be disposed of includes many valuable modern suites as well as some magnificent old pieces. For years In the hands of the one family, "Biraganbil" is one of the show places of the Gulgong district, and the sale of furniture is naturally creating considerable interest17 .

1934

8 March 1934
PURCHASED BIRAGANBIL
MR L. B. Coward, of Birriwa, has purchased the well-known property, Biraganbil and will take over very shortly18 .

2022

7 February 2022
Mudgee wagyu farm with Marcos ties fetches $17m - Agriculture
A wagyu beef farm near Mudgee that formed part of the agricultural and horse breeding empire of Eduardo Cojuangco jnr, a billionaire businessman and crony of Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos, has been snapped up for almost $17 million by Galileo property boss and champion horse race owner Neil Werrett.

The 3342-hectare property known as Biraganbil housed the commercial wagyu beef operations of Gooree Park, which Mr Cojuangco owned, developed and expanded after he was forced into exile in 1986 following the ousting of the Marcos regime.

Mr Cojuangco, who was long-time chairman and CEO of the Philippines' biggest corporation, beer-making conglomerate San Miguel, was worth $US1 billion ($1.41 billion) according to Forbes, when he died in 2020.

Having purchased the Gooree Stud from the Foyster family in 1979, which he turned into a world-class horse racing and breeding establishment, Mr Cojuangco created the Gooree Park aggregation through the acquisition of properties Cullenbone, Biraganbil (for $1.95 million in 1998) and Galambine north of Mudgee to add a 400-hectare vineyard as well as sheep, beef and cropping to his agricultural pursuits.

Lining the banks of the Cudgegong River, Biraganbil operated as the Gooree Park Pastoral mixed-farming operation producing summer and winter crops and fattening up to 1000 breeding cows plus progeny.

Records show it was purchased by Mr Werrett's Galileo Pastoral for $16.6 million.

Mr Werrett is a leading player in commercial property and thoroughbred horse racing. His Galileo Group, which he founded in 2003 after two decades at AMP Capital, has acquired $13 billion of real estate in Australia, Japan and the US.

In horse racing, Mr Werrett owned a 50 per cent stake in champion mare Black Caviar alongside interests in other Group 1 winners. He is also part-owner of the highly successful Vinery Stud in the Hunter Valley and on the board of the Victorian Racing Club.

Mr Werrett told The Australian Financial Review his family had bought Biraganbil after looking for a cattle property for a long time.

"This property suited the family as it has scale, with capacity for over 1000 breeders plus calves, good water availability long river frontage and a nice home in the Mudgee area, which is a vibrant town, and has the capacity to improve production," Mr Werrett said.

Inglis Rural Property's Jamie and Richie Inglis handled the off-market sale of Biraganbil, while long-time Gooree Park director Jeanette Tioseco negotiated on behalf of the Cojuangco family19 .

References