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1898
5 March 1898
1905
22 March 1905
22 March 1905
Annual Yearling Sales: Havilah Stud, near Mudgee.
IT was the study and aim of the late Mr. H. O. White, of Havilah, to raise stock breeding so far as it affected fine-woolled sheep, beef cattle, and horses to a standard never dreamt of by the pioneer breeders of Australia. Since the purchase of Havilah by Mr. White, a quarter of a century back, the sheep and the pastures have been transferred beyond recognition. In the good work which he began he was ably assisted for many years by his son, Mr. Hunter White, than whom there is no more popular man in the Mudgee district, and his superiors in the breeding and management of horses, cattle, and sheep are few and far between. The late Mr. H. C. White was one of a small band of Australians owing to whose energy and talent Australian wool has attained a pre-eminence as regards the essentials that combine to make it the most valuable in the world's market. Yet while these masterminds were building the fleece to nearly double the average weight to that obtained 25 years ago, they carefully considered and improved the subordinate yet important matter of frame, for today we find the merino heavier than its forbears, and carrying double the amount of wool, and a better class of wool at that. When the hue Mr. White purchased Havilah and its flocks he was known to fame among Indian and local experts in horseflesh as a breeder of horses, and as a breeder of Durhams and Devons - move particularly the latter - he was among the first flight of Australian stock-raisers. "None but the best" was the late squire of Havilah's motto, and he strictly adhered to it when he began breeding thoroughbred horses in earnest, with the result that to-day Havilah's stud is one of the best south of the line. Horses bearing Mr. White's famous pentagon brand have succeeded on the English as well as Australian racecourses, and in India it is regarded as the hallmark of excellence, a state of things which, no doubt. Mr. James Tulloch, who for many years, has purchased Havilah-bred horses for export to India, will substantiate. The stallions now in use at Havilah are Skopos (imp.), Louis XIII, (imp.), Impetus (imp.) and Atlas, the magnificent son of Cranbrook. who was bred on the place. The late Mr. White purchased Skopos as a yearling in England, and the big son of St. Serf successfully carried the scarlet and white banner of Havilah in his own country. After Skopos won the Middleton Cup. Mr. White, without a moment's hesitation, refused an offer of 4000 guineas for the horse from an agent of the German Government, but, instead, sent him across the seas to Havilah. Skopos is a magnificent dark bay or brown horse, whose breeding, shape, and characteristics are all in accordance with the best traditions of the British thoroughbred, but in these respects he is in no wise superior to Louis XIII., a rare turned son of St. Simon, and a horse of high quality and bearing. Louis XIII. has already proved his ability to sire racehorses, while his half-breds are said to be most promising. Impetus, sire of that remarkably game and tough racehorse Sir Leonard, is one of the finest topped horses alive, and is of Touchstone descent. Impetus was purchased by Mr. White in England when a yearling, but an accident prevented the youngster from being trained. With such sires and so many first class mares, it was not very difficult for Mr. Hunter White to select a dozen good yearlings out of this year's young stock to represent the stud at the forthcoming sales. From among the Havilah yearlings belonging to Mr. Hunter White we have selected three pictures, which we present in addition to a couple that are the property of Mrs. H. C. White. Particulars of these youngsters and their companions are given in a special article that appears in the sporting pages of this issue. Respecting these pictures it may be mentioned that the photographer had some difficulty in getting good results when he visited Havilah last week. The yearlings had not been long in the stable, and had not settled down quietly to life under a roof, nor had all thoroughly adapted themselves to the bit and leading rein. Being inexperienced and fearsome, they naturally did not take kindly to the camera, or the man behind it. In the picture of Georgie, race-goers may not recognise an old friend whose matronly proportions are the antithesis of that mould of form Mr. White's beautiful filly was in the day she upset the crack of her season, Wallace, in the All Aged Stakes at Randwick. Georgie has also won renown on the English race courses, where she justified the judgment of the late Mr. H. C. White by winning the Prince Edward Handicap and Cambridgeshire Stakes. The other mare in the set of pictures is Boadicea, a fine looking chestnut by Buckthorpe. She is the property of Mr. James McGill, of Ipswich, and the foal at her side is a bold bay colt by Skopos. The other pictures show a pretty ivy-clad corner of Havilah House and a glimpse of the willow-fringed Havilah Creek.
Mr. Stanley Rouse has disposed of his Atlas gelding Danny Mann to a country sportsman.
The contractors for the additions to the members' stand at Randwick have made rapid progress with their work, and it is fully expected that the stand will be available for use at the A.J.C. off day meeting on April 8.
Messrs. H. E. A. and V. White's private trainer, James Swan, has arrived from Belltrees with a team of nine horses, and has again taken up his quarters at the Coach and Horses Hotel stables, Randwick. The team consists of Cherson, Colorado, Graphite (by Metal), Paraloch (by Lochiel from Parallel), Submarine (by Lennox from Corvette, tho dam of Man o' War), Levuka (by Lochiel from Voma), a three-year-old brother to Cake Walk (by Simmer from Minuet), a two year-old colt, by Prince Chester from Mount Royal, and a gelding named Paragon, by Medallion from Paradise. Cherson, who has been resting at Belltrees since the Christmas meetings, looks remarkably well, and as big as the proverbial alderman. Colorado, too, looks as if he had been taking life easy of late. He and Submarine were out at exercise at Randwick Racecourse, and Cherson did some steady work. Submarine is a shapely bay colt, with any amount of quality and good racing points9
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1922
20 October 1922
HAVILAH BLOOD HORSES.
To the man who loves horses there is no more perfect sight than a group of highly-bred yearlings. Havilah blood horses are running on the good pure limestone country, with clear running water that makes for bone and stamina. There have been many famous sires at this historic old stud.
The memory harks back to Cranbrook, the great 17½ hands stallion, bred by the late Hon. James White, and purchased for Havilah. This big horse was the sire of another big fellow, Atlas, afterwards a classic performer. Skopos (imp.) made his home at Havilah, followed by another great aristocrat, Louis 13th (imp.), by the famous St. Simon. Then there was Developer (imp.), and John O'Lorne (imp.), by Galinule. A later importation was the aristocratically-bred Breakspear (imp.), by Spearmint, winner of the English Derby. There are at present on Havilah two striking stallions. Three, by the Welkin (imp.), a dark bay, is a beautifully turned horse. Well coupled up, deep flanked, with a great shoulder, he displays speed and stamina. His lovely wither runs back on to a full-barrelled frame. His legs and hoofs are almost perfect, good 'ilut bone, beautifully turned pasterns, supported behind by great hocks. He is a thick-set stallion of moderate height.
Newmarket (imp.), a big, up-standing golden chestnut, is a handsome stallion, deep girthed, with a great set of legs. He should get staying stock.
That very able horse Kandos, by Abundance, and out of the famous mare Fulminate, is at present leased out by Mr. Hunter White. It will be recalled that Fulminate, in her day, won the Carrington Stakes and Villiers Stakes. She was sold as a yearling for 425gns.
Mr. Hunter White also bred the mare Ventura, who is by Traquair, and out of Sonoma, the winner of a Breeders' Plate and Gimcrack Stakes. With Harpist he also won the A.J.C. Plate some years ago.
SOORAK.
It is always interesting to recall that the now well-established Soorak, an easy winner of the recent Caulfield (Vic.) Guineas, was bred by Mr. Hunter White on Havilah. Soorak, who is by Woorak, out of So So, has won such good races as the December Stakes, A.J.C. Sires' Produce Stakes, and was just beaten in the late A.J.C. Derby after a gallant run in the best of company.
A promising colt, Mont Clair, now three years old, was bred by, and is owned by Mr. Hunter White. He is by Mountain King, dam Clare, and it is interesting to note that Clair was bred on Havilah, sired by Louis 13th (imp.), a noted Havilah stallion. Mont Clair is showing great promise.
There are many noted brood mares at this stud, and some promising yearlings of proved lineage, including colts by Three, also a big, bold chestnut, by Wallace Isinglass; another chestnut with a lovely set of legs, and a beautiful head, by Prince Foote. The good horse Kandos is responsible for a big bay filly which gives more than usual promise.
Perhaps the most attractive of them is a bay filly by Three, a sire who it will be noted is by the famous Welkin. This bay filly is the dead spit of that flying marvel, Gloaming. She is very well set up, on splendid legs, having great thighs and hocks. She should be very valuable and must prove a stayer.
Havilah is the home of old employees. Some have been born on the place, carrying on the traditions from father to son, and it is these men with their fathers before them that have aided so much in building up the beautiful old estate.
I hope to see Havilah again some day10
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1933
2 November 1933
Famous Thoroughbred Studs
BIRTHPLACES OF CUP WINNERS
X. Widden and Havilah, N.S.W.
ONE of the oldest established studs in New South Wales still sending yearlings to the Sydney sales each season is Widden, which has been owned for many years by Mr. Alfred W. Thompson, cousin of Mr. Herbert S. Thompson, owner of the far-famed Oakleigh stud in the same district. One of the first mares owned by Mr. A. W. Thompson was Vitesse, bred in the early 80's of last century by Mr. James Thompson. As related in the first of these articles on Australian thoroughbreds, Mr. James Thompson began with two mares, Keepsake, by Yattendon from Scandal (imp.), and Adeline, by Kingston from a mare by William Tell. William Tell was a full brother to Archer, the only horse to win two Melbourne Cups. Archer's name is at the head of the list of Melbourne Cup winners, he having won in 1801 and 1802. Vitesse was by Roodee (full brother to the 1877 Victoria Derby winner and Melbourne Cup winner Chester) from Constance, by Cheddar out of Barbara, by Barbarian (full brother to The Barb, one of the most celebrated of all Melbourne Cup winners) from Adeline. Mr. James Thompson bred one foal from Vitesse, and then passed her on to his nephew, Mr. Alfred Thompson. The second foal the new owner bred from her was the Lochiel filly Hirondelle, foaled in 1801. In the last 35 years numerous descendants of Hirondelle have been bred at the Widden stud. It is a good winner-producing line.
Maltster, winner of the Victoria Derby in 1900, and second to his stablemate Clean Sweep for the Melbourne Cup that year, began his stud career at Widden stud, and he remained there until his death on 29th June, 1923. In five seasons Maltster headed the list of winning sires in Australia. When Maltster's sun was nearly set Linacre was installed as chief sire at Widden. He had great success, and became head of the winning sires. At the time Maltster was in his heydey Widden was owned by Messrs. John and William Thompson. Later, when Mr. William Thompson (breeder of Regal Son) had established his Yarram Park stud, at Scone, Widden was carried on by Messrs. John Thompson and Son. When Mr. John Thompson died he was succeeded by his son, Mr. A. W. Thompson, who has had about 40 years' experience as a breeder of blood stock. The sires standing at Widden in the last few seasons have included Moabite, High Art, Silvius and Backwood. Moabite was sold in England to Sir Samuel Hordern for 9000 guineas. High Art, whose dam was a close relative to Valais, was imported for use as a stallion. He did not race in Australia. Backwood was imported in 1923 by Mr. E. L. Baillieu. He won only one race in Australia. It was a good one, for it was the 1924 Melbourne Cup. In the following autumn Backwood fell while racing at Randwick, and he was retired to Widden stud.
Some of the Widden-bred horses are raced in Melbourne by Messrs. A. W. Thompson, E. L. Baillieu and "Constable" (a well-known Sydney identity) in partnership. One of their horses is Jimmie Boy, by Moabite. Silvius was bought in Ireland when a yearling for 1750 guineas by Sir Sidney Kidman, and imported to Australia. He was at the top of his form in the spring of 1927, when he won the Moonee Valley Cup, Melbourne Stakes and C. B. Fisher Plate, and ran second to Trivalve for the Melbourne Cup. At the end of that season Silvius was leased to Mr. Thompson and sent to Sydney. Last autumn Mr. Thompson had 38 yearlings sent to Sydney for sale. All of them were by Silvius, Moabite, Backwood or High Art. Three of these stallions are in use at Widden this season. In April a leading sire of the day was added to the strength of sires in the Widden Valley. This is the handsome Phalaris horse Brazen, sire of Kuvera and Shakuni. For some years Mr. Thompson had at Widden the Phalaris horse Moabite, who sired many speedy winners, Moabite died of a fractured skull at Tarwyn Park in May-last year. Brazen was imported to Australia by Mr. H. C. Rouse, and used at Biraganbil stud, Gulgong, where he got Kuvera, Shakuni, Bronze Hawk, Bronze Eagle and other winners. Mr. Rouse died in April last year, and Biraganbil stud was dispersed twelve months later. Brazen was bought for 4100 guineas by Messrs. A. W. Thompson, H. S. Thompson and P. C. Basche.
Three of the best performed of the New South Wales horses in Melbourne for the Spring meeting are Rogilla, Dermid and Closing Time. Each of these was bred at Mr. Hunter White's Havilah stud, near Mudgee, N.S.W. For many years Mr. White has been a member of the A.J.C. committee, to which Mr. A. W. Thompson was elected a few years ago. An uncle of Mr. Hunter White was Mr. James White, who died in 1890. From 1877, when Chester won the Victoria Derby and Melbourne Cup, up till the time of Mr. James White's death, that sportsman had remarkable success on the turf as an owner. In the 43 years since 1890 his tally of notable successes in Australia has never been equalled. The last great bearer of the famous blue and white jacket was Carbine's doughty rival Abercorn. These two met six times at weight for age, and each won three of those races. In the only handicap in which they met Carbine was successful. It was the Sydney Cup, won by Carbine, three years, 9.0. Abercorn, four years, 9.4, was third.
Mr. James White's brother, Mr. H. C. White, acquired the Havilah stud in 1880. Havilah is the Biblical word for "land of gold." Among the many stud masters who pioneered the breeding of pure stock in Australia on skilful lines, Mr. H. C. White stood out as a master mind. Since his death in February, 1905, Havilah has been carried on with conspicuous success by his son, Mr. Hunter White. When Mr. H. C. White purchased Havilah the estate was stocked with one of the best-known merino flocks in Australia. From this foundation Mr. White developed and improved the Havilah merinoes to a foremost place in the wool industry. Havilah is typical sheep country, and for many years Mr. Hunter White has bred from his mares only in alternate years. Such policy gives mares on comparatively poor horse breeding country a better chance to nourish their offspring.
On several occasions H. C. White journeyed to England and made his own selections of stud stock. Devons and Here ford cattle have made their mark at Havilah. Mr. White also selected good class thoroughbreds in England. He was not only successful in winning with English-bred horses in their own country, but he also carried off many races, including the coveted Cambridgeshire Stakes at Newmarket, and other important races, with Australian-bred horses. His Cambridgeshire winner was Georgie, the third dam of Rogilla. Mr. H. C. White was one of the most enterprising breeders in Australia, and his many importations of stallions and mares have had far-reaching effect on Australian bloodstock. He first bred thoroughbreds at Woodlands, on the Upper Hunter. In 1872 he purchased from Mr. Otto Baldwin, of Durham Court, Manilla, N.S.W., the English mare Valetta, and three of her daughters for £100. From these he bred many winners at Woodlands, where he used Roodee (brother to Chester), Lecturer (the famous grey son of Sappho), Meteor and other stallions to beget remounts and utility horses. The first of the Valetta family to bring Mr. White into public notice as a horse breeder was Pentagon, by Roodee from daughter of Valetta. Later came the famous Valetta descendants Paris and Bungebah, both bred at Woodlands. Mrs. H. C. White owned Paris from foalhood, and for her won two Caulfield Cups, an Epsom Handicap and an A.J.C. Metropolitan. Later Paris was sent to England and returned to Australia. Bunge bah, who was sold untried to Mr. A. Busby, became one of the greatest of Australian sprinters. Since Mr. H. C. White moved his bloodstock to Havilah, the Valetta line has had its successes down to the present day. Among the many mares imported from England were Muta, Felucca, Lady Randolph, Antithusiast, Minting Queen and Georgie's daughter by Melton. In conjunction with Havilah has been used Wollara, a property of some 10,000 acres, and having a double frontage to the Goulburn River.
When Mr. H. C. White died while on a visit to Hobart in February, 1905, Mr. Hunter White had already had years of experience in controlling Havilah estate and stock. The stallions in use when Havilah became his properly were the importations Skopos, Louis XIII. and Impetus, and Australian bred Atlas. The English horses got some good class winners. One of the earliest of Mr. Hunter White's successes on the Victorian Turf was when the great steeplechaser Bellis won the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase in 1905. Since the days of Skopos, Louis XIII. and Impetus, a number of stallions have been imported to Havilah. Among them was Brakespear, one of the first horses bred by King George V. after he ascended the throne. Brakespear got a number of winners, but was not an outstanding success. Mr. White did much better when he bought in England in 1924 the three-year-old colts Tipple and Roger De Busli. Retired to the Havilah stud, each of these horses quickly made his mark as a sire. About the time of their arrival the chief stallion in use at Havilah was The Welkin's son Three. Three sired very fast stock. His best daughter was the brilliant mare Figure, raced on lease by the Sydney trainer J. A. Donohue. Another very fast daughter of Three bred at Havilah was Trice. Leased to the Countess of Stradbroke, Trice was trained at Mentone by J. Holt, and she carried Lady Stradbroke's colors to victory in the Standish Handicap and other races. At the end of their turf days Trice and Figure were returned to Havilah, where they are now brood mares.
Tippler and Roger de Busli quickly made their mark as sires. Almost without exception the Tippler stock have been only sprinters. They are very fast. Though Mr. White sells a few yearlings each autumn in Sydney, he leases many of those he breeds. Two that he still owns are Dermid, leased to J. A. Donohue, and Closing Time, leased to J. T. Jamieson. The Roger De Busli horses have much better stamina than the Tipplers. The best two sons of Roger De Busli are Rogilla and Oro. Oro is trained for Mr. White by J. King. Rogilla is held on lease by the Newcastle trainer L. Haigh. When Rogilla was a youngster he was presented by Mr. White to his son for picnic racing. With the depression, however, picnic racing in New South Wales was suspended and the gelding was then leased by Mr. White, jun., to L. Haigh. Rogilla is at present the best horse over all distances in training in Australia. With Dermid in the Cantala Stakes and Rogilla and Oro in the Melbourne Cup, the possibility of Havilah bred horses winning the two principal handicaps at the V.R.C. Spring meeting is not remote.
Studs previously reviewed in these columns are: - Oakleigh and Sunnyside, New South Wales, 4th October; Northwood Park, Victoria, 9th October; Kia-ora, New South Wales, 11th October; Rook House, Victoria, 13th October; Maribyrnong and Wariaby, Victoria, 17th October; Underbank, Victoria, 19th October; The Nook, Yandra and Riverside, Victoria, 24th October; Toolamba and St. Albans, Victoria, 26th October; Towong Hill, Victoria; and Khancoban, New South Wales, 31st October11
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1985
6 April 1985
20 April 1985