This is the third of an occasional series of articles reviewing multiple classic producing broodmares with five or more offspring in results information as shown on the Classic Families (CF) database. A number of these mares won classic races, became the dams of classic winners/progeny and contributed to the genetic inheritance of numerous outstanding performers.
SOMETHING HONEST (1917 Honest Huon/Bowra’s Freda), Australian family of Bowra’s Freda (A201), 2:20.9; 12 foals, 10 winners. Breeder : H. Campbell, Werris Creek, NSW. Folas bred by : L. Horton, Tocumwai, NSW
Sire Honest Huon was bred by CH Fitzgerald, Geraldine Stud Dubbo and owned by Samuel Jordan Small of Marsfield. Another product of Huon Junior/Young Leila from Honesty mare Leila, Honest Huon’s full brothers included Denver Huon, Wilfred Denver and dual gaited Strathbar. His best time was only 2:28½, winner of two Epping Hcps and a NSW Flying event at Epping Racecourse. He went onto sire 64 pacing winners including Third Floor (WA New Year Hcp); dam sire of Something Honest’s progeny listed below [Alva Lou, Barney Doolan, Bobby Linden, Jean Pronto, Linden Lou, Wantio, Welika, Yulika], Pay Huon, Victor Derby. Honest Huon died on 31 January 1919, aged fourteen from an infection contracted during stud work
This is the family of Bowras Freda, dam of six foals for two winners in Green Strike 2:17.3 (full brother of Something Honest) and Werrie 2:27.0, bred by H. Campbell, Werris Creek, NSW. The most prominent family member would be Radiant Oro (2:03.9), WA Country/South West/WA (heat) Derbies, WA (twice)/Tattersalls/Winter/James Brennan Cups and successful sire/dam sire. He was only small but a favourite with Perth crowds.
Note : classic winning progeny (six) of classic producing mare Something Honest are underlined.
A “wonderful broodmare” (Vic Dullard), the maternal line descendants of family of Something Honest follow – male progeny included :
- Wantio (2:15.4, brown gelding 1928 by Pedro Pronto), NSW Derby
- Barney Doolan (2:08.0, brown gelding 1932 by Cobber O’Mine), NSW Derby (heat), Snowton Cup (off 30 yards established Australian record for 1½m, 2:08.0MR [claimed to be a world record], among first 100 AUS performers in 2:10.0), nine Richmond Hcps (Ascot, Victoria)
- sire Bobby Linden (2:13¼, brown horse 1937 by Robert Derby), SA/VIC Derbies, TAS Trotting/Brighton Cups, sire of Rapidus (SA Breeders Plate – 2)
- her final foal was colt Linden Derby (2:21.6)
Something Honest’s fillies included :
- Yulika (2:17.0, black filly 1923 by Adonis), 4th dam of Binola Boy (2:00.5, $93,657, Narrogin Cup)
- Jean Pronto (2:12.0, black filly 1926 by Don Pronto); VIC Derby; dam of four winners from eight foals
- The Critic (TAS Westbury Cup), sire of Derby Royale (SA Trotters Derby, ID heat/Trotters Final, SA/Shepparton Trotters Cups], Silver Echo (Leeton/Wangaratta Cups)
- Joe Linden (2:15.4); Jean Linden (2:20.0)
- Noble Jean (2:16.0), dam of Noble Welcome (2:03.4, $154,750, NSW Country Championship – 3, SW & Riverina Derby), Noble Doolan (Temora Cup), Noble Creed (Leeton Breeders Plate – 2); grand dam of Robin Jean [Junee Oaks]; 5th dam of Lachie Bravo (WA North East Derby), latest group winner from family in 2004
- Sue Linden, dam of Welcome Raid (good SA winner); grand dam of Robyn Linden (Junee Oaks), Split The Deck (TAS Pacing Championship heat)
- Honest Louise (2:26¼, black filly 1931 by Louis Direct), dam of five foals
- Welika (2:17.0, bay filly 1933 by Dalla Derby), full sister of Linden Lou, dam of four foals
- Linden Lou (2:10.4TT, black filly 1934 by Dalla Derby), five Richmond Flying‘s, Richmond Hcp at Ascot. Claimed to be a pretty mare and great sprinter as evidenced by Richmond Flying victories and 2:10.4TT set at Melbourne Show
- Alva Lou (unraced, 1935 Louis Direct); dam of five winners from ten foals
- Flash Parade (2:11¼), WA Cummins/Allen & Brimage Cups at Kalgoorlie; Smoke Signal (2:18.0); Dingle Bay (2:08.0); Wild Wave (2:10.5); Alvas Daughter (2:08.0)
- Alva Oro, dam of Radiant Oro (2:03.9, 35 wins, $65k+), WA Country/South West/WA (heat) Derbies, WA (twice; once from front, other from 36 yards)/Tattersalls/Winter/James Brennan Cups; dam sire of Manageable (1:58.4, $316,811, WA Lord Mayors/August/Botra/Navy/Winter Cups, Western Gateway, Coca Cola Pace, 4/5yo Championship), Pythagoras (2:08.0, WA Sires Produce – 3, WA Derby (heat))
Radiant Oro - Lou Collette, dam of Adios Lou (WA South West Derby), Lou Travis (WA Allen & Brimage/Hannans Cups); grand dam of Major Upset (WA North East Derby); 3rd dam of La Kista (WA Sires Produce – 2f), Maple Kiss (1:57.7, WA Breeders Stakes)
- Shiela Doolan (2:19.0, bay filly by Cobber O’Mine)
Next Article in series on Classic Winner Producing Mares : LULU LOVE
Peter Craig
5 April 2017
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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