DR GM SLATE AND HUON

In the first of this series on Dr George Martin Slate, we looked at his life and particularly involvement in trotting in Australia. The most important decision for Australian trotting made by Dr Slate was his foresight in selecting Huon for importation from North America. This second article in the series on Dr GM Slate will contain an outline of Huon’s impact, in particular his major players that helped create his dynasty.

Huon had his peculiarities notably that he was afraid of the dark. In daylight he was well behaved and quiet but in the evenings he would go berserk. To appease him, a light was left on in his stall at night. From limited opportunities Huon left 32 winners (20 in Australia, 12 in New Zealand) when standing at stud at Mulgrave (1887/8), Fairfield (1889 to late 1890‘s) and New Zealand late 1890’s until his death in 1901. A number of his stock ended up in New Zealand, thirteen of his sons were sires, they sired fifty three successful sires themselves. Huon’s mares and their daughters left countless winners featuring in many prominent pedigrees through the decades. The Huon’s were noted for their toughness and many were narrow chested like their sire, a trait horsemen of the time attributed to their being better stayers. Huon appears in the pedigrees of nine of the twenty one winners of the Melbourne Thousand.

The following will be only a cursory look at Huon, his most prominent progeny and descendants, best set out initially in the table below :

HUON (1879 Almont Jr/Polly, T2:28¼US, T2:32.0 AUS), sire of 32 winners, 13 siring sons including :

Huon Junior (1888 dam Lucilla, T2:24.5TT, p2:30.0), sire of 172 pacers, 2 trotters, 31 siring sons

Denver Huon (1904 dam Young Leila, 2:12.0), sire of 40 pacers, 1 trotter

Lulu Boy (1907 dam Greta, 2:17.4), sire of 157 pacers, 1 trotter

Kernel Lu (gelding)

Lulu Love, dam of Acclaim, Admirer, Amorous

Royal Lulu, sire of 24 winners

Royal Again, sire of 133 winners

Machine Again, sire of 42 winners (Blue Pennant, gelding)

Royals Echo, sire of 21 winners

Storm Cloud, sire of 33 winners

Dark David, sire of 24 winners

Wrinkle, sire of 34 winners

Wrinkle Lu

Marble Arch (1909 dam Greta, 2:15.5), sire of 52 pacers, 3 trotters

Marble Bath (gelding)

Marble Ridge (gelding)

Rock Huon (1902 dam Greta, 2:13.5), sire of 216 pacers, 6 trotters

Machine Brick, sire of 97 winners

Wilverley, sire of 33 pacers

Bandon, sire of 7 winners

Wilveranji, sire of 53 winners

Wilver Mint, sire of 33 winners

Magic Mint, sire of 8 winners

Magic Embrace, sire of 5 winners

Come On Magic, gelding

Globe (1889 dam Lucilla, T2:24.5), winner of one race only (2 miles) at West Wyalong, sire of 18 winners

Fidget (by Vancleve, 2:30.0), mated with Globe to produce

Springheel, unraced dam of Buz Buz, Lord Nepean, Mambrino’s Last, Derbyite, Spring Bells and

Globe Derby** (Mambrino Derby/Springheel), sire of 313 pacers, 2 trotters

** Globe Derby story has been told and retold in individual books, copious articles etc over the years and will not be retold here. Suffice to say that Globe, the dam sire of Globe Derby was a full brother to Huon Junior (both by Huon from Lucilla). Instead we will concentrate on Huon‘s major exploits.

Huon did not have the same impact as his siring sons in Globe and Huon Junior but with Dr Slate’s imported mare Lucilla he obviously clicked. Often both these full brothers appear in the pedigrees of many a well performed individual during the first half of the twentieth century. Globe normally on the paternal/siring side while Huon Junior more often appears on the maternal side of a pedigree. Huon was the sire of Myosotis (New Brighton Hcp), Goldust (WA Easter Cup), Miss Huon (Otahuhu Cup in 1897, first of numerous Australian bred winners of this race over next five decades) and dam sire of Jewel Land (WA Cup), Daphne Wildwood (Hawera Cup) and Huon Tux (Tasmanian Trotting Cup).

All of Huon’s progeny referred to below are male unless otherwise stated.

Huon Junior left four prominent males and a grand daughter who each exerted considerable influence. Huon Junior was undoubtedly Huon’s best having been foaled in 1888 of parents imported by Dr Slate in Huon, sire and Lucilla, dam. Huon Junior and his full brother Globe were bred by James (JA) Roberts although both were reared on Dr Slate’s Fairfield property. Roberts later disposed of Lucilla and Huon Junior when three years of age to solicitor Charles H Fitzgerald (Dubbo).

Huon Junior was not raced until five years of age, winning his first start at Kennington, NSW on 13 September 1893 and next raced as an eight year old.  Huon Junior was dual gaited : T2:24½, NSW trotters record set at Brighton, NSW when defeating imported American mare Hattie S in a £500 match race (21 September 1896); after success in July 1898, a further four year gap before raced again aged thirteen years this time as a pacer, setting NSW pacing record of 2:30.0 (2 May 1902), all the while since aged five standing at stud. Retired having raced on only twelve occasions for seven victories and three placings, a sire of 174 winners [two trotters], leading colonial bred NSW stallion pre WWI, several top class sons. His best performed son on the track Denver Huon [2:12.0],sire of top pacers and very successful sires Rock Huon, Lulu Boy, Marble Arch while broodmare Miss Fitz left six winners. Huon Junior died in 1914.

Huon Junior’s pacing sons made Huon the leading male line in Australia until Globe Derby’s appearance. Huons siring line continued well into the 1970’s with his last major success being Machine Again, sire of 42 including West Australian grey Blue Pennant although Dark David did sire twenty four winners with his last foals in 1968. The last foals of the Huon Junior line descending from Rock Huon, were those of Magic Embrace in 1991 in WA with his final winner being Come On Magic at Northam 14 July 1999. Huon Junior left several daughters and descendants who founded fine families e.g. Lulu Love (see later).

Denver Huon (2:12.0, chestnut horse 1904, from Young Lelia), was bred by Charles H Fitzgerald, Solicitor of Dubbo. Setting an Australian mile record for a two year old of 2:37.5 in 1907 at Ascot (VIC), winner of Victorian features at Ascot/Richmond and NSW at Epping/Victoria Park, won New Brighton Hcp in Christchurch in 1913 before settling in NZ for further stud duties around 1915. ] Exhibited both speed and staying prowess – 1m in 2:12.0, 1½m in 3.23, and two miles in 4.28½. Sire of 40 pacers (12 in Australia) and one trotting winner, they included Imprint (NZMTC National Cup Hcp), Pluto (Ashburton Hcp), Quality (NZMTC Presidents Hcp).

Lulu Boy (2:17 2/5, bay horse 1907), one of five full siring brothers by Huon Junior/Greta by Vancleve – the others being Dexter, Galtimore, Rock Huon, Marble Arch. Lulu Boy was Greta’s best performed racehorse winning Melbourne Thousand 1912 (£1,000) and NSW Flying Hcps at Epping. His major win by a good margin was in “John Wren’s” Melbourne Thousand, richest race of its time, from a 25 yard handicap ridden by his trainer JE Phair after surviving a protest. He raced against his full brothers Dexter and Marble Arch on a number of occasions.

Lulu Boy was sold in 1916 to stand at stud in NSW (Cowra 1917, Wagga 1924, Goulburn 1925, Junee 1926-1929); imported to Tasmania by Edgar Tatlow standing at Derby Lodge Stud, Hagley 1930; Eric Cochran, Victoria (Ballarat 1931 – 1935); died 19 December 1935.  He left 158 winners (1 trotter)

• sire of Belalie/Lulu Mick (WA Cup), Kernel Lu (ID heat), Lulu Ribbons/Mylandra (Fremantle Cup), Lulureen (VIC Derby), Wrinkle (ID heats (2)/2nd Final)
• dam sire of multiple Derby winners Admirer, Amorous (Hunter Cup), Acclaim (all from Lulu Love (see later)
• Lulu Boy’s best siring son was grey stallion Royal Lulu, previously named Lulu Roy (T2:12.0TT at Junee Show, 3rd VIC Derby), died aged seven having spent two seasons at stud covering 100 mares

1. sire of 24 pacers (35 winner producing mares) including Royal Again (2:14.0, WA Cup heat/final; sire of 133 pacers; Eurolie Boy/Hailstorm [NSW Derby], Machine Again [sire of 39 winners, Blue Pennant ID heat/third Final], dam sire of Mineral Spring [VIC Derby, Hunter Cup, 2 ID heats/second Final)
2. Royal’s Echo (2:09.0), sire of 21 pacing winners including dam sire of Highfield
3. Royals Hope, sire of Lews Hope, ID heat/second in final to James Scott
4. dam sire of Belgrave (NSW Derby), Chico (WA Cup), Active Ayr/Nevamaid/Para Derby (ID heat winners)

Lulu Boy’s full sister Maphada was a successful broodmare, SA Trotters Derby, SA Trotters Cup and ID Trotting Grand Final winner Derby Royale a notable descendant

Marble Arch (2:15½, bay horse 1909), Peter Riddle trained him for third in Sydney Thousand at four together with two wins including a very quick, for its day, 2:15½ mile. Taken to NZ at five, he raced twice at NZ Cup meeting at Addington, unplaced over 1½m and second to Manderene in 2:15.0 mile. His remaining eleven five year old starts yielded three wins, his last lifetime win at Victoria Park, Kensington matching his best of 2:15½ (29 May 1915, seasons best). Marble Arch undertook stud duties in Newcastle and Maitland. Sire of 55 winners (3 trotters)

• Marble Bath, ID heats (2) driven by Sutton McMillan (scratched in final), TAS Easter Cup/Easter Plate

• Marble Ridge (2:11.0), won a considerable number of NSW feature races from late 1920’s to late 1930’s (raced from 15 September 1927 until 25 July 1938) setting Australian record number of wins with 52 NSW victories, 46 placings, track records set at Victoria and Harold Parks. His career wins exclude many performances at Shows where he was also a winner for his trainer/driver top reinsman Jerry McDonald

Rock Huon (2:13½, bay horse 1902), mixed racing and stud duties throughout NSW, starting with Western Districts Show Circuit (Bathurst, Wellington, Dubbo) until his initial registered meeting start at Bathurst, aged nine (19 June 1911). His best time (2:13½) was recorded in a dead heat with Van Roy over a mile in a FFA at Bathurst Show. Retired as a 10yo – 34 starts over five seasons (four at registered meetings) for twelve outright victories and two dead heats plus sixteen placings, often racing against full brothers Dexter and Lulu Boy. Rock Huon was a top sire for nearly twenty years siring 222 winners (6 trotters)

• Machine Brick, 2:10 4/5TT (Otahuhu Cup, Sydney Thousand from 85yds behind at Victoria Park driven by Jack [JD] Watts in his first big career win as trainer/driver), 1½m Harold Park record of 3:17.0, placed in 2:05 4/5 in NZ. He stood at stud in NSW until death in 1938. Sire of 97 winners – Auto Machine (VIC Derby, Otahuhu Cup, sire), Country Boy (NSW Derby), Machine Gun (Otahuhu Cup), Wilverley (VIC Derby, sire of Wilvernaji 2:03.0TT); Machine Brick was dam sire of Andi (ID heat), Double Note (Fremantle Cup), General Dixie (VIC Derby), Machine Again [sire of Blue Pennant, ID heat, Easter/Stratton/Northam/James Brennan Cups], Peak Hill (NSW Derby), Tycoon (SA Derby). Machine Brick’s daughter The Sequel was third dam of Paleface Adios while Apmat has three strains of Machine Brick blood in his first five generations
• Quartz (WA Easter Cup twice), The Gum Nut (VIC Trotters Cup), Western King (NZ International Hcp, 2:07.8)
• Rock Huon was dam sire of Lilas Walla/Monty Blue (Fremantle Cup), Marvel Lee (WA Cup), Miss Chicago (WA Derby), Royal Walla (SA Derby) and NZ pacers Billy Sea/Rock Burn, trotters Captain Bolt/Great Way/Lee Berry/Tiger Salve

Lulu Love (unraced), whose major influence came through her male progeny although her fillies did bred on. All except Wrinkle Lu stood at stud with three of them winning SA Derby (Acclaim, Admirer, Amorous) :

• Acclaim (2:11.0, brown colt 1946 by Miraculous), VIC Sapling, SA Derby (heat/final), VIC Derby; sire of three winners, dam sire of 18 winners including Coed, grand dam of Rockleigh Victory (1:56.5, $368,303, NSW Sapling, Tatlow/VIC Sires Stakes – 2c, AUS/SA/WA Derbies)
• Admirer (2:10.0, brown colt 1936 by Robert Derby), the first of Lulu Love’s progeny from the Globe Derby stallion, Robert Derby sire of 278 winners. His nine three year old wins included SA/VIC/Snowtown/Warragul Derbies, SA Sires Produce, Goulburn Champion Stakes, NSW Derby (heat). The sire of 74 winners standing in South Australia and prolific dam sire of 77 winners including

1. Minuteman (2:06.2, $66,306, Hunter [twice]/SA Cups, ID heat/Pacing Final; sire of 81 winners, dam sire of 82 winners Fissett (VIC Sapling Stakes, heat NSW Derby)
2. Son of Nancy (2:03.4, Kilmore/Hunter Cups)
3. Admirers daughter Dixie Love left the quartet of Future Intangible (2:05.6, VIC Derby, Kilmore Cup); Future Monarch (2:05.4, Italian Cup, dam sire of Aberdeen QLD Winter Cup); Future Raider (2:06.0, VIC Derby heat/final, ID Pacing Consolation (twice), SA Cup); You Crovottie (2:06.4, Kilmore Cup; dam sire of Imathreat 1:57.2, $202,119, Kilmore Cup )

• Amorous (TT2:06.0, Melbourne Showgrounds, 1943 by Robert Derby). The winner at two of NSW Sapling (heat/final), SA Derby (heat/final), Easter Gift (won his first eight starts), sprint heat of 1949 Adelaide ID’s before placing third to Single Direct in the final, Hunter Cup, ID Consolation, overall winner of 41 (three at Harold Park, nine at Melbourne Showgrounds, thirteen at Wayville). Sire of 32 winners, Laughing Rose (VIC Oaks), Moonstone Bay (2:02.8,two ID heats); dam sire of 56 winners and sire of grand dam of Vanderport (1:59.1, $285,770,NSW/AUS Derbies, Golden Nugget, ID heat)
• Silver Spring (2:19.6, 1942 by Springfield Globe), sire of 25 winners, dam sire of 37 winners
• Wrinkle Lu (2:15.2, 1935 by Wrinkle, first foal), SA New Years Gift. His sire Wrinkle (2:12.6) recorded two 1937 Adelaide ID heat wins over 1½ (2:11 4/5) and two miles (2:12 3/5 SA record defeating Lawn Derby, actually beating the brilliant Lawn Derby home in all three heats). In the 1937 Adelaide Grand Final he was beaten a half head by Ben Coram’s Dan’s Son. Note – Huon’s progeny included 1937 Adelaide ID heat winners Kernel Lu (Lulu Boy), Marble Bath (Marble Arch) and Wrinkle (Lulu Boy).

Huon‘s winners in New Zealand included :

BEAUTY (dam Beauty) – winner of two races, first at Greymouth TC, March 1898 Midland Hcp and event by same name a year later in Midland Hcp at Plumpton Park, March 1899 (NZ earnings of £68)

CORAL HUE (1900g Coral) – winner of four races; two as two year old – New Brighton TC Dash Hcp (1 mile 2:40.0) and NZMTC Juvenile Stakes (1 mile, 2:49 3/5, won by 100 yards) both in 1903 for owner E Bowe and driver Manvers Burton (Manny, MB) Edwards; at three winner of NZMTC Speedwell Hcp (1 mile 2:29.0) for owner/driver Manny Edwards and as a four year old won NZMTC Telegraph Hcp over a mile in best time of 2:38.0 for Manny Edwards (total NZ earnings £227)

ELSA HUON (1900f Whisp) – winner of four races commencing with Nelson JC in March 1905 (Harness Trot Hcp), South Wairarapa Charitable TC June 1905 (Kempton Park Trot Hcp mile in 2:50.0) and two races at NZMTC meetings, Ladies Bracelet Hcp in August 1905 and Speedwell Hcp over 1 mile in 2:25 4/5 in April 1906 (total NZ earnings of £192)

EXPLANATION (1894g Childe Harold mare) – raced for a number of years in New Zealand, winning several races for various trainers; at Alexandra Park, Otahuhu TC Maiden Trot Hcp (in saddle) and Auckland Trotting Club’s Glasgow Trot Hcp (in harness) both in late 1901; at the NZMTC Easter meetings of 1903, won both miles under saddle, Electric and Telegraph Hcps; in 1905, winner at Gore RC of Hcp Trot; 1907 Winton Hcp (total NZ earnings £230½)

HINAU (1901g Kentucky mare) – Plumpton Park wins in 1906 (Ladies Bracelet and Progressive Hcp), New Brighton victories in 1906 (Burwood/Brighton Hcps) and 1907 (Telegraph Hcp) (total NZ earnings of £297)

HUADAPHNE (1899f Daphne) – winner of two races for owner R Hart and driver Manny Edwards at Greymouth TC (Trial Hcp) in saddle over two miles and Ashburton TC (Wakanui Hcp) over 1½m (total NZ earnings £53)

HUON KING (1899g Rita) – winner at NZMTC April 1905 meeting of Express Hcp under saddle, 1 mile with 9 second hcp in 2:32 2/5 for owner J Cooper and driver Free Holmes (total NZ earnings £98)

HUON PRINCE (1894h Lilla G) – apart from victory and second for Dr Slate at Canterbury Trotting Club (CTC) meetings 26 December 1899 and 1 January 1900, winner of Anniversary Hcp at Tahuna Park, Dunedin in February 1901 for owner G McClatchy (likely lessee) and driver M Albaugh (total NZ earnings £150)

LENAPE (1901f Lena) – won three races, all at Plumpton Park, Progressive Hcp (January 1906 and 1909); 1910 Stewards Hcp (total NZ earnings of £214)

MISS HUON (188-f Maggie) – raced well into her twilight teenage years with first NZ start coming at Alexandra Park when unplaced in Maiden Trot in December 1895. All her victories were recorded at Alexandra Park and all but one were at Otahuhu TC meetings, the first of which was the February 1897 Otahuhu Cup over 2 miles from a forty six second hcp for owner/driver L. Goodwin. Her lone Auckland Trotting Club victory came next on New Years Eve 1898 in the Telegraph Trot Hcp (in saddle) for new owner/driver for the rest of her career, A Lowe.

Her next win came in the Otahuhu TC Telegraph Hcp (in saddle) in November 1899 on protest as Cob who had won by 24 yds was disqualified for galloping. Miss Huon’s remaining nine wins at Otahuhu TC meetings were spread over a lengthy period as follows :

Otahuhu Spring Trot Hcp, November 1901

Electric Trot Hcp (in saddle), November 1903

High Class Trot Hcp (saddle or harness), February 1904

Suburban Trot Hcp, December 1904

Telephone Trot Hcp, December 1905

Tramway/Telegraph Trot Hcps, same day February 1906

Otahuhu Spring Trot, November 1906

Mangere Trot, February 1908

Miss Huon’s total NZ earnings were £495

MYOSOTIS (1901f Georgina) – the winner of four races and TT in first season of racing as a four year old in 1905/6. Victories recorded in New Brighton TC Advance Hcp for owner JG Seaton and driver Alfred (AG) Wilson whose training property was named Myosotis Lodge, Christchurch RC ‘S Avon Hcp Trot over a mile in 2:32.0, Plumpton Park TC Electric Hcp (1 mile in 2:24 3/5), NZMTC Telegraph Hcp (1 mile in 2:15 2/5) plus a match against time at Tahuna Park, Dunedin on 16 May 1906 when recording 2:16 2/5 breaking the track record of 2:17.0. At five, winner of New Brighton TC Brighton Hcp over two miles for new owner TS Manson and Alfred Wilson, winning by 50 yards off a three second handicap. As a six year old won Plumpton Park’s Telegraph Hcp over a mile in 2:16 2/5 while at seven won the New Brighton TC’s Telegraph Hcp by five lengths in her fastest mile rate of 2:13.0. This established a new NZ/Australasian pacing mare’s mile record of 2:13.0 on 13 March 1909 (earlier she had recorded 2:24.4 at Plumpton Park in 1905, reduced to 2:15.4 at Addington in 1906). Total NZ earnings of £411

NARRAGANSETT (1899g Lilla G, full brother to Huon Prince), a Plumpton Park winner in November 1898 of Pony Hcp over two miles (total NZ earnings £41)

POLLY HUON (1892f Hattie Benton), won her first three starts in NZ – Lancaster Park Amateur TC (Maiden Hcp, April 1898), CTC Progressive Hcp (May 1898) and CTC Addington Hcp (August 1898) for owner T Popham and driver M Albaugh. With a change of ownership to GW Pearce but with Albaugh still driving her, won two mile event at Lancaster Park Amateur TC April 1899 meeting. Final victory came in CTC’S 1 mile Telegraph Hcp on New Years Day 1900 in career best 2:29.0 off 10 second hcp for new owner J Petite and driver Manny Edwards, same day Dr Slate won with both Huon Prince and Sylvehue (total NZ earnings £316)

SYLVEHUE (1893f Sylvia) – owned by William McMillan, a lifelong friend of Slate’s; apart from two victories for Dr Slate at Christchurch, also won Jubilee Hcp at Boxing Day 1900 NZMTC meeting over 2 miles for owner W McMillan and driver T Price (total NZ earnings £214); dam of Huon Hue

URANUS (1895g Silver Cloud) a Plumpton Park winner of the Dash Hcp in November 1901 over one mile in 2:34 4/5 for owner/trainer Dave Price of Ribbonwood fame (total NZ earnings £50)

Noteworthy, a meeting at Epping a month after Dr Slate’s death contained no fewer than forty one direct descendants of Huon out of a total card of 111 starters.

Locally bred stallions on back of Globe Derby and Huon lines dominated until 1960’s which saw changes with an increase in the number of imported stallions due to moves towards greater juvenile speed racing. Local colonial stallions did not possess the same abundance of early speed possessed by these latest imports. Globe Derby was the greatest and most influential sire in Australian history but Dr Slate’s Huon merit’s a very worthy mention as the storyline that unfolded above and the earlier article on Dr Slate reveals.

The final article in the series on Dr GM Slate will look at several interesting stories involving Dr Slate from the early days of Australian trotting.

Peter Craig

19 July 2017

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