This is the sixth and final article covering the life and racing times of George Johnson Barton, the leviathan and colourful Dunedin owner. Part Six looks at Barton’s thoroughbred horses.
George Barton’s Thoroughbreds –
Included in George Barton’s total stake earnings of £15,228½ as leading owner in the 1958/9 season, were £11,246 relating to his best ever galloper Ark Royal (1952). The season’s leading stake earner was Froth a 1954 Faux Tirage/Home Brew filly with earnings of £12,405.
In the thoroughbred ranks in NZ, trainers employed by Barton included SG Ware; Jim (JW) Pankhurst snr in late 1940’s/early 1950’s; following his death Ashley (AI) Powell, an uncle of Maureen & Brian Anderton was associated with George Barton’s top galloper Ark Royal (1952). He employed his own thoroughbred trainer in Australia at the height of his racing endeavours (won Gp1 races in Australia). He gave up Australian gallops due to a case of suspicious running of his horse.
The best galloper raced by George Barton was Ark Royal. Interestingly, he raced two gallopers with this name, the 1924 version who was to win the 1927 Dunedin Guineas and the 1952 version who went onto be his best performer. The career of the second Ark Royal is reviewed below :
Ark Royal – 1952c (Marco Polo II/Battle Cruiser) – 16 wins
Purchased for 325 guineas, Ark Royal was trained throughout his career by Ashley Powell and ridden in the majority of his races by leading NZ jockey Bob (RJ) Skelton. As a 3yo (1955/56), his 5 wins included his maiden victory at Ashburton; 1955 Dunedin Guineas (Bob Skelton rode sixth placed Persia); 1955 Canterbury Gold Cup; 1956 Oamaru Cup; 1956 CJC Great Autumn Hcp. He recorded seconds in the NZ Derby, Wellington Guineas, Gloaming and Trentham Stakes, and was third in the Great Northern Derby..
At four (1956/7), Ark Royal had three wins. He was taken to Australia as part of the Barton team comprising Ark Royal, Persia, Nuclear and Peril who were stabled at the former Mentone track. He was aimed at the Melbourne Cup for which he was an early favourite although weighted at 9st for a 4yo. This proved to be a disastrous campaign for Ark Royal, commencing with a second in the 1956 Craiglee Stks at Flemington (now Makybe Diva Stks 2007 Gp2); well beaten third in the 1956 Underwood Stakes (from 1948 at Caulfield, previously Werribee 1924 – 1947, noted as a principal race, Gp1 since 1979); ½head second in the 1956 Turnbull Stakes on a soft Flemington track (principal race until 1979, then Gp2, now Gp1). At this stage Skelton had been concerned with the entire’s unconvincing form. Ark Royal failed to pay a dividend (8th) in the 1956 Cox Plate on the tight turning Moonee Valley track (principal race, Gp1 from 1979). Under heavy pressure following severe criticism of his riding of Ark Royal, Skelton returned home. Ark Royal’s next start was the 1956 Hotham Hcp**, Flemington run three days prior to the Melbourne Cup on what is now Derby Day. Handled by Australian jockey Reg Heather, Ark Royal triple dead heated with Pandie Sun and Fighting Force.
Ark Royal was included in the field for the 1956 Melbourne Cup won by Evening Peal, but he never got to race being scratched after he went berserk in the float on his way to the course.
** (1869 – 1978 Hotham Hcp; 1979 – 1993 Dalgety Hcp; 1994 – 1995 Crown Quality; 1996 Ten News Stakes; 1997 Lean Cuisine Quality; 1998 – 2008 Saab Quality and 2009 to date Lexus Stks ; a principal race 1869 – 1978; Gp 3 1979 – 1980; Gp 2 1981 – 2003; Gp 3 2004 onwards; 12 furlongs 1869 – 1971; 2500m 1972 onwards)
Returned to New Zealand, Ark Royal had three runs as a late 4yo for two wins at Wingatui and Trentham. His 5yo season (1957/8) produced two wins. He ran second in the 1958 Invercargill Cup at his third outing in this campaign. His major win this season came in the first of his two 1958 James Hazlett Gold Cups at Wingatui in March (second run Dec 1958).
Ark Royal’s best season came as a 6yo (1958/59) with 6 wins. He was third in the 1958 NZ Cup at Riccarton to Belfast (favourite) and Mediterranean although 5 lengths in arrears. A second to old adversary Canon (ridden by Bill Skelton, giving the Skelton brothers a family quinella) in the 1958 Dunedin Cup was followed by a runaway 6 length victory over Canon in the 1959 Invercargill Cup. The crowning moment of Ark Royal’s career came for Barton in the 1959 2 mile Wellington Cup at Trentham in mid January. Carrying 9 stone, Ark Royal recorded a time of 3:20¼ winning by 1½ lengths from Summer Glow who he cleared out from over the last 50 metres. A long strider, Ark Royal was suited by the roomy Trentham course.
Worth $10,000 in 1959, this was jockey Bob Skelton’s first Wellington Cup success. In the decade 1959 – 1969, Bob Skelton won the Wellington Cup on five occasions – Ark Royal, the champion stayer Great Sensation in successive years 1961-1963 and City Court 1969. Ark Royal was then taken to Sydney in preparation for the Sydney Cup (principal race until 1980, then Gp1). When first seen by Skelton, he noted that his condition had deteriorated and the horse had lightened up. Ark Royal finished unplaced in the Sydney Cup. Despite pleas for Ark Royal to be returned home, Barton sent him to Queensland where Arthur Didham was campaigning a team. Following a couple of minor placings, Ark Royal was retired to stud.
Some of George Barton’s better gallopers included :
Antrim Boy – 1923g (Some Boy II/Flame Gum) – became George Barton’s leading hurdler. Trained in the North Island at Te Aroha before being acquired by Barton in early 1928, Antrim Boy won a 6 furlong event at Timaru before being unplaced in his hurdling debut in the 1928 Otago Hurdles. He then mixed flat/jumping races, in one case even on same race day!! He had his first hurdling placing at Oamaru in May 1929 and starting on all 3 days of the 1929 Grand National meeting at Riccarton, he fell on each occasion, something not uncommon during his jumping career. He won his first hurdles race at the 28 October 1929 Gore meeting with numerous hurdles wins following over the next 3 years, at courses ranging between Riccarton and Invercargill. These included the Middelton Hurdles on the middle day of the 1930 NZ Cup carnival ridden by Hector Anderton (later prominent Dunedin trainer). Entered for the 1931 Great Northern Hurdles, he was scratched whilst he placed third on a later day at the carnival and second in the Waikato Hurdles on this northern trip. He fell at the last fence in the 1931 Grand National Hurdles.. Like a number of his compatriots he was sold at Barton’s March 1932 dispersal sale for 35 guineas. He continued racing successfully for a couple of seasons mixing hurdling and steeplechasing winning the 1932 Sydenham Hurdles at Grand National carnival.
Ark Royal – 1924g (Kilbroney/Lady Violet); won 1927 Dunedin Guineas, trainer SG Ware/jockey Arthur (AE) Ellis, 1m, 1:49.4
Gold Tinge – 1926g (Paper Money/Vicereine) – bred in North Otago at Elderslie Stud by Ian G Duncan and purchased by Barton for 250 guineas. Gold Tinge’s trainer was SG Ware whose chief patron was George Barton (Ware moved to Melbourne in 1935 and following a long illness died at his home in Mentone in August 1937). Gold Tinge was taken to Australia where on 1 October 1928 he won the first 2yo race of the season, Breeders Plate at Randwick starting 7/2 favourite, backed in from 5/1. This was Barton’s first classic win in Australia in a race worth 2,000 sovereigns. Gold Tinge won going away by 4 lengths in a time of 1:0½ for 5 furlongs. He was ridden at 8st 2lbs by J Munro who received a fee of £100 for his ride. After the race Barton advised Gold Tinge was not for sale at 4,000 guineas. Back in NZ, Gold Tinge failed in the 1928 Wellesley Stakes, was second in the CJC Welcome Stakes, unplaced in the GN Foal Stakes and placed third in the Dunedin Champagne Stakes. He had a totally unsuccessful 3yo career and was retired
Al Jolson – 1927g (Limond/Motley) – won 6 as a sprinter aged three while his best 4yo efforts were a second and a third at the 1931 NZ Cup meeting prior to being sold at Barton’s March 1932 dispersal sale for 130 guineas. He continued racing with little success apart from the 1934 Oamaru Stewards Hcp
Gallant Fox – 1929c (Hunting Song/Smoke Concert AUS) – originally raced by GD Beatson, Hastings, he won 1931 Russley Plate at CJC Easter meeting with him before selling to Barton for a satisfactory amount as a late 2yo. Barton had a high opinion of him, his initial plan was to take him to Australia as a 2yo (this did not eventuate). At the end of June 1931 he was entered for both the 1931 Caulfield and Melbourne Cups where he would have raced as a 3yo, again this did not happen.. Lowering the sights somewhat, Gallant Fox won his first race at Wingatui in October 1931. Basically a sprinter/miler, further victories followed at Washdyke (Timaru) and Gore before he was the top priced lot sold at Barton’s March 1932 dispersal sale (purchaser Mr Nicholson as agent for 360 guineas). He subsequently won at Riverton at the end of March 1932 but his four and five year old career starts yielded only a couple of placings
All Veil – 1937c (Veilmond/Water Gipsy) – purchased privately for 350 guineas and raced in partnership by Barton with Victorian Bill Balloch. All Veil turned out to be one of the best sprinters of his time in Melbourne – a straight six specialist. As a 2yo, his two wins included 1940 Holiday Stakes VATC (Flemington) over 5½ furlongs in January (first start), followed 4 days later with a £100 handicap race win at Epsom (Melbourne). He ran sixth in the 1940 Ascot Vale Stakes (Caulfield). As a 3yo, his first win came at Ascot (Melbourne); second win on Melbourne Cup Day 1940; won 1941 William Reid Stakes £1,000 6 furlongs (Moonee Valley). His major victory came on 1 March 1941 in the Newmarket Hcp at Flemington, ridden by jockey H Badger defeating 14 other rivals. This 6 furlong event was worth £2,500, he carried 7.13 as a 3yo and his wining time of 1:10¾ equalled the Newmarket Hcp record set by St Ardent in 1920. Runner up in a number of further events in Melbourne at three, at four, he won three races at Flemington, another at Williamstown in 1942 and was unplaced in the Epsom Hcp at Randwick and Toorak Hcp at Caulfield. All Veil was returning to NZ in May 1943 to stand at stud when he died of pneumonia an hour before he reached Wellington
Sascha – 1938f (Salmagundi/Royal Emblem); dead heated (J Mitchell/Colin McDonald) with Golden Souvenir in 1¼m 1945 Waikouaiti Cup, 2:10.8
Western Frost – 1942g (Coronach/All Quiet); winner of 1946 NZ St Leger (Trentham), J Mitchell/Fred (WF) Ellis, 1¾m, 3:09¾; 1950 Birthday Hcp (Wingatui), Jim (JW) Pankhurst snr/Lex (LW) Hare, 1½m, 2:32.0; 1951 Timaru Cup, JW Pankhurst snr/LW Hare, 1m 3 furlongs, 2:23.4. Jim Pankhurst snr was private trainer to Barton in 1951 when preparing Western Front to win the Timaru Cup
Kosher – 1945g (Beaulivre/Jewish Girl); winner of 1950 Oamaru Cup, JW Pankhurst snr/Bill (WD) Skelton, 1¼m, 2:7.8; 1951 Winton Cup, JW Pankhurst snr/Jim (JGW) Pankhurst, 1¼m, 2:5.4
Brutus – 1948c (Ruthless/Ozel); won 1950 Middlepark Plate (Riccarton), JW Pankhurst snr/C McDonald, 5 furlongs, 59.4
Red Tinge – 1950g (Timanova/Top Drawer); winner of 1955 Publicians Hcp (Wingatui), Ashley (AI) Powell/WD Skelton, 6 furlongs, 1:14.0
Nuclear – 1951c (Ruthless/Rosina), half brother to Golden Galleon. Barton purchased him at the 1953 Trentham yearling sales for 2,900 guineas; winner of 1956 Timaru Cup as a 4yo, AI Powell/Bob (RJ) Skelton, 1m 3 furlongs, 2:23.8; one of 5 wins which included Stoneyhurst Hcp (Riccarton), Autumn Nursery Stakes (Riccarton); 3rd in 1955 Dunedin Guineas and NZ Derby (Riccarton)
Matlock – 1955g (Ruthless/Eager Loch); 1960 Riverton Cup, DG O’Neill/John (JR) Dowling, 1¼m + 150 yds, 2:18.4
Desert Chief – 1956c (Ruthless/Zizette); winner of 1958 Dunedin Champion Stakes, AI Powell/RJ Skelton, 6 furlongs, 1:16.6; 1959 Canterbury Cup (now Canterbury Gold Cup), DG O’Neill/WD Skelton, 1½m, 2:32.6; 1961 Riverton Cup, DG O’Neill/DN Hadfield, 1¼m +150 yds, 2:21.2; 1961 Oamaru Winter Cup, DG O’Neill/DN Hadfield, 1¼m +138 yds, 2:18.0 (9.7); 1962 Invercargill Cup, DG O’Neill/DN Hadfield, 13 furlongs, 2:48.6 (9.3). Sale to race in USA arranged by Jack Tutton (sold for 2,800 guineas at dispersal sale)
Astra – 1957c (Astraeur/Sister Sal); winner of 1959 Dunedin Champion Stakes, DG O’Neill/RJ Skelton, 6 furlongs, 1:16.4; 1961 Publicians Hcp (Wingatui), DG O’Neill/MJ Wildemoth, 6 furlongs 1:13.2; 1963 Invercargill Cup, DG O’Neill/Rodney (RN) Marsh, 13 furlongs, 2:51.0
Marlow – 1958g (Khorassan/Mokola); formerly one of the Barton team purchased at the yearling sales for 2,700 guineas, was sold at a dispersal sale after Barton’s death to Christchurch businessman George Symes for 350 guineas. Marlow was the winner of 1964 Timaru Cup for Neville (NT) Cowles/Jim (JM) Cappie after winning the high weight on opening day when ridden by trainer Cowles. He was to win seven races for Symes including the Donald Grant, beating top stayer Great Sensation (3 Wellington Cups) and noted jumper Kumai.
This concludes the six part exposé on major Dunedin owner George Barton.
Peter Craig
14 September 2016
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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