This is the second of six articles covering the life and racing times of George Johnson Barton, the leviathan and colourful Dunedin owner. Part Two commences a review of his standardbred horses.
Standardbreds owned by George Barton –
Leading Owner stats :
The following horses were trained/driven for George Barton by WJ Tomkinson until his death in 1934 unless otherwise stated. Kean John – 1915g AUS (First Voyage/Honest Harry mare), 27 starts : 4 wins, 3 2nds, 3 3rds NZ; T2:23.2, A897 unnamed AUS dam
The winner of four races from twenty seven starts spread over three seasons, Kean John did not commence racing in NZ until aged 8. Besides winning the 1924 Otago Hcp Trot for George Barton, he placed a notable third to Rose Bingen in the 1925 Rowe Cup (beaten 2l, nk in T4:46.8).
Nelson Derby – 1917c (Nelson Bingen/Norice), 51:12 wins (6 for GJ Barton)- 6-2; 2:10.2, U30 Dairy Maid
By famed Charles Derby broodmare Norice who traces back to Dairy Maid, this branch of the Dairy Maid family has been especially strong in the pacing ranks over the last century. Sokyola, Mount Eden, Holmes DG, Giovanetto, Starship, Saab, Iraklis, Elect to Live, Monkey King, recent examples. Nelson Derby’s sire Nelson Bingen finished top of the sires list in 1928-29 and 1929-30, five times placed second, leaving 219 winners with stake earnings approaching £191,000. He produced two pacers of the highest class in brothers Great Bingen (NZFFA/Aust Championship, 26 wins) and Peter Bingen (NZ Cup (2)/FFA), both out of Berthabell. While not as successful, Nelson Derby had his racetrack highlights before proving to be one of the more successful colonial bred siring sons.
Nelson Derby raced for Mr&Mrs George Craw of Linton, from two through until a late 7yo when purchased by Barton. Successes for the Craws commenced in 1920 where he won two of four 2yo starts and ran third in the second ever Sapling Stakes at Ashburton to Childe Pointer. At three, his four wins in ten starts included the 1920 GN Derby and Otahuhu TC Stewards Hcp at Alexandra Park, the 1921 Electric Hcp at the Poverty Bay TC (Gisborne Racecourse at Te Hapara) and the 1921 Taranaki Futurity Stakes run by the Waimate Plains TC (Egmont Racing Club’s course in Hawera). As a four, five, six and early seven year old, Nelson Derby completely lost form with thirty one starts producing only one second and a third.
Purchased by Barton in mid 1925, Nelson Derby had his first start for his new connections at Addington in June, his second start resulted in victory at Ashburton. Nelson Derby’s most successful season came at eight (1925/6). His nine starts produced five wins including dual 1925 NZ Cup meeting successes on day 1 – Victoria Hcp and day 2 – Metropolitan Hcp (60 yds); 1925 Auckland Trotting Cup (2,200 sovereigns plus gold cup valued at 100 guineas), won by ¾ length running the 2 miles in 4:29.4, equalling Man O‘War‘s winning time; 1925 Ranfurly Hcp (36 yds) and the 1926 Otahuhu TC FFA, 1¼m flying start – the last three of these wins all being at Alexandra Park. The Barton/Tomkinson bracket mates Bell Harold (36 yds, Peter (P) Riddle) and Nelson Derby (72yds) quinellaed the Otahuhu TC’s 1926 Myers Hcp.
Nelson Derby’s final season of racing at nine was not fruitful – he was unplaced in both the NZFFA and Auckland Cup, recording only two placed efforts out of five starts at the 1926 Auckland Trotting Club (ATC) Christmas carnival – Penrose Hcp (3rd)/Onslow Hcp (2nd). Tomkinson advised that but for his unsoundness, Nelson Derby would have taken higher honours as a racehorse. Successfully retired to stud he sired 107 winners (95 pacers of which 4 were in Australia, 1 in 2:0.0; 12 trotters), consistently placing high on the sires list. Classic Families (CF) records his producing 72 classic offspring (Haughty TT1:59.6, NZ Cup (2)/NZFFA; Plutus NZFFA) and being the dam sire of 133 (Massacre ID Final, Willie Win NZ Derby, Casabianca Dominion Hcp Trot). He died aged 31 years.
Bell Harold – 1918g (Harold Rothschild/Jenny Bell), 77:16-4-8 (14 for GJ Barton); 2:11.6, N127 Lady Thorpe
In the ownership of H Hunter as a 3/4yo, Bell Harold only had a third in the Southland Juvenile Stakes -3 (dr T Blee) to his credit. Half of his 5yo season was in the ownership of A McLeod/E Harris; he had three starts for his first two wins before managing a win, second and third in three starts for Barton at the ATC’s April 1924 meetings. The win and third were on the same day with his win coming in the Farewell Hcp over 1 mile under saddle (2:16.8).
At six, Bell Harold’s seventeen starts for Barton included four victories at Oamaru (dr E Risk), Addington 1924 NZ Cup day in St Albans Hcp (dr John [J] McLennan off 36 yds)/Easter 1925 Express Hcp and Forbury 1925 Farewell Hcp (36 yds). At seven (1925/6), he added a further four wins from twenty starts – ATC Fleet meeting in the 1925 Au Revoir Hcp over 1m (2:17.0), fourth later same day; Hutt Park (Wellington) in the 1926 Speedway Hcp (36 yds), unplaced NZ Trotting Gold Cup same day; ATC 1926 Myers Hcp (36yds Peter [P] Riddle) defeating bracket mate Nelson Derby by a head, unplaced Otahuhu Cup same day and 1925 Addington Easter meeting second day in the High Class Hcp (12 yds) driven by J McLennan (unplaced Easter Hcp).
Recording only one victory at eight in the NZMTC Farewell Hcp (36yds) on day 3 of their August 1926 meeting, Bell Harold returned with a vengeance at nine (1927/8). His four victories from seventeen starts – first for the second year running in the August 1927 NZMTC Farewell Hcp (dr J McLennan), followed by a hat trick of wins at the ATC 1927 Christmas Cup carnival – Akarana Hcp on Cup Day (72 yds), Ranfurly Hcp on day 2 (48 yds), unplaced Champion Hcp same day and Onslow Hcp of 1 mile on the final day (36 yds) in a career best 2:11.6MR (also unplaced off 78 yds in Premier Hcp). A month earlier Bell Harold had placed third (2:11.8pl) in the NZFFA to Native Chief and Peter Bingen. His career victories included six at Alexandra Park and five at Addington.
Young Blake – 1919g (Wildwood Junior/Daphne Dillon), 105:15 (7 for GJ Barton)-9-12; T2:15.1, N76 Black Bess
His first five seasons of racing for Young and Blake saw him handled by a variety of drivers including P Riddle, Ossie Hooper and Newton (NL) Price. His eight wins included the 1923 NZ Trotting Stakes – 3T at Forbury Park and good class trotting events at Addington : 1923 Stewards Hcp, 1925 Avon Hcp and at the 1926 NZ Cup carnival on consecutive days the Sockburn and Governors Handicaps. Three attempts at the Dominion Hcp returned a third as a 4yo in 1923 and unplaced efforts in 1924 and 1925.
Barton acquired Young Blake as an 8yo (1927/8). His three wins were all at Alexandra Park from long marks in the 1927 Mountain Trot Hcp, Association Trot Hcp (48 yds dr P Riddle) and Otahuhu TC’s Alexandra Trot Hcp (108 yds). Earlier he finished a creditable 4th to stable mate Elzear in the 1927 Dominion Hcp at Addington whilst being unplaced in Auckland’s 1927 Rowe Cup. This proved to be his best season; 22:3-4-3, £1,600. At nine, his two wins came at Alexandra Park off 72 and 102 yds respectively. He was placed third in the 1928 Dominion Hcp, unplaced in the 1928 Rowe Cup and completed his season finishing third trotting from scratch in the 1929 CF Mark Memorial for top flight pacers. His 10yo (1929/30) and final season confirmed his liking for Alexandra Park when two wins included a second Association Trot Hcp (132 yds) driven by Maurice (“Maestro“) Holmes. Holmes had handled him when he ran third in Raima’s first of two consecutive Rowe Cup’s in 1929 and he was unplaced in the 1929 Dominion Hcp (78 yds). This took his winning record to seven of fifteen overall victories at Alexandra Park for the Barton/Tomkinson combination (six at Addington earlier in his career).
Napland – 1920g (Petereta/Dreamland), 52:7 (6 for GJ Barton)-2-4; T2:22.1, N631 Beatrice
Raced by Barton from age three to six, Napland’s principal success came in the 1925 Dominion Hcp (12 yds) – the stake was 1,000 sovereigns. Three successes at Alexandra Park – maiden win in the 1924 Introductory Trot; his next race 1924 Tamaki Hcp handicapped off 84yds and 1925 Association Trot (48 yds). Napland competed in three Rowe Cups for two unplaced efforts off 24/48 yds and fourth in 1926 (60 yds) to dual winner Waikaha (1926 & 1927). Napland’s other wins for Barton came at Addington and Forbury Park. His seventh and final victory came in the hands of owner/trainer H Kimmimont at Hutt Park in 1929 .
Concliff – 1921c AUS (Childewood/Barmaid), 30:4-6-1 NZ; 2:10.0, A716 Gipsy by Cossack
Arriving from Australia a proven horse (NSW bred), Concliff struck success for Barton at five (1926/7) winning the 1927 Waikato Trotting Cup and Waipa Hcp at Claudelands (Waikato TC course) and fourth to Sea Pearl in the Otahuhu Cup in one of two placed performances. At six, Concliff had the one win in the 1928 Dunedin Cup at Forbury Park (36 yds), downing the well performed Bonny Logan and Machine Guy, placing second in the Mace Memorial (New Brighton) to Bonny Logan and the Auckland Summer Cup to Peterwah. Concliff was unplaced in Gold Jacket’s 1928 Auckland Cup.
Not placed in seven starts as a 7yo, Concliff, obtained his fourth and final NZ win in the 1929 ATC Premier Hcp (36 yds). This followed another second in the Summer Cup and again unplaced to Gold Jacket in the 1929 Auckland Cup. Concliff had modest success when retired to stud in Tasmania (1931 – 1933) and South Australia (1934 onwards) where overall he sired 54 pacing winners. CF records his producing 32 classic offspring and being the dam sire of 41.
Elzear – 1921f (Petereta/Lady Elwood), 55:11 (10 for GJ Barton)-5-7; T2:24.0, N41 Clare
Elzear as a 4yo in the hands of TE Wilkins had one win at Invercargill from four appearances. Raced by the Barton/Tomkinson team over the next four seasons, she made quick progress at five (1926/7) winning five of eighteen starts – wins coming at Alexandra Park, Forbury Park, Addington and Claudelands twice, once off 96 yards.
At six, Elzear achieved her major success with victory in the 1927 2m Dominion Hcp (24 yds) at the NZ Cup carnival at Addington. Driven by John McLennan (drove 1922 winner Effie Bingen), she won by a head in 4:41.6 with stable mate Young Blake fourth. Unbelievably this was her first start for the season and her only other success came in her sixteenth and final start for the year in the 1928 Canterbury Park (CPTC) Aviation Hcp (108 yds). Unplaced all three days of the ATC Cup Carnival she did register three placed efforts during the 1927/8 season.
A further three successes came at seven in the 1928 Sockburn Hcp (day 2 NZ Cup meeting, 84 yds), 1929 Quality Hcp at Hutt Park (132 yds) and 1929 Summer Hcp (108 yds) at Addington’s Easter meeting. Placed efforts included thirds in the 1928 Rowe Cup (84 yds, dr James (J) Bryce) to Kempton and 1929 Epsom Trot (96 yds, J Bryce) to stable mate Young Blake. Elzear had two unplaced efforts from her final six starts at eight (1929/30) including unplaced efforts in the leading events, the Dominion Hcp and Rowe Cup.
Happy Rosa – 1921f (Great Audubon/Santa Rosa), 49:5-6-1 NZ (1 Aus win); T2:16.2, U323 Lady Button
Happy Rosa began racing as a 3yo winning twice at Otatuhu and Waikato TC meeting’s. Placed second in the 1925 NZ Trotting Stakes – 3T at Forbury Park, her one win at four came in the CPTC Yaldhurst Hcp (72 yds). Unsuccessful in NZ in the following two seasons including an unplaced run in the 1927 Rowe Cup at her only NZ start (1927/8), Happy Rosa went to Sydney where she won the November 1927 Epping Hcp. Regaining winning form in NZ at seven – wins at Addington and the 1929 Otago Hcp Trot at Forbury Park (48 yds), she signed off her career with four unplaced runs in the 1929/30 season.
Sir Voyage – 1922g AUS (First Voyage/Lady Edna), 12:5-0-3 NZ; T 2:16.5, A13 Fair Nell
Arriving from Australia for a short but successful two season NZ career, Sir Voyage won his initial two starts in 1931 at Claudelands (dr J Fraser jnr) and Ashburton as an eight year old. At nine, three wins and three placings – the wins on day’s 2/3 of the NZ Cup carnival came in the 1931 Avon and Addington Hcps as well as success at ATC’s Christmas Cup carnival on day 2 in the 1931 Epsom Hcp (72 yds) driven by Freeman Holmes (stable mate Surprise Journey [120 yds] was second). His three third placings included the 1931 Dominion Hcp won by Olive Nelson.
Surprise Journey – 1923c AUS (First Voyage/Miss Almont), 35:9-4-2 NZ; T2:15.4, A83 Spark
Another Australian bred horse (Victoria) exported to NZ, Surprise Journey had good success commencing as a 7yo (1930/31) with a seven win season. These included win’s at his first NZ start at an ATC Unemployed Relief meeting in August 1930 (Onehunga Hcp), on NZ Cup day 1930 (Spray Hcp), Forbury’s 1930 Dominion Hcp (48 yds), New Brighton‘s 1930 Seaview Hcp (120 yds), ATC’s 1930 Association Hcp and February 1931 ATC Rangitoto Hcp (60 yds) and the Farewell Hcp (24 yds) the same afternoon. Surprise Journey ran second in Raima’s second consecutive win in the 1930 Rowe Cup.
Not as successful the following season at eight, Surprise Journey proved himself an excellent square gaiter. After an unplaced run in the 1931 Dominion Hcp, he went one better than the year before by winning the 1931 Rowe Cup (96 yds) by ¾l in a time of 4:32.6 (2 miles). The stake had been reduced from 800 sovereigns in 1930 to just 350 sovereigns in 1931 as a result of the Great Depression. Two races later on the same day he confirmed his liking for Alexandra Park by winning the Akarana Hcp (48 yards) – his sixth win in total at ATC headquarters. Two days later he ran second to stable mate Sir Voyage (72yds WJ Tomkinson) in the Epsom Hcp when starting off 120 yds (dr Freeman Holmes). These were the only stake bearing finishes in his fifteen start 8yo career. He stood at stud where he sired 9 winners (1 pacer who won in Australia, 8 trotters). CF records his producing 2 classic offspring.
Erins Fortune – 1924f (Erins King/Miss Fortune), 70:12-4-2 (2 for GJ Barton); 2:13.1, A2 – Lady Ajax (Miss Fortune/Edith wonderful producers)
Erins Fortune was a good performer although she only recorded two victories for George Barton. Owned originally by DT Wilson, Erins Fortune won twice as a 4yo and on seven occasions at five, all her wins coming in the lower South Island (North Otago – Southland area). At five wins came in the 1929 Winton Cup (36 yds); 1930 Invercargill Cup (72 yds); 1930 Oamaru Presidents Hcp, driven by Stan (SA) Edwards; winning another race for DT Wilson early in her 6yo career (6:1-2-0), before Barton purchased her. Two wins for Barton came from a further twelve starts at six – 1930 Forbury Hcp (12 yds)/1931 Ashburton Durbar Hcp (36 yds). Amazingly she did not place in any of her other ten 6yo starts nor in seven starts as a 7yo, two starts at 8, five starts at 9 or two starts at 10 (1934/5). At stud, Erins Fortune had 5 classic progeny including 1948 Auckland ID heat winner Loyal Peter and was grand dam of good SA/VIC trotter Springs Pride
Free Advice – 1924f (Blue Mountain King/Intaglio), 100:13-12-10 (6 for GJ Barton); 2:09.6, N1 Pride of Lincoln
A top performer and outstanding broodmare, Free Advice was owned by the McKendrick Brothers and trained/driven by James Bryce throughout her 3-5yo career as well as her first three 6yo starts. During this time she won seven races – three at three and four at four including the 1928 ATC Summer Cup worth 1,000 sovereigns, her form tailed right off until purchased by Barton.
In her fifteen 6yo starts for Barton, Free Advice managed four wins and five placings including her performances at the 1930 ATC Cup carnival – a second unplaced run in the Auckland Cup, second in the Summer Cup won previously (24 yds) and a winning dead heat with Carmel in the 1930 Presidents Hcp. After third placings to Logan Chief at Addington and Hutt Park, Free Advice returned to Alexandra Park to run second beaten by a head by stable mate Mountain Dell in the 1931 Otahuhu Cup. she went on to win the McKenzie Hcp on the second day. Success at Addington in the 1931 Easter Hcp (24 yds) on a heavy track was followed by victory on the second day in the NZMTC Presidents Hcp (24 yds) and a third on the same day to Roi l’Or and Harold Logan in the High Class Hcp (24 yds).
At seven, Free Advice, started on twenty occasions for two wins and six placings achieving her crowning glory in taking out the second qualifying division of the NZ Cup (12 yds) on day one of the Cup carnival, whilst running third (12 yds) to Harold Logan in the 1931 NZ Cup. On day three she finished fourth (24 yds) in the 2 mile Christchurch Hcp and later the same day third in the NZFFA, again, to Harold Logan. Free Advice had started in three 2 mile races and the 1¼m NZFAA all in the space of four days (she held NZ mare’s record for 1¼m at 2:41.2 for several years). After placings at Addington and Forbury in early 1932, Free Advice recorded her final win for Barton at Easter in the 1932 NZMTC Flying Hcp (12 yds). A second placing in the Ashburton Gold Cup Hcp followed.
Fourteen starts at eight (1932/3) returned a second at Forbury Park, being unplaced in major races such as the NZ Cup/FFA, Ashburton, Dunedin and Trotting Gold Cups. Free Advice had a further nine starts at nine for one minor placing. She was unplaced in the NZCup/FFA which was her final start. In the broodmare paddock, she was dam of top pacers Horsepower (see later) and Pacing Power. The great grand daughter of Thelma continued this very successful branch of the Pride of Lincoln family through her daughters and descendants – Thelma Globe, Invicta, Welcome Advice, Allwoods Chief, Rip Van Winkle, Cherubic, Beefy T, Melton Monarch, Bolton Byrd, Escapee
Mountain Dell – 1924f (Blue Mountain King/Whispering Dell), 104:14-13-7 (6 for GJ Barton); 2:09.9, N649 Whispering Dell
Raced for a little over five seasons by his original owner H Mitchell and trained by WJ Tomkinson, Mountain Dell had eight wins including the 1931 Otahuhu Hcp (name changed from Otahuhu Cup and run under auspices of ATC from 1931) and a third in the same race the following year. He recorded unplaced efforts in each of the 1930, 1931 and 1932 Auckland Cups.
Acquired by Barton after four starts in his 8yo season (1932/3), Mountain Dell had two wins from ten starts for Barton. These came in the 1933 CPTC Paparua Hcp (12 yds) at their Winter meeting (dr J Fraser jnr) and 1933 Ashburton Birthday Hcp (12 yds). At nine, Mountain Dell had a further two wins for Barton. The first of these was in the 1933 National Hcp (12 yds) at the August NZMTC meeting where he ran second to Harold Logan on the same programme in the Farewell Hcp. Prior to the 1933 NZ Cup meeting, Mountain Dell finished second to Royal Silk in the NZ Cup trial at Hutt Park while in the £1.500 NZ Cup (12 yds), he was a creditable third to Red Shadow and Royal Silk. Later that day he finished second to Red Shadow in the Hagley Hcp. His second win for the season came at Easter in the 1934 NZMTC Flying Hcp followed by a third in the Final Hcp on the second day.
The 1934/5 season was the dawn of a new era following WJ Tomkinson‘s death. Australian FC Dunleavy who was Tomkinson‘s stable foreman took over the training of Barton’s team. He enjoyed success with Mountain Dell who won two races as a 10yo. Unplaced in stable mate Indianapolis’s first NZ Cup win in November 1934, Mountain Dell managed a second on the third day of the Cup carnival in the Sprinters Hcp (12 yds) over 1 mile (2:08.8pl). In 1935 he won the Wellington TC Kia Ora Hcp (dr J Fraser jnr), was second at the NZMTC Royal meeting, won the NZMTC Presidents Hcp on day 2 of the Easter meeting (dr Doug (DC) Watts) and second to Taxpayer in the CPTC Paparua Hcp (72 yds). He had three further unplaced starts as an 11yo (1935/6) before retirement.
Country King – 1924g (John Dillon/Country Queen), 60:8-8-3 (4 for GJ Barton); 2:10.6, N210 Country Queen (third dam of Oreti 1:58.4US, $133,177 USA Governors Cup)
Country King commenced racing as a 4yo for owner/driver JM Stewart and trainer TM Stewart. NZ Trotting Register records show his four wins as all being in trotting events (one under saddle) in the deep south. Barton took over ownership when he turned five and in his first season for Barton (1929/30), Country King had three pacing wins, at Forbury Park and Ashburton (12 yds) in the hands of Jack (J) Walsh (trained Robin Dundee) and for WJ Tomkinson at Alexandra Park (24 yds). His racing was late in the season with wins coming at the club’s respective winter meetings. Winless at six, with only a second and a third at Auckland, Country King secured his final win as a 7yo during the July 1932 Addington Relief meeting in the Metropolitan Hcp (12 yds). He had a further three placings from eleven outings as an 8yo in his final season (1932/3).
PART THREE : will continue a review of Barton’s standardbreds.
Peter Craig
27 July 2016
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
