Limerick (horse) explained

Horsename:	Limerick
Sire:	Limond (GB)
Grandsire:	Desmond (GB)
Dam:	Medley (NZ)
Damsire:	Varco (GB)
Sex:	Gelding
Foaled:	1923
Colour:	Brown or black
Breeder:	Harry Knight
Owner:	Harry Knight
Trainer:	F.D. Jones
Record:	59: 29, 12, 2
Earnings:	£38,729
Race:	Chelmsford Stakes (1926, 1927, 1928) Warwick Stakes (1927,1928,1929) Rawson Stakes (1927,1928) AJC Spring Stakes (1927, 1928) Craven Plate (1927) AJC St Leger (1927) AJC Cumberland Stakes (1927) Hill Stakes (1927,1928) AJC Plate (1927) AJC Kings Cup (1928) Chipping Norton Stakes (1928) All Aged Stakes (1928) AJC Autumn Stakes (1928,1929)

Limerick was a brown or black New Zealand Thoroughbred gelding who raced in Australia.He raced from a two-year-old to a seven-year-old, recording 29 wins from 6 furlongs to 2¼ miles, with regular jockey Maurice McCarten winning 22 races.^[1] McCarten migrated from New Zealand in 1923, a renowned master of race tactics, and won many major races.^[2]

Breeding

Limerick was by Limond (NZ), sire of the winners of nine Derbys in Australia and New Zealand, as well as the winners of 25 Southern Hemisphere classics and leading sire in New Zealand 1930-31.^{[3] [4]} His dam, Medley (NZ), also produced the classic winner Ballymena.

Breeder and owner^[5] Harry Knight was originally a large wheat grower owning one of the largest farming properties at Racecourse Hill, Canterbury, New Zealand, before turning his attention to thoroughbreds.^[6]

Racing career

Limerick raced between 1925–1931 an unsound horse on occasions raced for six seasons winning 13 major races in succession between 1927–1928, including rare triple wins in the Chelmsford Stakes and Warwick Stakes^[7] and also won the coveted 1928 AJC Kings Cup at Randwick, defeating Valparaiso and Winalot.^{[8] [7] [9]} Limerick throughout his career defeated rival champions Windbag, Amounis, Mollison and Gothic. His racing colours were black and white stripes, white sash, red cap.^[10]

Trainer Fred Jones was from New Zealand.^[11]

Limericks's racing record consisted of 59 starts, with 29 wins,^[7] 12 seconds, 2 thirds and 16 unplaced runs.^[12]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Limerick Tabulated Breeding . www.pedigreequery.com . 3 February 2019.
2. Web site: McCarten, Maurice Thomas Joseph . adb.anu.edu.au . Australian Dictionary of Biography . 5 February 2019.
3. Web site: Limond Breeding . www.pedigreequery.com . 2 February 2019.
4. Web site: Limerick Breeding . www.studbook.org.au . Australian Stud Book . 5 February 2019.
5. News: National Library of Australia . H.A.Knight Dead . 12 January 2019 . P 7 . Examiner Launceston Tasmania . 4 October 1935.
6. Web site: Henry Arthur Knight . livingheritage.lincoln.ac.nz . Living Heritage Lincoln University . 9 February 2019.
7. News: Veyron has ghost of Limerick on his side . Max Presnell . 23 August 2013 . . 6 February 2019.
8. Web site: Chelmsford Stakes . homeofracing.com.au . Home of Racing . 6 February 2019.
9. News: National Library of Australia . Kings Cup Remarkable Effort . 2 February 2019 . P 25 . The Capricornian Rockhampton Qld . 19 April 1928.
10. Book: Arrold . Tony . Champions . Tralca Sydney NSW . 978-0959445800 . 126–128 . 3 February 2019. 1980 .
11. News: National Library of Australia . F D Jones Team Coming . 2 . Evening News Sydney . 16 December 2018 . 5 July 1923. Evening News (Sydney, Nsw : 1869 - 1931) . 5 July 1923 .
12. Web site: Limerick Career Race Starts . www.racehorsetalk.com.au . Racehorsetalk . 22 March 2019.