WARRENBRI ROMEO- IS
Bred by Peter Knight, WARRENBRI ROMEO- IS first made an impression as a campdraft performer, before an eye infection put paid to his performance career. As a sire he was to reach dazzling heights.
WARRENBRI ROMEO- IS was born in 1975, not long after the Australian Stock Horse Society had commenced. Peter Knight put his mare WARRENBRI JULIE- IM to REALITY- FS on three occasions, and the third mating produced WARRENBRI ROMEO- IS. His breeder, Peter Knight, when he saw the foal said,‘ It’ s our turn, there’ s no rhyme or reason for me to think this but I just know it’ s our turn.’ These prophetic words of Peter Knight proved more than true.
At the Warwick Gold Cup in 1990, seven of the 15 finalists were by WARRENBRI ROMEO- IS. WARRENBRI OMEGA- IS won the Gold Cup ridden by Lindsay Knight, Terry Hall on BAR NONE OMO was second, Christine Hall on HAZELWOOD LUCKY STRIKE was third, and fifth was WARRENBRI CHORUS GIRL ridden by Lindsay Knight. All of these horses were by WARRENBRI ROMEO- IS. Unfortunately, Peter Knight never lived to see this wonderful achievement, as he had been a victim of cancer.
Peter Knight had lived long enough however to know that his horse was a champion, as already his progeny were appearing on the winner’ s list in every conceivable sport. They were of course setting the world on fire in campdrafting, but they were also very successful in the showring, winning working classes and led classes.
Lindsay Knight competing on WARRENBRI ROMEO- IS at the Australian Championships in Warren, New South Wales.
WARRENBRI ROMEO- IS is the most influential Impact Sire in the Australian Stock Horse Stud Book, with over 11,500 descendants, and the fastest moving stallion in the Stud Book currently.
PETER- FS
PETER- FS
The fourth most influential Foundation or Impact stallion is PETER- FS, bred by Charlie Quelch of‘ Paleroo’ in Narrabri, New South Wales. PETER- FS, like REALITY- FS, was by Dimray.
The dam of Peter was an outstanding mare called Why Not. This mare belonged to Arthur Davis, a friend of Charlie’ s who managed a place nearby. Why Not campdrafted at Sydney Royal Easter Show in the late 1940s, and was by a very highly regarded TB called Promised Land, who was by by Dark Ronald.‘ I can’ t remember seeing a better mare in the camp or outside,” said Charlie Quelch,‘ and a good enough type to win a hack class.’ Promised Land produced not only good race horses but some outstanding campdraft horses of the day. Arthur Davis shifted to Emu Holes at Quirindi, but later became ill and retired to Manilla.
‘ In 1954 when Arthur became ill, he sent Why Not up to me,’ said Charlie Quelch,‘ Frank Dickie had purchased Dimray from Carl Mitchell and had him over at Edgeroi, so I sent Why Not over there to get in foal. The service fee was ten Guineas. [$ 21 ] When
PETER- FS was born I kept telling Arthur about the colt but he just kept saying’ Geld him’. Arthur died without seeing him but I thought,“ where do you get breeding like that?” so I kept him.’
Charlie lost his early service certificate books, but believes PETER- FS went to at least 300 or 400 mares. PETER- FS was born in 1956 and died in 1983 at the age of 27. Charlie used PETER- FS as his main work horse during his life, and also performed him at local campdrafts. In good seasons, Charlie took 15 to 20 mares, but in dry seasons he took none. The service fee remained the same all his life: $ 50.
Peter has over 11,000 descendants in the Australian Stock Horse Stud Book.
Australian Stock Horse Society 1971- 2011 25