Imported by Charles Southey in 1892, PEARL DIVER (GB) 1882, by Master Kildare (GB), stood at Culmstock Stud in Schoombie near Middelburg on his arrival in South Africa.  He was later moved to Dwarsvlei Stud.

He was bred by Lord Hastings and before coming to South Africa PEARL DIVER had had little success as a stallion, but had done very well in the showing ring.

He was champion sire in South Africa for six consecutive years from 1899 to 1904, third on the leading sires list in 1905 and second in 1909. He was the sire of seven Derby winners.

He sired two winners of the Durban July Handicap, with Verdant Green winning in 1900 and Peerless in 1903.  He also had success in South Africa’s premier race as a broodmare sire with the winner in 1911, Nobleman.  Nobleman, by Greatorex, is the only two year old to have ever won the race.

He also produced PEARL ROVER (the first South African bred horse to compete successfully in the United Kingdom) and CAMP FIRE II in South Africa, who were both very successful on the track in the UK.

On returning to South Africa CAMP FIRE II is Pearl Diver’s only son on record to have stood at stud, but had no real success as a stallion.

PEARL DIVER was poisoned by a farmhand and died in 1908.