GREATOREX (GB) 1900, a bay horse by CARBINE (NZ) out of MRS BUTTERWICK (GB) by ST SIMON (GB).
He was bred and raced by the Duke Of Portland in England before coming to South Africa, where he only raced as a two year old, winning two races and placing twice before injuring himself.
Imported in 1903 by the doyen of South African breeders, HENRY NOURSE, for his DWARSVLEI STUD in Middelburg, GREATOREX really was a stallion of great significance.
He was third on the champion sire’s list in South Africa in 1909, then headed the list on ten occasions, 1910 – 1913 and 1916 – 1921 and was runner up in 1914 & 1915.
Three of his sons, all bred by Henry Nourse at Dwarsvlei, are on record as being stallions at stud in South Africa, NOBLEMAN 1908, RELISH 1916 and the great DIGNITARY 1918 (who we will feature in full in a future article).
His daughters proved themselves to be invaluable at stud, producing winners of staggering numbers. They are on record as having produced no less than 22 sons who stood as stallions at stud in South Africa!
The great champion of the 1930s, MOONLIT (SAF) was out of ALL MOONSHINE by GREATOREX.
He died in 1921, having definitely left behind a legacy that improved the South African Stud Book.