“It has long been established that Mr. Alfred Louisson made a lucky speculation when he bought Nightmarch for £1000 in the winter of 1928 at the close of the colt’s two year old career, for in the interval the son of Night Raid has won over £29,000 under his colours.” Evening Post, April 1931
Alfred Louisson enjoyed three very different passions: Lawn bowls, classical music and breeding and owning racehorses. The only one in his family to play bowls. Everyone in the Louisson family tree, going back for generations, were amateur and semi-professional singers and musicians who supported the arts and particularly music and theatre in Christchurch. The family was divided in their liking of horse racing. Those who were involved were all heavily involved. His brother Charles, founder of Burton Brewery in Palmerston North, sat on the Manuwatu Racing Club committee and like Alf, a member of the New Zealand Racing Conference. Charles remained a close friend of the Robertson family and Fred Nathan, Managing Director of Glaxo, Palmerston North’s mayor, and a fellow Manawatu racing committeeman. Their father Cecil had been involved in racing, but not nearly as much as their Uncle Charles Louisson. His committee influence on both the Jockey Club at Riccarton and the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club at Addington is incalculable. There is a good case to be argued for both Charles Louisson, a Christchurch mayor, and his brother-in-law, Victor Harris being two of the most important early influences on New Zealand harness racing. Louisson with his committee work, political clout and importance in obtaining the long-term lease and subsequent development of Addington. Victor Harris for creating the Metropolitan out of Lancaster Park Club and forcing a merger with the then more powerful and profitable Canterbury Trotting Club using the Seddon government to ensure this happened. Alfred Louisson’s cousin, Dr. Maurice Louisson continued on his father Charles’ good work and became a powerhouse committeeman, owner and breeder in Canterbury thoroughbred racing.
Alfred Louisson’s racing life changed when he purchased a beautiful dark bay colt bred by Wolsey and George Kain for £1,000. The sweet natured Nightmarch became the apple of his eye. Sired by Night Raid out of their Martian mare Marsa, Nightmarch proved to be a spectacular buy. While Night Raid contains glorious names sprinkled throughout its bloodline, so too did Marsa’s dam line, besides obviously Martian, running back through Marsa’s dam, Nantes.*
*Matching Apremont with Martyr, produced the very French sounding filly, Huguenot. Apremont’s best progeny being Sir George Clifford’s remarkable mare Cynisca, three times winner (1890, 1891 & 1892) of the Wellington Cup. Huguenot raced among many successful horses owned in the partnership of John Stephenson and James Hazlett. Auctioneer John Stephenson took over from one of the founding directors Robert Robertson of Wright, Stephenson stock and station agents and horse auctioneers. Dunston Mayor James Hazlett, the father of Bill Hazlett and grandfather of loose forward New Zealand rugby legend, owner and trainer Big Bill Hazlett, made his money as a merchant during the gold rushes and for whom the James Hazlett Gold Cup is named. James’ son Bill Hazlett married Stephenson’s youngest daughter Kate, bringing the two families even closer (Evening Star 16 February 1898). Huguenot was matched with Stepniak, 1892 Canterbury Cup and Derby winner and later proving to be one of New Zealand’s best sires, to produce Nantes (Named after the Edict of Nantes (1598) enacted by Henry Navarre (Henry IV) of France to protect the French Protestants (Huguenots) from persecution. The Edict was later revoked by Louis XIV in 1685 - save you looking it up.) owned by George Stead who sold her to Canterbury Jockey Club committeeman Charles Dalgety. (Dalgety was son of the founder of international stock and station agency Dalgety & Co, Frederick Dalgety (1817 – 1894) Nantes produced a couple of great fillies including 1909 & 1910 Caulfield Stakes winner, Artillerie .(Press, 13 November 1930)
Nantes was later matched with Martian to produce Marsa, who started changing owners quicker than Australia changes prime ministers. Before retiring to stud, Marsa managed to chalk up an enormous racing career. Dalgety sold Marsa to H.G. Taylor in 1915 who sold her quickly to Riverton trainer James Hymers who won the 1916 Wairio Cup with her. In June 1916, Hymers sold her to D.P. Wilson a day after winning the Tradesman’s Handicap (Evening Star 2 June 1916, page 8). Marsa went on to win the Timaru Cup and Dunedin Anniversary Handicap in among her strenuous 24 races in Wilson’s colours before being sold to Wolsey Kain. He raced her another 30 times which included winning the Riverton, Invercargill and Southland Cups (Press, 13 November 1930, page 14). Marsa was finally retired to stud in 1919 and gave birth to her first foal the following year, Full Swing, then the gelding Brightling.
Two traits found in the personalities of both Nightmarch and Phar Lap, probably stemming from their even natured sire Night Raid, were their intelligence and amazingly calm demeanours. Tommy Woodcock often mentioned Phar Lap as the smartest horse he knew. Just as effusive, Nightmarch’s trainer Alex McAuley continually commented on just how bright and unnaturally calm for a stallion was Nightmarch. In comparison, Sol Green once commented on the Valais sired champion Manfred, that developed a reputation of being as mad as a cut snake, “…if Manfred had have had the calmness of Phar Lap he would have been one of the greatest horses of all time.”
It was not just McAuley, for nearly every person who ever handled Nightmarch spoke of the horse’s lovable nature and high intelligence. Cyril McGregor worked with McAulay for many years and often told the story of working with Nightmarch.
“He had so many brains it was sometimes uncanny. I remember once taking him over the road to Randwick. The traffic was bad enough but worse was all the paper rubbish blowing around on the ground. Those things spook most horses. Nightmarch would just carefully pick his way between them all then cross the road with less fuss than a human. There will never be another horse like Nightmarch for me.” Thunder in the Wind by David McCarthy – 150 year history of Riccarton Park Racecourse)
After winning the New Zealand Derby and 2,000 Guineas, Louisson brought Nightmarch over to Australia for the 1929 Sydney carnival. Andrew Robertson looked upon Nightmarch with mixed feelings knowing there was an uncomfortable conversation to be had with Paddy Wade. On first seeing Nightmarch, all agreed, he was a beautiful looking horse and ran like the wind. Many of the pundits were also unanimous in their opinion. In 1929, Nightmarch was very likely the second best thoroughbred racing in Australasia. There was no doubting Nightmarch would be winning races. The real question starting to be asked, could he win races against his younger half-sibling, Phar Lap. Most Australian racing experts did not believe Nightmarch could ever beat him.
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