His aim was to supply the (British) government with high-quality, light-weight cavalry horses for use in war campaigns around the world. The technological advances in artillery and warfare meant the need for this programme was short lived but the Government retained the site and began to concentrate on the improvement of the Thoroughbred breed instead.
The breeding programme was very successful and several high profile horses have been bred including Sun Chariot who was foaled in 1939. She went on to win the Triple Crown of 1,000gns, The Oaks and the St Leger in 1942. And now has a race bearing her name at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile Racecourse.
Colonel William Walker was the son of a Scottish brewer who developed the scotch whiskey Johnnie Walker.
While stationed in India with the British Army Walker developed a fascination with Eastern philosophies, including Buddhism and astrology. He believed that horses should be bred and raced based on information revealed in their horoscopes and birth charts. He had the stables built with skylights so the Sun, Moon, planets and stars so they could be seen by the horses and potentially influence them. Walker drew up the birth charts (horoscopes) of each foal himself. He trained or sold foals based on what the chart revealed. Interestingly enough, His horses went on to win all major races!
The National Stud was founded in 1915 when Walker, donated his bloodstock to the British Government. The government, in turn, purchased Tully Farm in Ireland and a training stable he owned at Russley Park in Wiltshire, England.
Walker was given the title of Lord Wavertree in recognition of his gesture, and the property and horses became the first National Stud for Great Britain. In 1943 the National Stud was moved from Ireland to England and, two years later, the Tully property in County Kildare was purchased from the British Government. Comhlacht Groí Náisiúnta na hÉireann Teo, The Irish National Stud was formally established by incorporation on 11 April 1946 under the National Stud Act, 1945. It is owned by the Irish Government.
Between the years 1906 and 1910, Walker had created a Japanese Garden that is acclaimed as the finest of its kind in Europe.
Anthony Scott created a large, hollowed-out spherical dome, with zodiac signs and constellations on the outside to celebrate the horse breeding connection with Britain plus Lord Wavertree’s interest in astrology. This was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II during her visit in 2011.
Be aware that the Stud Farm closes over the winter months and is due to reopen on 30 January 2017.
To find the cache answer the following questions:
When was Sun Chariot foaled? Call this ABCB
When was the National Stud founded? Call this ABAD
In what year was Comhlacht Groí Náisiúnta na hÉireann Teo founded? Call this ABEF
In what year did Walker complete his Japanese Gardens? ABAG
The cache can be found at:
North DC G(E x2).FDG West GGF DE.GC(B-2)
