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CONTINUING MYSTERY OF AISLABY LAD In an article in last years magazine I introduced the horse Aislaby Lad (1722) and mentioned my quest to evaluate the influence the horse exerted on the stud book. I have talked with breeders and members of the local farming community and it is surprising how little is known about this horse and others of the same period -the early 20th century. Some people cannot remember clearly horses from 70 or so years ago, yet others recall a really good colt as though it had just passed before them in the show ring. One of Aislaby Lad's sons, loft House Lad, is well remembered and not just by the breeds enthusiastics, but as for the 'awd lad' himself, I have drawn a blank. Aislaby Lad was foaled in 1911, of that we can be sure, however, the stud book gives the date as 28th May, whilst a recent find, a stud card, states 20th June. His dam Lady Stainthorpe (718), was owned by George Elders who lived at loft House Farm, Aislaby - a village on the edge of the moors overlooking the fishing port of Whitby, in the North Riding of Yorkshire. Lady Stainthorpe was shown extensively locally, but she was also a good brood mare. She was 21 when she foaled Aislaby Lad and she had already produced three colts good enough for registration by George Elders, two under the Aislaby prefix and the other Hawthorn Hero (see last years magazine). 1996
Cleveland Bay Magazine No.29 |