Magistrate

photo: archive

During a trip to India, the renowned Arabian horse buyer, Mr. W. J. Keates, came across a stunning snow-white stallion. The horse, named Magistrate, was already famous as a racing champion in India.
Standing at 14 hands high, Magistrate was a powerful and athletic horse. He had an impressive career on the track, excelling in flat races, hurdle events, and steeplechases. He competed on major Indian racecourses, including those in Calcutta, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. Out of 40 races, Magistrate claimed victory in 20, finished second 11 times, and secured third place in 3 races.
Magistrate was owned by Mr. Oscar Dignum, who later sold him to Mr. Keates. In 1895, at the age of three or four (his exact foaling date remains unrecorded), Magistrate embarked on his long journey 'Down Under' to Australia. His arrival was notable enough to be mentioned in the March issue of the Daily Telegraph, which described him as 'a phenomenally performed Arab pony stallion.'
While nothing is known about his offspring in India, it is unlikely that Magistrate was never used as a sire during his racing career. However, in Australia, he left behind only two foals. One was a riding pony named Coleby Squire, and the other was a purebred Arabian filly named Saade. Saade was out of the Straight Crabbet mare Sherifa.
Later in life, Magistrate was sold to the Hon. Samuel Winter-Cooke of Murndal, Victoria. Unfortunately, the exact date of his death remains unknown.