Agricultural & Horticultural Medals

Lot 567    Day 1    Agricultural & Horticultural Medals

Estimate $1,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND, Royal Champion, struck in gold (9ct, 14.77g, 30mm), reverse inscribed '1947./Aberdeen Angus Cow/D.G.Grant'; another, struck in gold (9ct, 14.48g, 30mm), ring top suspension, reverse inscribed 'Aberdeen Angus Bull/D.G.Grant/"Eulijago of Kilham"/1949'; another, struck in gold (9ct, 14.11g, 30mm), ring top suspension, reverse inscribed 'Female/Aberdeen/Angus/D.G.Grant/1952', all by M&K Ld (Mayer & Kean, Wellington); also Wairarapa & Coast P&A Society, struck in silver (26mm), no maker, ring top suspension, reverse inscribed 'Champ./Aberdeen Angus/Bull/Donald G.Grant/1948'. The second with a few edge bumps and the last with some hairlines and small dig marks on reverse and toned obverse, otherwise very fine. (4)

Donald G.Grant of Mangatoro Stud, Dannevirke, a rural town in the Manawatu-Wanganui Region of New Zealand's North Island is credited as the man that had the greatest influence on the NZ Aberdeen Angus cattle industry. Donald was born in Scotland and his father was an Aberdeen Angus breeder. In 1911 at age 21 Donald migrated to New Zealand and worked as a herdsman at the Gwavas stud in Hawkes Bay from 1912 until 1920. He then established his own stud called Mangatoro although he was still retained by Gwavas as stud supervisor until 1943.^^Donald Grant imported more outstanding cattle than any other breeder in New Zealand. In 1939 he imported Mulben Embassy, the most famous Angus bull and thereby created a new era of Angus breeding in New Zealand. Another one of the champion Angus bulls that he imported was Eulijago of Kilham which won the Royal Champion gold medal in 1949 (see medal in this lot). Mangatoro Stud's record has never been surpassed in the show and sale ring. Donald Grant won the supreme championship on 21 occasions at the New Zealand National Angus Show and Sale.^^With research.