FAIR ENSIGN
Ensign's
Kirby x Fair Virginia
Fair Virginia, the dam of Fair Ensign.
One of the best broodmares that ever set foot on South African soil. She came by chance and left a legacy of show and breeding horses.
In 1955 Mr. Jack Gird imported four mares - Genius of Knight ( x Gallant King), which was heavy in foal on leaving the USA had had a colt foal at sea, which was subsequently named First Sea Lord; Romantic Moments ( x Genius My King); Ace's Golden Dream ( x American Ace). The fourth horse was Birthday Surprise, which unfortunately jumped a fench within twenty-four hours of her arrival on the farm and broke her back. She had been purchased from Mr. Tom Merton of Old Stone House Farms, and when he was informed of this misfortune, he promptly replaced her with one of his top mares - and at that stage the Reserve World Champion Brood Mare - Fair Virginia 36367. In 1954 she had Ensign's Fair Virginia and the following year, Ensign's Folly, both by Ensign Kirby. When she came in 1955 she was in foal yet again by Ensign Kirby and then produced the fantastic Fair Ensign. Fair Virginia is also the dam of Cameo's Lady Jane, the dam of the 1990, 1991, 1995 & 1996 S.A. Five Gaited Grand Champion, Warlord. Warlord is also the sire of the 2000 Reserve Five Gaited World Grand Champion - War Image.
| YEAR | SIRE | FOAL | ACHIEVEMENT |
| 1960 | Cameo's Farewell | Cameo's Spring Cheer | 1971 S.A.Grand Champion Five Gaited Horse, Dam of Spring Fever, who is the sire of El Nino, who in turn is the sire of Commander in Chief, 1997 World Champion Five Gaited Horse |
| 1962 | Cameo's Farewell | Cameo's Geisha Girl | Dam of S.A.Champions Beau's Madame Spring, Beau's Bedsocks,Majestic Gay Gay, Sayonara and Young Africa |
| 1963 | Cameo's Farewell | Cameo's Fair Ensign | Died at five |
| 1964 | Indiana Ace | Indiana's Sea Side Lady | 1967 S.A.Futurity Weanling |
| 1965 | Indiana Ace | Indiana's Fair Madame | 1968 S.A.Futurity Fine Harness |
| 1966 | Cameo's Farewell | Cameo's Fairy Lane | 1970
S.A.Champion Three Year Fine Harness
1971 S.A. Grand Champion Fine Harness |
| 1967 | Cameo's Farewell | Cameo's Fair Emblem | |
| 1968 | Cameo's Farewell | Cameo's Beau Peavine | Sire of many S.A. Champions eg. Peavine's Emerald, Peavine's Eye Witness |
| 1969 | Cameo's Farewell | Cameo's Truly Fair | Dam of Yokozuna, sire of numerous S.A. Grand Champion horses eg Tornado, Inferno, Never on a Sunday, Parader's Lady, Mr Yodack,Yoko Rico, Mr America, Barcelona,etc Granddam of Perfect Timing - the 2001 S.A. Champion Two Year Old Fine Harness Horse. |
Fair Ensign is a full sister to Ensign's Fair Virginia 55305 which appears in the Broodmare Hall of Fame due to the high percentage of KSF ribbon winners, eg Lily Merril ( x Indiana Peavine who is in turn by Indiana Ace) the 1965 Junior Five Gaited World Champion. Together with Marion Hutchenson (Happy Valley Stables) they were the World Champion Junior Exhibition Five Gaited mare in 1968, 1969 and 1970. In 1970 they attained the World Champion Junior Exhibition Five Gaited title as well.
Lily Merril and Marion Hutchenson
(photo by Sargent)
Peavine's Emerald & Dina Botha
(photo by R.Millin)
Yokozuna
(photo by R.Millin)
copyright Ross Millin 2004