Welcome to Deanhills Stud, Australia

British Riding Ponies, Welsh Part Bred, & Part Bred Arab

Sandbourne Royal Ensign

27th June 1981 – 28th May 2009

  "From little acorns mighty oaks do grow."

Born a diminutive foal, Ensign acquired the apt name "Dinky", which remained with him throughout his life.

From the moment he was born at the Sandbourne Stud (of which I was lucky to help set up, and 5 yrs later, sadly disperse), Dinky was destined to be something special, he had that twinkle in his eye not often seen in a colt, that to me meant he was to become the studs main man and no one earth was going to tell me different. I put my job on the line for him several times, having utmost faith in him to be a great sire. How true that was to be, with his first crop of foals being major winners in the show ring, but sadly the stud was to be dispersed at the end of that year in 1984.

Dinky was the only Sandbourne colt bred left entire, which emphasised the responsibility the Stud placed on keeping breeding stock of only the highest standard.

I was fortunate to keep Ensign, following the dispersal of the Stud, and took him to the Oakley stud in Berkshire, when I became Stud and Show Manager for Mrs Sybil College, who bred the famous Oakley Bubbling Spring, Simone etc, 

I bred my first foal by him while at the Oakley Stud and in 1985 Deanhills Royal Diplomat was born, out of an old fashioned Welsh Section B mare, although a big riding pony winner going Supreme yearling riding pony at the West Midland Stallion show he matured up and went on to be a great show hunter pony qualifying for the Royal International and the Horse of The Year show

At Oakley Stud he was unable to stand at public stud but we did cover three mares of Mrs College's and a couple of outsiders that were walk in mares as they new me and Dinky, one mare from the Coveham Stud who have from the same mare covered, produced two pony of the year ridden show ponies at HOYS.

From the Oakley stud the next year Ensign and I went to join forces with the Radway Stud so this was also to be my breeding prefix for the next fifteen years.

In this time, Ensign sired Sandbourne Royal Emblem the last foal born at Sandbourne, the 14.2 Show Pony Champion, and Overall Supreme Champion at the Royal International and the Horse Of The Year Show, and later the 13.2 Show Pony of the Year at the Horse Of the Year Show, Radway Flashdance. Ensign would be best known for his outstanding record of sire of three 12.2 Champion Show Ponies at The Horse Of The Year Show, Bradmore Catkin, Glenmoss Juliet, Drayton Penny Royal, Ensign's sire record at The Horse Of The Year Show remains unequalled, four different Overall Show Pony Champions, the 13.2 Show Pony Of The Year and the Lloyds Bank (now Cuddy) In Hand Champion Pony Of The Year.

To recall the success of all his progeny would be endless, with offspring in England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, and The USA, but mention must go to his well known progeny in Australia, Syon Royal Portrait, Westacre Copelia, Janinos Little Joker, Deanhills Benjamin, Radway Right Royal, Radway Royal Sonnett, Fleetcroft Royal Whisper, etc. I was lucky to have two lovely fillies by him this season, Deanhills Royal Show and Deanhills Spring Carnival, which have both been prolific winners at the recent Foal Shows, and another two foals due by him next season. 

Dinky has been the backbone of many top ponies breeding in the UK, with many more here in Australia. He was himself by the legendary Keston Royal Occasion, and what a sire he was and to have a son so influential is also the sign of a great sire.

How could I add to the legend Dinky has become, his stock have won almost every championship in hand and ridden in the UK that is known, and at the age of 28 he did not let go without having ten mares in foal this year, he loved the move to Australia and the warmer winters even though we moved to Woodend, where the climate is cooler, but nothing in comparison to the winters of the UK. He enjoyed life and loved and lived for his mares, not good to collect for AI, but even at the age of twenty Eight, we sent semen to QLD, and the mare as I write is in foal to him, not one to let go of his family duties to easily.

Near the last days Dinky stilled called to me and was pleased to see his children each day. The sun was warm and spring like but with a chill in the air, the vet was called to give him a health check and his heart and lungs were fine but his weight and stifle were failing day by day so the horrid decision was made not to let him suffer any longer than necessary. His resting place is with Spring Holly Of Astral, and her Foal so sadly lost last year they now lie together in a beautiful spot beneath the rising sun at the edge of the wood, warm, peaceful, and with a beautiful view of Hanging Rock and the Macedon Ranges in no pain and in peace with the World, how he loved his final home.

A great friend and companion for 28 years he will leave a huge hole in my life he was a true friend and companion without question, we had disagreed many a time but we stayed together through thick and thin, that is a true friend.

"You will be very sadly missed my dear little man what a small thing you were when you were born and look what you achieved, a legend in your own lifetime, thank you for every thing, I will miss you like you will never know. Your legend will live on in your children. “Gone but never forgotten".

Robert Cockram

Ponies bred by the Stud have taken major Championships at most of the U.K's Premier shows, and progeny of the Stallions have been exported as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, The Channel Islands, and America

Deanhills bred ponies and others by Ensign and the Deanhills Stallions continue to win major Championships in the UK. Updated results will appear on the NEWS page as they happen.