lister was foaled in 1947, a son of the imported British stallion Whirlaway from a mare called New Flower by Nuffield. Everything about the colt was steeped in history. He was bred was Alfred Owen Ellison, better known as AO. Ellison had been born in Queensland on 1 January 1903, a son of a Methodist minister. He was educated at Newington College in Sydney and had a distinguished academic career culminating in graduating from Sydney University with a Bachelor of Arts (Law) with Honours in 1927. Having served as an articled clerk for Robson and Colwishaw during his studies, Ellison started his own practice, AO Ellison and Co almost immediately upon graduation. Commencing by specialising in industrial relations and occupational health and safety, the firm quickly expanded into insurance litigation and become one of the largest of its type in Sydney by the early 1930’s. Ellison enjoyed both horticulture and horses from a young age, and as his business expanded he found the income to indulge his hobbies. He started his horse breeding interests on a small seven-acre property at Wahroonga and expanded to keep some of his mares at Widden Stud. It was there that he became aware
