He raced in an era of Invincible champions but held his own with with pride

Gold Rod, by the sire Chief Ruler (GB), the leading sire in New Zealand 1929/30 & 1931/32 seasons was bred by Thomas Lowry in New Zealand. The grandson of the champion mare Desert Gold sold for 350 guineas to owner E.J.Watt. Dam Oreum (NZ) produced Gold Rod and Pure Gold who produced Gold Trail, winner of the 1933 Clifford Plate and 1934 Auckland Cup. Owner E.J.Watt was a member of the Australian Jockey Club committee and raced horses extensively in New Zealand before transferring his interests to Australia and owned the Darr River Downs property near Longreach, Queensland. Notable horses owned were Mountain Knight, Waikare and Mildura.

Gold Rod participated in races pre WWII from 1935 to 1940, during a period marked by notable champions such as Ajax, High Caste, and Beau Vite. He achieved significant victories in major WFA and Handicap races held in Sydney and Melbourne. Gold Rod's many accomplishments include winning the prestigious AJC Epsom Handicap in 1937 and the AJC Doncaster Handicap in 1939, both held at Randwick Racecourse. Additionally, Gold Rod defeated the dual W. S. Cox Plate winner, Young Idea, in the 1938 Hill Stakes. Trainer George Price was a former leading jockey in New Zealand and his stables were located at Prince Street, Randwick. He was renowned for his unwavering integrity and exceptional expertise in preparing and managing thoroughbred horses. His remarkable achievements include guiding Windbag to victory in the prestigious 1925 Melbourne Cup, Beaulivre's triumph in the 1940 Caulfield Cup, and Mildura's consecutive triumphs in the 1940 Newmarket Handicap and the 1940 and 1941 Doncaster Handicaps. Additionally, Ballymena's defeat of the legendary Gloaming in the 1924 Hill Stakes and Spear Chief's historic upset victory over the formidable Ajax at 40-to-1 odds in the 1939 Rawson Stakes, preventing Ajax from equaling a record of nineteen consecutive wins. This stand as testament to George's exceptional horsemanship and strategic acumen. Gold Rod was purchased later in his career by W.H.Russell from Hāwera for stud duties but died at sea in transit to New Zealand in 1946

RACE RECORD - 46:16-5-7
EARNINGS - £18,920

AJC Breeders Plate (1935)
VRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1936)
AJC Sires Produce Stakes (1936)
Hobartville Stakes (1936)
Chelmsford Stakes (1936)
Futurity Stakes (1937)
AJC St Leger (1937)
Epsom Handicap (1937)
VRC Essendon Stakes (1937)
Canterbury Stakes (1938)
Hill Stakes (1938, 1939)
Doncaster Handicap (1939)
Frederick Clissold Stakes (1940)