FAMOUS RACEHORSES

In 1840 that influential body then known as the Australian Race Committee, in a long statement, said: “They had in view the encouragement to breed that description of horse which was most desirable for colonial purposes—viz., one combining, with great strength and endurance, as much speed as we can procure.” The old-time breeders acted well up to those conditions, as we have proof in the wonderful stamina shown by such horses as Jorrocks, Veno, The Barb, Tarragon, Dagworth and Reprieve.

During the early part of the present century it became apparent that the horse was gaining in speed but losing in stamina. Trainers, who have spent a lifetime at the work, are all agreed that the horse of the present day has not the stamina or constitution of those horses bred in the middle and towards the close of the last century.

The question is often asked: “Which was the best horse that ever raced in Australia?” Racing men all have their fancies. I favour the idea of classing them according to the period in which they raced. Thus, the best horse of the early period of racing in this colony appears to have been Junius. Then comes Jorrocks, Veno, Zoe, Tarragon, The Barb, First King, Grand Flaneur, Malua, Sir Modred, Commotion, Carbine, Wakeful, Poseidon and Poitrel. Asked which were the better quartette of the lot mentioned as far as personal opinion goes, the reply would be: The Barb, Carbine, Sir Modred and Poitrel.

FRANK WILKINSON.

JORROCKS (†) by Whisker. Sold in 1841 by his breeder, Mr. H. Bailey, who took in exchange for the gelding 8 springing heifers (equivalent to £40 sterling). The gelding took part in 81 races, 57 of which he won, the majority being run in heats.

VENO (†). Ches. Horse, foaled about 1853, by Waverley—Peri. Winner A.J.C. Plate at Homebush, 1857, beat Alice Hawthorn in a match over 3 miles at Flemington for £2000 and the Championship of the N.S.W. and Victorian Turf. Owned by Mr. G. F. Rowe.

FISHERMAN (11) imp. Brown Horse, 1854, by Heron—Mainbrace. Winner of 65 races, including Ascot Gold Cup (twice), etc. Imported in 1860. Sire of Maribyrnong, Fishhook, Gasworks, Angler, etc. Died 1865.

FLYING BUCK (†). Bay Horse, 1856, by Warhawk or Romulus—Wilhemina. Winner of the first Champion Race at Flemington in 1859. Owned by the late Mr. W. C. Yuille, Victoria.

ARCHER (†). Bay Horse, 1856, by William Tell (imp.)—Maid of the Oaks. Winner of the first and second V.R.C. Melbourne Cups, etc. Owned by the late Mr. E. de Mestre, N.S.W.

CLOVE (3). Brown Mare, 1862, by Magus—Clove (imp.). Winner of the first A.J.C. Derby, and ancestress of Abercorn, Desert Rose, Wolaroi, etc. Owned by Mr. Cheeke.

YATTENDON (17). Brown Horse, 1861, by Sir Hercules—Cassandra. Winner of the first Sydney Cup, and one of the most successful sires bred in Australia. Died at Fernhill in 1880.

MARIBRYNONG (3). Brn. Horse, 1863, by Fisherman (imp.)—Rose de Florence (imp.). Winner of good races and a very successful sire. Among his progeny were Richmond, Bosworth, Woodlands, etc. Died in 1887.

THE BARB (†). Black Horse, 1863, by Sir Hercules—Fair Ellen. Winner of the Champion Race, Melbourne Cup, Metropolitan Stakes, Sydney Cup (on two occasions), the last time carrying 10 st. 8 lb. A really good horse. Sire of Tocal, Fitz Hercules, etc. Owned by the late Mr. John Tait, Sydney.

TIM WHIFFLER (4). Bay Horse, 1862, by New Warrior—Cinderella. Winner of the S.A.J.C. Derby, V.R.C. Melbourne Cup, Australian Cup, A.J.C. Metropolitan, etc. Owned by the late Mr. E. de Mestre, N.S.W.

CHESTER (8). Brown Horse, 1874, by Yattendon—Lady Chester (imp.). Winner of the V.R.C. Derby, Melbourne Cup, etc. A great racehorse, and the sire of Abercorn, Carlyon, etc. Bred and raced by Hon. James White. Died at Kirkham in 1891.

FIRST KING (12). Bay Horse, 1874, by King of the Ring—Mischief. Winner of numerous races, including the V.R.C. Champion Race, in which he established a time record up to the year he was successful. Sire of The Nun, Chintz, Ringmaster, etc. Owned by the late Mr. Jas. Wilson, Victoria.

ROBINSON CRUSOE (13). Brn. Horse, 1873, by Angler—Chrysolite (imp.). Winner of A.J.C. Derby, St. Leger, and other good races. Sire of Insomnia (dam of Wakeful), Navigator, Trident, etc. Died in 1898. Owned by Mr. C. B. Fisher.

GOLDSBROUGH (13). Brown Horse, 1870, by Fireworks—Sylvia. A high-class racehorse and sire, whose daughters produced many of the best horses of Australia, including Trenton, Wallace, Abercorn, etc. Died at Tocal Stud in 1898.

GRAND FLANEUR (14). Bay Horse, 1877, by Yattendon—First Lady (imp.). Winner of £7,939, including A.J.C. Derby, V.R.C. Melbourne Cup, etc. Unbeaten as a racehorse. Sire of Merman, Patron, Hopscotch, etc. Died at Chipping Norton in 1900.

ABERCORN (3). Ches. Horse, 1884, by Chester—Cinnamon. Winner of £12,828, including A.J.C. Derby, Randwick Plate, V.R.C. Champion Stakes, etc. Abercorn beat Carbine on three occasions at weight-for-age. Sire of Coil, Cocos, Cobbity, etc. Exported to England in 1898. Died in 1905. Raced by the late Hon. James White.

MALUA (3). Bay Horse, 1879, by St. Albans—Edella. Winner of the V.R.C. Newmarket Hcap., Melbourne Cup, and Grand National Hurdle Race, etc. Sire of Maluma, Malvolio, Mora, etc. Died 1896. Owned by the late Mr. J. O. Inglis, Victoria, who rode him in the Grand National Hurdle Race he won.

WAKEFUL (9). Bay Mare, 1896, by Trenton—Insomnia. Probably the best mare bred in Australia. Winner of £16,580, and at the stud has produced Nightwatch, Blairgour and Baverstock. Owned and raced by Mr. C. L. Macdonald, Victoria.

LA CARABINE (1). Ches. Mare, 1894, by Carbine—Oratava (imp.). A high-class stayer, winning 15 races, including Champion Race on two occasions. Raced by Sir Rupert Clarke, Bt., Victoria.

CARLITA (1). Brown Mare, 1911, by Charlemagne II. (imp.)—Couronne. Winner of V.R.C. Derby, Oaks, Champion Stakes, A.J.C. Randwick Plate, Craven Plate, etc. Now at the stud. Owned by Mr. P. Puech, Sydney.

TARTAN (13). Brown Horse, 1901, by Lochiel (imp.)—Colors. Winner of £9697, including A.J.C. Sydney Cup. Died 1914.

POSEIDON (10). Bay Horse, 1903, by Positano (imp.)—Jacinth. Winner of £19,946, including V.R.C. Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, A.J.C. and V.R.C. Derbies, etc. Sire of Telecles, Greg, Old Mungindi, etc. Owned by Mr. H. R. Denison, N.S.W.

PRINCE FOOTE (5). Bay Horse, 1906, by Sir Foote (imp.)—Petruscka (imp.) Winner of V.R.C. Melbourne Cup, A.J.C. and V.R.C. Derbies, etc. Sire of Richmond Main, Prince Viridis, Prince Charles, etc. Died 1922. Owned by his breeder, Mr. John Brown, Will’s Gully Stud, N.S.W.

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