Chapter XVI: The Gist of it all (3)

Poitrel is now in his second season at the Stud, and has let down and developed into a magnificent horse, who may do big things in his new sphere. Two high-class English importations—Valais, by Cicero, and Roseworthy, by William the Third—are being used at Arrowfield; and the twenty-three-year-old St. Alwyne, a son of St. Frusquin, and a great sire of stayers, is also ending his days in happiness near his best son, Poitrel. The Arrowfield mares are a splendid collection, and the stud ranks as one of the most representative of Australia’s horse-breeding establishments.

The peerless Wakeful, a winner of over £16,000 in stakes, is among the mares at Arrowfield, and the way she carries her age is a good advertisement for the richness of the Arrowfield pastures. She is still the property of Mr. C. L. Macdonald, whose colours she made so famous.

Adjoining Arrowfield, with only a fence between the two properties, is Woodlands, originally owned by the late Mr. H. C. White, but now the property of Mr. E. G. Blume. The original old stone-built homestead is still in use, and the view from the flagged verandah across the Hunter to the hills beyond has to be seen to be appreciated. Shepherd King, a good-looking horse by Martagon, is at the head of the stud, and is ably seconded by Duke Humphrey, a half-brother by John O’Gaunt to the English One Thousand Guineas winner Vaucluse, and these English horses have as a mate Piastre, a Melbourne Cup hero, by imported Positano. Woodlands can boast of a fine collection of mares, and the property has been brought thoroughly up to date since coming into the hands of its present owner.

Several small studs are to be found in more or less close proximity to the town of Muswellbrook, 76 miles from Newcastle and some 12 miles away from Woodlands. Among these are Messrs. Jos. Brown’s and Walter Brunton’s properties. The former has the Desmond horse, imported Montecello, in use, while Mr. Brunton does not keep a stallion but sends his well-bred matrons to the best available. His colours are conspicuous at Randwick, and he is not only a breeder but regularly buys at the yearling sales.

One of the best-known Muswellbrook properties is Merton, from whose luxurious paddocks Mr. E. R. White bred so many winners. It is now owned by Mr. W. H. Mackay, junr., a son of the owner of Beauford, and who inherits the family’s love of the Thoroughbred and their knowledge of them. He is just starting to breed in a small but successful way. Martindale, owned by the polo-playing White Bros., is not far away, and shelters an English classic winner in Night Hawk, winner of the Leger. This hefty son of Gallinule looks like doing yeoman service in the near future for his owners.

Leaving Muswellbrook we reach one of the most famous fattening properties on the Hunter in the famous Turanville Estate, with its beautiful flats and willow trees, and, adjoining this, is Camyr Allen, where two of the younger generation of the famous family of horse-breeding Thompsons have settled. The stud is owned by Messrs. W. B. and C. L. Thompson, who have had great success at the yearling sales, and in the paddocks is Bob Cherry, the dam of Eurythmic, the largest stake winner in Australia. His sire, Eudorus, an imported son of Forfarshire, and another English importation in Buckwheat, by Martagon, are the stallions being used at the time of writing by the Thompsons. The Camyr Allen mares are a very representative lot, and, as a great proportion of them are daughters of Maltster, it is almost unnecessary to add they have produced, and are producing, a big percentage of winners. Maltster, whose fame as a stallion is almost too well-known to bear repetition, has gained undying fame through his daughters.

Camyr Allen is only a few miles out from Scone, on the other side of which prosperous town we find the Sledmere Stud, which has been quite recently established by Messrs. H. R. Denison and H. G. Raymond, the latter recently bringing on his return from England the successful sire Quantock, a son of Thrush. Since coming to Australia Quantock’s stock have been remarkably successful in England, and he looks to hold the ball of stud success at his feet. A well-chosen and select band of matrons are happily ensconced in the Sledmere paddocks, and if the young Quantocks bred there follow in the footsteps of their English relatives, the stud’s fortune is made. At Sledmere is Mr. Denison’s old favourite Poseidon, a winner of over £19,000, and although more or less of a stud failure, is being well cared for in his declining years by his grateful owner. D. S. and H. Hall are young breeders in the Scone district, who generally are represented at the Sydney sales by a good-class yearling or two, and, leaving their place at Cressfield, we approach one of the largest and most important studs on the Upper Hunter in Kiora, the property of Mr. Percy Miller. No breeder of recent years has gone more whole-heartedly into the breeding business—for business it is nowadays—than the owner of Magpie, Sarchedon and Demosthenes, all very high-class English importations. The first-named horse is by Dark Ronald, and in his last race in England was beaten by a neck by his stable companion Gay Crusader in the English Derby. Demosthenes, by Desmond, and a close relation to Sunstar, was brought from New Zealand, where he had been a great stud success, at a very high figure; while Sarchedon, the most recent addition to the stud, and incidentally one of the highest priced horses who have come this way, is a grey son of The Tetrarch, and was the most brilliant two-year-old of his year in England. There are certainly more high-priced mares at Kiora than in any other New South Wales stud, and it keeps growing in numbers from year to year. The property is part of the very famous Segenhoe Estate, and the Hunter divides it from the original Segenhoe Homestead block where Mr. William Brown bred many good ones.

Across the range from Segenhoe, in a very rich bend of the Hunter, is Kingsfield, owned by Messrs. J. E. and C. H. Brien, and three stallions live in luxurious ease here. Malt King, one of the most brilliant horses we have had of recent years, and the fastest horse Maltster sired, has been at Kingsfield since the inception of the stud, and he is kept company by Beragoon, an Australian-bred son of Multiform, and the recently imported St. Frusquin horse Rossendale. Beragoon was one of the finest two-year-olds produced here, and was a racehorse of the highest class, winning both the A.J.C. and V.R.C. Derbies, and is siring some useful winners.

Rossendale comes from England with sire honours thick upon him, and with the splendid chances Kingsfield will afford him he should do really well, for he is a splendid type of horse whose racing merit was of the highest order. The Kingsfield brood mares are second to none, the foundation stock being young English mares bought at a very high cost from the well-known English breeder J. B. Joel, and the additions made to the mares since have been wisely chosen with a very high regard for quality and a disregard for cost. Kingsfield is an ideal situation for a Thoroughbred Stud, the Hunter running right through the property, which consists of rich flats extending by gradual slopes up to limestone hills, which form an almost natural boundary fence to the property.

Retracing our steps again to Scone, we find above Sledmere, on the Kingdon Ponds, the brilliant Panacre, by imported Linacre, at the head of the Cliffdale Stud, formed last year by Mr. J. Campbell Wood, whose colours Panacre carried with such success. On this very rich and sound piece of country a select stud is being put together, and the young Panacres will shortly be trying to emulate the deeds of their speedy sire. On north from Cliffdale Sir Samuel Hordern’s Petwyn Vale lies, a small, attractive holding whose name has yet to be made. Let us hope the well-bred Englishman Emblematic, a son of Tracery, and a fine stamp of stallion, will rise to fame and breed some good winners for his sporting owner, whose success as a breeder has been small in comparison with his efforts. He has the horse, the mares and the country—that great essential—and the remaining one, luck, let us hope, may be lurking behind one of the corner posts. Still further north, near Quirindi, is the Werribon Stud, and here The Sybarite, a half-brother to the ill-fated Craganour, is located, with a number of well-bred mares.

Branching off the Northern Railway line at Werris Creek, well outside the Hunter District, and running inland towards the Queensland Border, is Mungie Bundie, where Messrs. B. and J. P. Burgess have lately taken over the stud run so successfully by Mr. John McDonald. Here, on very rich country, is a grandson of Carbine in Mountain King, a successful sire, and this year he has been joined by another colonial-bred horse in Kennaquhair, one of the finest individuals and gamest horses who ever looked through the proverbial bridle.

Mr. D. Livingston, whose property, Boolaroo, is also in the Moree District, has recently joined the ranks of yearling breeders, and he has made an auspicious start by securing the imported Polymelus horse My Poppo, who is siring good winners. The Yetman Stud, owned by Mr. G. W. Dight, is farther north again, being practically on the Queensland Border. The well-bred importation Chipilly, a son of Spearmint, and that great mare Pretty Polly, is at the head of affairs at Yetman, and should help to strengthen the house of Carbine in Australia.

Back to Scone once more, and striking out across country towards the Widden Mountain in the direction of Mudgee, we find a belt of country which has no superior in Australia as a Thoroughbred nursery. Here is the home of a famous family of horse-breeders, the Thompsons, and it was here such famous stallions of the past as Lochiel, Grafton, Ayr Laddie and Maltster all earned their undying crown of fame. Widden is now owned by Messrs. A. W. and A. E. Thompson, and they, with their cousins, the Thompson Bros., of which firm Herbert is the head, have been wonderfully successful horse-breeders. Widden and Oakleigh are beautiful bits of country, and the excellence of their paddocks has contributed a great deal to the success of the numerous horses reared there. Herbert Thompson and his brother can lay claim to be the largest breeders of the Thoroughbred in the world to-day, and last year they sent down to the Sydney sales no less than seventy yearlings, all of whom sold remarkably well. At Widden the premier stallion of New South Wales, in Linacre, a well-performed son of Wolf’s Crag, shares the honours of the stud with the French-bred Kenilworth, a staying descendant of St. Simon. Both these stallions have been remarkably consistent as winner-getters, and if the grey Chrysolaus, the most recent addition to the stallion strength, meets with the same success, his dual owners, the Thompson Bros., and their cousins A. W. and A. E., will have no reason to regret having spent 3,600 guineas in acquiring him. The Widden and Oakleigh mares are a wonderful lot, and are kept up to a very high standard by the retention of the best fillies bred at the stud. In an article of this description it is impossible to write of individual mares, for reference to the good producers owned by the Thompsons would fill many large sized volumes. At Oakleigh are the English stallions Gadabout, by St. Denis, Sir Dighton, by Bayardo, and Cooltrim, by Flying Fox, and the Australian-bred Greenstead, by The Welkin (imp.). The stud suffered a severe loss recently by the death of imported Tressady, a successful son of Persimmon.

Another Thompson holding is Canema, where Baverstock, a son of Maltster, and Wakeful, is siring winners, his son David ranking as one of the best stayers racing in Australia at the present time. Eaton Lad, by Orvieto, sires his share of useful horses at Holbrook, near Widden, for his owner, T. A. Harris. Leaving Widden behind us, and traversing the Bylong Valley, long famous for the production of good cattle and horses, we get within close call of Mudgee. Some ten miles before you reach this veritable lucerne oasis Havilah appears in its picturesque frame of hills, and here some good performers have been and are being bred. The property is now owned by Hunter White, a member of one of the best-known pastoral families in Australia, and a nephew of the late James White, a counter-type of the famous Admiral Rous. Three, a very highly bred son of The Welkin, is the hope of the Havilah Stud at the present time, and he is a splendid individual who looks like getting good stock. Mr. Hunter White not only breeds on a large scale, but is a staunch supporter of the N.S.W. Turf, and no colours are more popular than the red jacket and white Maltese cross of their non-betting owner.

On the other side of Mudgee Mr. D. U. Seaton has Eurunderee, where his brilliant racehorse Wolaroi is embarking on his stud career. Wolaroi, by Kenilworth, was bred and raced by his owner, and few more brilliant horses have carried silk of recent years. Another good performer, in the Bright Steel horse Westcourt, a Melbourne Cup hero, is at Eurunderee, and the stud has a nice collection of English and colonial-bred mares.

Farther out from Eurunderee is the old-established stud Biraganbil, owned for years by the Rouse family, and the present owners, Messrs. L. G. and H. C. Rouse are keeping up the family’s long connection with the Thoroughbred. A beautifully bred son of Chaucer, in imported Allegory, holds sway at Biraganbil, and, if judicious mating will mean success, the horse has got into the right stud. It is almost needless to say that L. G. Rouse is identical with the keeper of the Australian Stud Book, and there is no sounder judge of pedigree in the Southern Hemisphere. He has done splendid work in his official capacity, not only as regards the Stud Book, but also as a Racing Steward, etc., and our Thoroughbred breeders are under a debt of gratitude to him, and Mr. Archie Yuille, of Melbourne, for their efforts in recording reliable breeding records whose value cannot be over-estimated.

Dunlop, near Merriwa, is a stud of fairly recent origin, Mr. T. A. Stirton having established his splendid horse Cetigne, by Grafton (imp.), there, as well as the flying Biplane, by Comedy King (imp.), a dual Derby winner and one of the fastest horses of his day.

Another Western Stud, situated near Wellington, on the banks of the Macquarie, some 80 miles from Mudgee, is that of Mr. Harry Taylor, a successful breeder. A recent purchase is the New Zealand-bred Humbug, a great, strapping son of Absurd, and a fine performer in the land of the Moa. He also owns a fine son of The Welkin in Trillion, and some very high-class mares. Mr. E. J. Watt, whose dark-blue jacket is familiar to most racegoers in most parts of Australia, has the Boomey Stud near Molong, an important station on the branch line from Orange to the Lachlan and not far from Wellington. A horse of his own breeding in Pershore, a son of All Black (imp.), is at Boomey, and he will not want for opportunity among the mares he is being mated with.

Near Cowra, a flourishing Western town, is Alfalfa, owned by the Payten Bros., sons of the successful trainer, Tom Payten, who saddled so many good winners for the Hon. James White. The colonial-bred Popinjay, a brilliant son of Maltster, has done yeoman service for his youthful owners since being given to them by the present Chief Justice of Australia, Sir Adrian Knox, whose colours he carried with distinction.

Here, too, in the rich Lachlan country, Mr. I. J. Sloan breeds a number of good horses, and the latest addition to his stud in the English horse Cyllene More should materially increase the record of winners turned out from the North Logan Paddocks. Cyllene More, as his name implies, is a son of the great Cyllene, and his dam is the well-performed St. Maura.

Another star in the Western breeders’ firmament is Mr. E. A. Haley, whose stud is not far from the celebrated Leeholme, where the great mare Etraweenie and her daughters bred so many good horses for the late Hon. George Lee. At Tekoona, near Bathurst, Mr. Haley has a real English aristocrat in Redfern, by St. Denis. This well-performed horse will be represented in the yearling sale ring of 1923 for the first time, and if Redfern’s progeny inherit their sire’s speed all will be well for the Tekoona Stud. Redfern was imported at a high cost by Sir William Cooper, Bart., who raced Trenton and other good horses, and whose colours were very popular with the Australian racing public.

Another Bathurst studmaster is Mr. John Lee, whose family bears a name famous in Australian turf and stud history. He is justly proud of a fine son of The Welkin in Wedge, the last horse to carry Mr. John Turnbull’s respected and popular colours, and who is just embarking on his stud life.

An enthusiastic breeder in Mr. C. S. Macphillamy is happily located at Warroo, near Forbes, on the Lachlan, whose peaceful waters, usually teeming with bird and fish life, flow on through the property. Good winners in the past have first seen the light of day in the rich river frontages of Warroo, and a recently acquired English horse in Polydor, by Polymelus, should sire many more there.

The Southern Districts of New South Wales breed many good horses, and the Messrs. G. and H. Main have turned out their share of winners since starting breeding at their Retreat Stud, near Illabo. William Allison, the renowned “Special Commissioner” of the London “Sportsman,” made no mistake in sending out to them the good-looking sire, Limelight, and some beautifully bred English mares, for in his first stud season Limelight was successful in siring the brilliant dual Derby winner Salitros.

At Wagga, one of the oldest racing centres of the State, Mr. J. J. McGrath and his sons have their Wattle Vale property, and this year a recent purchase in the New Zealand-bred Egypt, an own brother to the famous mare, Desert Gold, will be used the first time by them.

One of the most recently formed Southern Studs is Curraburrama, near Young, owned by Mr. A. P. Wade, whose transactions in matters pertaining to the pastoral industry generally have been on a very large scale during recent years. He has established at the head of his Thoroughbred stud a good-looking and well-bred stallion in Colugo, by The Welkin (imp.), who will not want for opportunity. Mr. Wade does not do things by halves and is giving Colugo a great chance with some splendid mares at the outset of his career.

The rich, sound lands of the Upper Murray are ideal pastures for the production of big-boned, sound horses, and here at Towong Hill, just across the river on the Victorian side, stands a turf idol of yesterday in splendid Trafalgar, the well-beloved of the Randwick and Flemington crowds. Had his owner, the late Mr. Walter Mitchell, lived, Trafalgar’s stud chances would have been greater than they now are.

Messrs. Leitch, A. E. Tyson, A. S. O’Keefe, etc., are all breeders who contribute their quota to the number of good horses the South produces. Mr. A. S. O’Keefe had in imported Bright Steel a very noble son of St. Simon, whose memory will be kept alive by Westcourt, Chrome, Scarlet and others.

Thoroughbreds also find a place on the Northern Rivers, and the old-established studs of Gordon Brook and Dyraaba, near Casino, have turned out their share of winners. The first-named property no longer goes in for thoroughbred breeding, but Mr. H. S. Barnes has a very elegant son of Bridge of Canny in the imported horse Canzone at Dyraaba as well as another English-bred horse in Repartee, by Melton, and is breeding some very useful horses.

Of the studs near Sydney, the famous old Hobartville comes easily first; a beautiful old home surrounded by the most magnificent trees and situated just outside the historic town of Richmond. Now owned by Mr. Percy Reynolds, it still keeps up its reputation for producing high-class winners, and in his English stallions Bernard, a son of Robert le Diable, and Bardolph, by Bay Ronald, Mr. Reynolds has two most valuable sires whose progeny for the most part know how to stay. Here it was that the Ascot Gold Cup winner Merman first saw the light of day, as well as the countless good horses bred by Andrew Town, Messrs. Long and Hill, and other breeders who owned the property in bygone times.

Another historic property not far from Sydney is the Camden Park Estate, owned by the Macarthur Onslow family, whose ancestor, Captain Macarthur, brought out the first Merino sheep to Australia. A beautifully bred horse in imported Polycrates, by Polymelus, is in use at Camden Park, as well as another importation in the Desmond horse Flying King.

This about completes the itinerary of the Thoroughbred Homes of New South Wales, and most of these mentioned send drafts of yearlings regularly to the Sydney sales held every Easter at Randwick by the bloodstock firms of Messrs. H. Chisholm and Co. and William Inglis and Son. About 500 yearlings are offered each year, and most of the breeders get a satisfactory return. In 1920, 572 yearlings realized £107,233, averaging £187/15/-; in 1921, 512 brought £104,891, averaging slightly over £204; while last year the 524 sold aggregated £101,669, averaging £194. The sales have grown steadily in importance each year, and buyers attend from all parts of Australia and New Zealand to satisfy their wants. The possibility of buying an embryo Breeders’ Plate or Derby winner cheaply is the magnet which lures the bids from the buyers at the ringsides. There is a fascination in buying a yearling which does not enter into the purchase of a horse whose galloping powers have been tested, and nearly every buyer at the sales thinks, until disillusioned, that he has the winner of the next Derby in his newly acquired equine baby. When one pauses to consider that the average number of runners in a Derby field is about ten, it will be seen what disappointments the yearling lucky dip holds. It is good that racing men, one and all, are more or less always cheerfully optimistic, and the compensation of a yearling purchase turning out well makes up for a lot of disappointments.

Victoria has, after many years of stagnation, taken on a new lease of life as a stud centre, and, with such successful stallions as Comedy King, The Welkin and Woorak, all located south of the Murray, New South Wales will have to look to her laurels.

The valley of the Goulburn has become the happy hunting-ground of the Victorian breeder, and mostly all the principal studs are now located in this rich strip of country, which extends from Seymour along the banks of the river for many miles.

At Wahring, about 87 miles distant from Melbourne, Mr. Norman Falkiner has established his Noorilim Stud, whose rich and highly improved paddocks shelter the best collection of mares owned by any one man in Australia. Here, too, is that most perfect horse Comedy King (imp.), a splendid son of Persimmon, and one of the outstanding stud successes of to-day. He is a most versatile sire, producing as he does sprinters, stayers, Cup and Grand National winners. With Comedy King at Noorilim is the imported Spearmint horse Spearhead, a highly bred young English horse who is just starting his stud life.

Some ten miles away on the Melbourne side is Chatsworth Park, where the Redfearn family bred many good horses in days gone by. The V.R.C. Chairman, Mr. L. K. S. McKinnon, on Woorak’s retirement from the turf, established him at Chatsworth at the head of a very select lot of mares, but dispersed the stud in 1921. Chatsworth is now owned by Mr. Hildyard, who is gradually establishing a stud there with the imported Quæstor, by Cicero, at the head of it. The hunting enthusiast, Mr. A. T. Creswick, whose years sit lightly on him and who yet takes tea with the best of them over the stiff post and rail fences the Melbourne Hounds hunt over, has a nice property at Negambie. Here, at the Nook Stud, is All Black, an imported son of Gallinule, and whose daughter Desert Gold is one of the best of the Australasian Turf’s fair sex. White Star, an own brother to the English Derby winner Sunstar, is also at The Nook with a wonderfully choice collection of mares, who are bound to produce more than their share of winners. Not far away Mr. Winter Irving keeps some half-dozen very select mares, and he has already added to the valley’s reputation by breeding good horses.

This year death removed Mr. J. V. Smith, a familiar figure from the horse-breeding world of Victoria; he has left his sons to carry on his breeding operations. Only recently the stud was moved from Bundoora, where it had been for many years, to Kuarangi, a rich valley property near Dhurringle. Wallace, who was at Bundoora for several seasons, was undoubtedly the best horse Carbine left behind him in Australia, and the Messrs. Smith are happy in the possession of a number of well-bred mares by him. The stallion now in use is Ethopiam (imp.), a son of Dark Ronald, and this year will be his first at the stud. Toolamba is another valley stud of recent origin, owned by Dr. S. A. Syme. He has a prospective stud success here in imported Lanius, a very well performed and staying son of Llangibby, whose progeny are just starting to race this season. The New Zealand-bred Broadsword is also at Toolamba, and siring useful horses.

All the successful Victorian studs are not to be found in the fertile Goulburn pastures, for one of the most famous of them is situated some 20 miles the other side of Melbourne. This is Mr. E. E. D. Clarke’s property, Melton, which he keeps almost entirely as a private stud, only selling a few yearlings each year at the sales. Melton shelters that wonderful horse The Welkin, one of the most successful stallions ever imported to the colonies. Another importation is Cyklon, by Spearmint, who was bought by Mr. Clarke quite recently. This year Melton has achieved something in the way of a double-barrelled record, for The Welkin is at the head of the Winning Sires’ List, while Mr. Ernest Clarke tops the names of the Winning Owners of Australia.

Other Victorian breeders, in Messrs. Philip Russell, Major Alan Currie and the Hon. Agar Wynne, have all established studs on the Western Plains of Victoria, and are breeding their share of winners; while Messrs. F. W. Norman, D. J. Bourke, H. F. Creswick, A. S. Chirnside are also doing their bit in the production of the Victorian Thoroughbred.

Most of the breeders above named send drafts of yearlings annually to the sales held in Melbourne during March by Messrs. W. C. Yuille & Co. and Messrs. Adamson, Strettle & Co. The number of yearlings sold by the two firms falls a long way short of the number offered in Sydney, but they are remarkably successful.

South Australia does not produce a great number of Thoroughbreds, but quality is very much in evidence in the yearling drafts which are annually sold in Victoria by Messrs. J. H. Aldridge and R. M. Hawker. Richmond Park, owned by the Aldridges, has been famous as a Thoroughbred nursery for many years, and has been remarkably successful in insistently producing good winners. The sires now in use are Pistol, by Carbine, imported some years ago; St. Anton, by St. Frusquin; and Lucknow, by Minoru. Mr. L. F. Aldridge, who manages Richmond Park, is a practical enthusiast who leaves nothing to chance. Mr. R. M. Hawker comes of a South Australian family famous as sheep breeders, but he has shown that he can breed Thoroughbreds equally as well, and his young Cyklons are proving themselves on the racecourse.

Western Australia for years barely attempted to produce the home-grown article in the Thoroughbred, but recently Messrs. P. A. Connelly, D. Grant and others have started breeding with success, and with others following their example the West should more than hold their own against horses bred in the other States.

The Thoroughbred studs of Queensland are more or less confined to a very rich tract of country known as the Darling Downs, situated within easy reach of the New South Wales border. Here Mr. C. E. McDougall has that fine property Lyndhurst, where he has been breeding winners for many years. Lyndhurst has been particularly fortunate in its stallions, for Ladurlad (imp.), Syce (imp.) and Seremond (imp.) have all been stud successes, Syce in particular being a really great sire. Another English importation in Chantemerle, by Polymelus, is now at Lyndhurst in company with Seremond; and the stud sends drafts of yearlings annually to the Sydney sales, where they sell exceptionally well. Mr. J. H. S. Barnes, a member of a well-known New South Wales family of horse-breeders and pastoralists, recently bought the Canning Downs property near Warwick, on the Darling Downs, and has imported Highfield, by William the Third, at the head of his stud of select mares established there. Other well-known Queensland breeders in Messrs. M. Ryan and W. Glasson are producing winners, and the future of the Thoroughbred in the Northern State seems brighter than it has been for many years.

Thoroughbred horse breeding seems to be on the increase in nearly all the States, and though the modern Australian Thoroughbred may not be as tough an animal as his early progenitors, or possess their staying powers, he is, taken all round, a sounder horse than is produced in any other part of the world to-day. The few horses that have been sent to England from Australia have more than held their own both on the racecourses and at the stud, and it is to be hoped that the demand from home for the good staying Waler will be revived.

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.
]

RACING IN NEW SOUTH WALES

By FRANK WILKINSON (MARTINDALE)

The early history of racing in New South Wales is somewhat obscure owing to the extreme reticence of the State’s first journals.

The first newspaper published in New South Wales was the “Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser,” which made its appearance on March 5th, 1803. There was no competition, and thus the recognition of good news depended on the inclination of a single office staff.

The first sporting note published in the “Gazette” was relative to a cockfight which took place in the village of Parramatta in September, 1804. It was not until April 30, 1810, that any mention of racing was made. Six years later the “Gazette” of May 5th records a match at Parramatta on April 5th. Even in this first notice there are indications given of previous matches, and a considerable amount of fame attributed to some of the performers.

The report is interesting:—

The following express from a correspondent at Parramatta. We
acknowledge its receipt by its insertion. The annals of this country
have never been able to record such _outré_ pastimes—such feats of
humour and fun so congenial to the spirit and temper of Englishmen as
this day has produced in the village of Parramatta. The sport
commenced with a race between the celebrated horse Parramatta and the
b.h. Belfast, which was won by the former. A trotting race succeeded,
when the famous mare Miss Betty was victorious, going over the ground
in a style scarcely to be surpassed by some of the first trotters in
England. On these matches, bets to a considerable amount were pending.

When these animals had retired from the field, the old but not very
humane or merciful custom of cockfighting was introduced, and a main
of cocks was fought, the chances of which were for a long time
precarious until at length death decided the victory, and the survivor
was borne off triumphant. Then succeeded the motley mirth of
footracing, wheelbarrow races, or rather stumbling, for the heroes who
had charge of these wooden conveyances were blindfolded to give them a
fairer chance of effecting by accident that which they had no visible
means of doing. Jumping in sacks came next in order, and a venerable
host gave the calculated complement of calico for a “chemise” to be
run for by three vestals of the current order. This was a very warm
contest, and was obstinately kept up as long as the fair competitors
could keep themselves up. But this not being practicable nor
altogether answerable to the wishes of the spectators, the sacks were
soon disburthened of their fair contents and the prize awarded. The
day’s proceedings finished up with the carrying of the good host on
the shoulders of some spectators to his own door, when he “shouted”
for his carriers with a copious libation of the best West Indian
product.

THE FIRST RACE MEETING AT SYDNEY.

The officers of the 73rd Regiment, together with many of the better class of people in Governor Macquarie’s reign, were evidently keen on racing, for they announced in the “Gazette” that the Sydney races were to take place in October (1810) for three fifty-guinea plates. A track was prepared on what is now known as Hyde Park. Chatting with some of the old hands years ago I was told that the stand was placed close by what is now the junction of Market and Elizabeth Streets, the straight being along the latter thoroughfare from Park Street. The attendance was the largest ever collected in the colony. The winners were:—

Subscribers’ Plate of fifty guineas Chase
Ladies’ Cup, fifty guineas Chase
Magistrate’s Purse, fifty guineas Scratch

The second Sydney race meeting occupied August 12th, 14th and 16th, 1811, on the Hyde Park track. On the first day the Subscription Plate of fifty guineas was won by Mr. Bent’s ch. g. Matchem, while Captain Ritchie’s Cheviot won the Two-year-old Sweepstakes. Here we have the interesting fact of thoroughbreds being produced, yet not a word as to their sires or dams. On the second day the Ladies’ Cup of fifty guineas was won by Colonel O’Connel’s Carlo and the presentation to the winner was made by Mrs. Macquarie. A pony race was won by Mrs. James Cox’s Fidget. On the third day the Magistrate’s Plate was won by Mr. William’s Strawberry.

Just a year elapsed before the third meeting took place. It extended over four days, August 17, 19, 21 and 22. On the opening day Colonel O’Connel’s black horse Carlo won the Subscription Purse of fifty guineas, and Mr. Williams’s rn. h. Strawberry took the Ladies’ Cup on the second day. Mr. Birch’s Cheviot won the Subscription Purse of fifty guineas on the third day. The sporting people also subscribed fifty guineas for a three-mile race, in which Mr. Kearns’ b. m. Creeping Jenny outdistanced her two opponents. On the fourth day a sweepstake of fifteen guineas for gentlemen riders was won by Mr. R. Campbell’s Tallboy, and a match for twenty guineas between Captain Cameron’s Miss Portly and Captain Crane’s Erin was won by the former.

The fourth race meeting was held on August 16, 18 and 19 (1813), when Little Pickles won a 50-guinea Plate; Carlo won the Ladies’ Cup and Plate; Purse, Mulberry.

It was not until May 31, 1819, that a race meeting was held, when a programme of three events was run off. A Silver Cup (two-mile heats) was won by Mr. Emmett’s Rob Roy, beating Commissary and five others. A Silver Bowl for three-year-olds went to Mr. Cribb’s Sly Boots, who beat Haphazard and three others. The third race was for a saddle and bridle, which were easily appropriated by Mr. R. Campbell’s Speedy.

In 1820 there was a race meeting which extended over two days. It was a poor affair. A Subscription Cup (three-mile heats) was run, in which Mr. Frank’s Rob Roy beat Mr. Fisher’s Pickles. On the second day Mr. Walker’s Haphazard won a Subscription Purse, and Mr. Campbell’s Speedy won a prize of £20, while Mulberry collected a Silver Bowl, Cover and Saddle.

There was a three-days’ meeting on August 14, 15 and 16, 1821, when the winning horses were Rob Roy, Captain Dandy, Deceit, Bray and Leadbeater. The event which created most interest was the Subscription Purse of 50 guineas, presented by the ladies of the colony for three-year-olds carrying 7 stone, two-mile heats. It was won by Mr. Walker’s blk. f. Miss Nettleton, after three heats, of which Mr. Cooker’s Random won the first.

The year 1822, and the two following years, are entirely bare of sporting news, and not until 1825 did turf affairs improve. During the month of March a new turf club was formed, with the Governor, Sir Thomas Brisbane, as patron. A race club was also instituted at Parramatta, and an impromptu meeting held on a new course four miles outside Sydney, on March 17. At first it was resolved to limit the members of the new turf club to sixty, but this was considered too exclusive. Sir John Jamieson was elected president, and the first race meeting was held at Hyde Park on April 25 and 26, 1825. At this meeting the afterwards celebrated Junius made a victorious appearance by securing first place in the Town Plates of 50 sovereigns (heats). He was owned by Mr. Nash, and for some time after was termed the champion horse of the colony. At this meeting he also secured the Magistrate’s Plate, and at the second meeting of the Sydney Turf Club, held on September 23, 24 and 25, Junius won two events. At this meeting we read of a Handicap Stakes of five guineas each, with ten guineas added, won by Mr. Nichol’s Captain, 7st. 2lb. This is the first mention of a handicap run on the Australian turf. There was also a six-furlong race for two-year-olds, won by Australian.

Racing at Parramatta.

The new club at Parramatta held its opening meeting on October 7 and 8. There was a most fashionable attendance. Slender Billy, nominated by Mr. Nash, won the J.C. Plate in three heats; Mr. Bayley’s Traveller took the Ladies’ Purse, and also beat Slender Billy in a match for 20 sovereigns, following up by gaining the Town Plate in two heats. His Excellency the Governor presented a purse won by Mr. Yorrick’s Prince.

A New Racecourse.

The Committee of the Sydney Turf Club were evidently determined to push the sport ahead. They had a fresh course laid out during 1826. The new track, about four miles from Sydney, lay on the Parramatta Road, between Gorse Farm and the farm belonging to Mr. Johnson, where the annual races took place on June 14 and 16 of that year. It is said that there were 2,000 people present when Junius won the Brisbane Cup (heats, twice round). Junius also won the Turf Club Plate. Other winners were Mr. Wentworth’s Don Giovanni, Colonel Dumaresque’s Alraschid, Mr. Bayley’s Nesta and Mr. Roberts’ Captain.

The second meeting on the new course took place on April 25 and 27, 1827, in unfavourable weather. Junius again won the Brisbane Cup, and Australia won a Sweepstakes (mile heats). On the second day Junius walked over for the Town Plate, when Mr. Nash, his owner, gave the prize for a second competition. It was won by a horse owned by a Mr. Brown, of Windsor. Australia also won the second Subscription Race.

The other notable event of this year—1827—was the first race meeting ever held at Campbelltown, on August 13, when three events of £50 each were run off. The keenest contest of the day is said to have been between Young Junius and a horse owned by a Mr. Sikes. Young Junius took the prize.

On September 14 Mr. Deely secured Steeltrap for £250, with the proviso that the horse should be allowed to cover, free of cost, twenty-five mares the property of his late owner. Steeltrap was a chestnut horse, imported by Mr. Aspinall in 1823. He was by Scud from Prophetess, by Sorcerer.

During the month of October, 1829, at a show held at Parramatta, Sir John Jamieson’s Bennelong, a son of imported Steeltrap, was awarded first prize, and at Parramatta races Australian won the Promoter’s Purse and the Handicap Sweepstakes. Scratch, who came down from the Hawkesbury district, won the Australian Youths’ Stakes, beating a good field—Highflyer, Bowler, Abdallah, Creeper, Smallhopes and Honeycomb.

A New Race Club.

In November, 1827, an event happened which played a most important part in Australian turf history. At a dinner given in honour of Sir Thomas Brisbane some remarks were made by Mr. Wentworth and Dr. Wardell, which were thought to bear a political significance. The result was that Governor Darling considered himself insulted, withdrew his patronage from the Sydney Turf Club, and subsequently issued arbitrary injunctions to all members of the Civil Service to do likewise on pain of dismissal. Many members had thus to leave the old club, but they were not long idle in setting about forming another.

However, the split in the camp did not prevent the old club from racing on April 9th and 11th, 1828. On the first day, the third Brisbane Cup was won by Mr. Brown’s bl. h. Scratch, beating the old champion Junius. There was a great race for the Produce Stakes of £75, for 2-year-olds, the progeny of Steeltrap, Cammerton and Baron. There were four starters, Mr. Lawson’s bl. c. Spring Gun, by Steeltrap, winning by a neck from Sir J. Jamieson’s b. c. Bennelong, by Cammerton. In a match for £1,000 aside, Abdallah beat Don Giovanni, and Mr. Lawson’s 2-year-old filly Nell Gwynne, by Steeltrap, won the Turf Club Plate of 50 guineas (heats once round). The winning of the race was a great surprise, as she beat such good performers as Australian, Young Hector, Brown George, and Junius. The lastnamed must have been out of form, as he was distanced. On the second day Abdallah won the Members’ Purse, also the Sweepstakes, while Australian won the Town Plate and Handicap Sweepstakes.

The Australian Racing and Jockey Club.

On April 23, 1828, the new club was established under the name of the Australian Racing and Jockey Club, to which Governor Darling accorded his patronage. At that time it was generally known as the Governor’s Club, and was expected to materially injure the old club. However, such was not the case, for during the next few years there were three and four meetings in place of one.

A Liberal Governor.

On July 7, 1828, the “Gazette” announced Governor Darling’s intention to present a cup annually to the new Jockey Club. The first meeting was held on October 1st and 3rd on the Parramatta Racecourse, as the Turf Club refused them the use of the course near Sydney. The first day’s programme opened with the Governor’s Cup heats, twice round the course, gentlemen riders, and the eventual winner was Mr. Lawson’s 3-year-old, Spring Gun. Other starters were Bennelong, Junius, Lawyer and Currency Lad. One of the most hotly contested races ever witnessed in the colony was for a sweepstake of 10 guineas each, with 25 guineas added. Australian won. A 2-year-old filly named Cornelia, owned by Mr. Icely, made a victorious effort. A hack race, won by Mr. Riley’s Major, and a match in which a pony owned by Mr. Terry defeated Mr. Stephen’s Don Giovanni, concluded the day’s sport.

On the second day, Australian won the Town Plate, and Lawyer (who afterwards had his name changed to Counsellor) won the Maiden Plate. The meeting concluded with the winning of the Handicap Sweepstakes by Australian, who defeated Abdallah.

Leading Events of 1829.

On April 8th and 10th, the Turf Club held a popular meeting on its own course. The report states that there were 5,000 people present on the first day, when Mr. Lawson’s Spring Gun won the fourth Brisbane Cup, beating Crowcatcher, Scratch and Australian. Mr. Lawson’s stable was in great form, as his horses won the three events of the day. His filly, Princess, took the Two-year-old Stakes, whilst Spring Gun won the Wentworth Purse. On the second day, Spring Gun won the Town Plate, but Princess was beaten by Australian in the Sweepstakes. In the Second Handicap Sweepstakes, the favourite, Scratch, was beaten by Crowcatcher. This was a great disappointment to the favourite’s followers from Windsor, who offered to make a match to run the winner in a month’s time, but the owner of Crowcatcher would not agree.

The Australian Racing and Jockey Club ran off a two-days’ programme on April 22nd and 24th. The Challenge Cup took four heats to decide the winner, owing to a dispute. Sir John Jamieson’s Bennelong eventually got the verdict. A Maiden Plate of £30 for two-year-olds resulted in a win for Mr. Icely’s Counsellor. A sweepstake of £10, with £20 added, was won by Sir John Jamieson’s Abdallah, which also won the Subscription Stakes on the second day. The Ladies’ Purse went to Counsellor, who, saddled up a third time, appropriated the Handicap Sweepstakes. His only opponent, Abdallah, won the first heat, and the talent laid 5 to 1 on him for the second, but the horse threw his rider. A hack race, won by Alraschid, brought the meeting to a close.

Hawkesbury Races.

The Hawkesbury Races took place on July 22nd and 24th, when funds were poor. To the joy of the local contingent, Scratch won the opening event, Steward’s Cup of £50, after a good race with Abdallah. Counsellor took the Ladies’ Purse. A chestnut filly by Steeltrap won the Two-year-old Stakes, beating Sir John Jamieson’s Chance, by Camerton or Abdallah. On the second day the filly Chance was entered as by Abdallah, and unnamed, for a Subscription Stakes of 25 guineas. She won, but a protest was entered on the ground that she had previously run as Chance. She was withdrawn, and the race run over again, when Scratch won. The Town Plate was won by Counsellor, and the Handicap Sweepstakes by Scratch. The meeting closed with a hack race, won by a black filly owned by Mr. Badgery.