Turf Monthly December 2021

monthly

TURF

December 2021

VERRY ELLEEGANT THE NEW CUPS QUEEN

CARBINE

BETTER THAN PHAR LAP

AMBERITE AND LA CARABINE

TWO FORGOTTEN CHAMPIONS

Editor’s Letter With another Spring Carnival over and done with, it never ceases to amaze me the wonderful stories that come out of the industry. The story of Incentivise is a wonderful one, but nothing in my view tops the continued rise of the superstar Verry Elleegant. We look at that mare’s new position as the Cups Queen of Australian racing, achieving something that neither Winx or Makybe Diva managed. The disappointing part of the Spring is the growth of the anti-racing protesters. We even see a Green’s Senator vowing to end the industry. Funnily these anti-racing groups seem to appear only in the Spring when they will gain the biggest audience for their personal views and advancement. One of the statistics that was being sprouted is that one horse dies on the track every three days. The claim is that over 120 horses die directly from racing every year. There are no actual statistics that I can find to back up this claim, but even if we do accept the number on face value, that still means that the numbers of fatalities per race, or even race meeting, is incredibly small. No matter how small, there is not one person in the industry that wished it was not lower. Most, although admittedly there are some unscrupulous operators, are actively involved in making the sport safer for both horses and participants.

The pain of a death is felt through the entire industry which really is one big family. The one point though that is never discussed is what would happen if racing ceased? The thoroughbred has no other reason to exist other than to race. Without racing, horses have no value.

They are also an introduced species so cannot just be released into the environment. There is no argument that other equine sports are the answer. They have the same issues. Horses are heavy animals who stand on relatively inadequate legs. This causes injury in any environment. Horse deaths were common among those used for work be it droving or transport or any of the multitude of activities we have tasked our equine friends with. Modern civilisation has no use for the horse, so their future outside of sport is almost zero.

To doom a species to extinction on the basis that it is good for them is no more than an exercise in futility.

CONTENTS 4

Verry Elleegant

8

Carbine

20

Dan O’Brien

24

Donald Wallace

25

Walter Hickenbotham

26

Carbine At Stud

33

Amberite

41

Century

44

La Carabine

50

Great Races - 2020 Caulfield Cup

Cover Image 2021 Melbourne Cup

Until next month

Ross Prowd

Turf Monthly ABN 64 892 144 940 Phone 0412 712 181

Email editor@turfmonthly.com.au Unit 4/125 West St Menzies Qld 4825

TURF MONTHLY 3

VERRY ELLEEGANT MELBOURNE CUP 2021

T

he 2021 Melbourne Cup deserves to hold a special place in history. It was the day that Verry Elleegant proved that she was worthy to be placed alongside the very best gallopers that we have ever seen. It might seem odd to say that the reigning Horse of the Year is underrated, but she certainly has never been spoken of in terms of the true greats. Historically she has been in the shadow of the remarkable Winx who quite rightly was the public darling. On 13 April 2019, the day that Winx retired after winning the Queen Elizabeth at Randwick, Verry Elleegant was announcing that she was after the crown having won the AJC Oaks at the same track. In terms of history, four years earlier Winx had run second to Gust Of Wind in her tilt at the AJC Oaks which was to be the gallant mare’s last ever defeat on a racecourse.

T

his year’s Melbourne Cup was quite amazing in many terms. Firstly, some may remember the last champion mare to win the Melbourne Cup in Makybe Diva who has set the benchmark for that race. Older readers may remember other great mares like Let’s Elope and Leilani who were idolised by an adoring public in that race, win, lose or draw. Verry Elleegant was not afforded that same sense of adoration, and even the fact that she was not confirmed as a starter until a few days before the race seemed to play into the forgotten horse narrative. To further compound this notion, we saw the public get behind the newest racing star in Incentivise. What that horse did was amazing, to come from where he was earlier this year to start the shortest priced favourite since Phar Lap was a story in itself. In the end, it was merely a distraction from the true star of the day, the incomparable Verry Elleegant.

T

he champion mare is a daughter of Zed, a rather unfashionable son of Zabeel.

He started only four times in his career with his sole success in a 1600m maiden at Hawkes Bay that saw him retire with career earnings of NZ$3125. Zed is a full brother to Zabene who won the G3 Metropolitan Trophy and Dunedin Gold Cup. Their dam is the Danehill mare, Emerald Dream who won seven races including the G1 Waikato International Stakes over 2000m. She was a three quarter sister to Special Bond by Fairy King who had won the Listed All Star Stakes in WA. Their dam was Theme Song by Sackford who also produced the star galloper and later quality stallion in Danewin who won 11 stakes races and left 25 individual stakes winners and Commands who won only two stakes races but produced 75 stakes winners in a remarkable career at stud. Their dam was the legendary broodmare Eight Carat who produced five stakes winners including the immortal Octagonal who rather significantly was instrumental in the success of Zabeel at stud.

TURF MONTHLY 4

V

erry Elleegant’s dam is Opulence, a daughter of the NZ stallion Danroad, who had won two races over 2000 and 2100m. Her dam was Mulan Magic, a winning daughter of the underrated stallion King’s Theatre who shuttled from Ireland to Glenlogan Park in Queensland. In turn, Mulan Magic was a daughter of Chalet Girl

by Imposing who herself was a half sister to Danewin and Commands making for an interesting pedigree that you will see a little later.

T

he great mare started her career in NZ as a 2yo, running second in a five horse maiden at Te Rapa in July. As a 3yo, she won her first two starts before heading to Australia where she ran third in the G2 Edward Manifold over 1600m behind Amphitrite and Krone. At Caulfield two weeks later, she won the Ethereal over 2000m beating Aristia. She then ran fifth to that filly in the Wakeful and ran home well from towards the tail in the Oaks the following Thursday again behind Aristia.

A spell saw Verry Elleegant change trainers from Darren Weir to Chris Waller, and champion jockey James McDonald was on board for her first start back in the Vanity at Flemington where she ran second behind Amphitrite. Heading to Sydney she won the Phar Lap, Vinery and ATC Oaks to become that State’s heir apparent to the retiring Winx. A spell saw her reappear with a ninth over 1400m behind Samadoubt in the Winx Stakes and a fourth behind Avienus in the George Main.

Verry Elleegant returned to the winner’s list with victory in the G2 Hill Stakes. Her claim to Winx’s crown as our best mare was left shaky when she got well back in the Cox Plate won so impressively by Japanese Lys Gracieux, before finishing twelfth.

A

nother spell saw her return to run fourth over 1400m in the Apollo, this time behind another glamour mare in Alizee. A second in the Chipping Norton behind boom NZ galloper Te Akau Shark was followed by the first great battle the mare had with the Irish invader, Addeybb. In the Ranvet, Verry Elleegant hit the front, but the Irish horse would not let her get away, grinding her down to win narrowly in a stirring finish. She bounced back with a dominant win in the Tancred and then faced her Irish challenger again in the Queen Elizabeth. Again, the Irish horse proved to be too strong but perhaps it was simply a matter of the public underestimating just how good a horse he is. Addeybb proved his quality by returning to the UK to win the renowned G1 Champion Stakes at Ascot.

TURF MONTHLY 5

V

erry Elleegant returned from her Winter break with a win in the Winx Stakes over 1400m. A fourth in the George Main saw her head to Melbourne where she finally won her first Group 1 in that State in the Turnbull Stakes beating Toffee Tongue. It was then to the Caulfield Cup when the Victorians finally saw a performance that showed just why the mare was rated so highly. We will talk about this performance later in our Great Races section. Verry Elleegant then had her first Melbourne Cup attempt in the race won by Twilight Payment. Hers was an outstanding run as she had settled towards the tail of the field and made good ground in the straight.

T

he Autumn saw her run third in the Apollo behind Colette before she turned the tables on that mare in the G1 Chipping Norton. A win over her old rival Adeybb followed in the Ranvet but the gallant Irish horse fought a little too strongly to keep his head in front in their next meeting in the Queen Elizabeth. This Spring she returned for a close second in the Winx behind Mo’unga before again winning the George Main. Melbourne saw a slightly disappointing fourth in the Turnbull behind Incentivise, and she again got a little too far back in the Cox Plate where she finished a strong third behind State Of Rest and Anamoe. The Melbourne Cup saw Incentivise all the rage. The rest of course is history and as an indication just how important the result was, the mare became the first horse since Dunaden to win a Caulfield and Melbourne Cup. Not even the great Winx and Makybe Diva who are no doubt the current benchmarks for modern middle distance and staying mares had that double on their resume. Verry Elleegant’s record now stands at 15 wins from 34 starts and a total of $14,290,744. In any book, this makes the mare among the best we have seen, and we need to make sure that the 2021 Melbourne Cup is duly recorded its important place in history.

watch video in text mode

TURF MONTHLY 6

The pedigree is quite heavily inbred at 16.02%. It appears dominated on face value by the 3x3 cross of Danehill which is sex-balanced.

While it is important, what is more critical is the context in which this duplication appears. In the pedigree of Zed we see that his dam is Emerald Dream by Danehill out of a daughter of Cotehele House. The dam of Verry Elleegant is Opulence, a granddaughter of Danehill out of a granddaughter of Cotehele House. That mare we know had two remarkable sons by Danehill in Commands and Danewin. What this does is reinforces ideally the prospect of breeding a horse genetically similar to those remarkable stallions. To further emphasize this type of strategy, Zed is a son of Zabeel and we see that the multiple lines of Eight Carat help reinforce the genetic compatibility of those lines that we saw had success in a stallion like Octagonal. It is not the pedigree for everyone, and more of a high risk pattern, but as we see here if can be very powerful when it works.

CARBINE ONE OF A KIND

W

e have looked at a lot of champions who made their name in the Melbourne Spring over the last couple of months. Some have been that rare type that has been able to win the Victoria Derby and the Melbourne Cup, two of the jewels in the Victorian racing Spring carnival. Others, sometimes for reasons not of their own making, fell just short in the Derby but went on to become outstanding gallopers. Some were champions. And then there is Carbine. We have been spoiled by wonderful horses, and greats like Winx, Makybe Diva and Black Caviar have earned their remarkable places in history. But in Australian folklore, two horses stand head and shoulders above all others. One of course is Phar Lap, about who so much has been written that we have never chosen to tell his story. The other was the horse that started it all. Carbine.

C

arbine was foaled in NZ in 1885, a son of the famed stallion, Musket who was three times to lead the Australian champion sires list, a remarkable effort for the time considering he stood across the ditch. He was notably the sire of another great hero of the turf and breeding shed, Trenton, leading sire Nordenfeldt, Martini-Henry, winner of the VRC Derby, St Leger and Melbourne Cup and later sire, and Maxim, a good sire in New Zealand, Australia, and later California. His story was not what we usually associate with a champion stallion. Musket had been a good racehorse in England, racing for four seasons before retiring to the Bonehill paddocks, in Staffordshire, in 1873 to begin stud life. His fee was 40 guineas but in his first season he sired only seven foals. The following year Musket was credited with 14 foals. In

TURF MONTHLY 8

his third season the Grahams of Yardley sent 10 mares to Musket, and that year he sired 25 foals. Musket served six seasons in England, and was credited with 66 foals, but there were only 20 winners among them. At the end of 1878, Thomas Russell was in England searching for a stallion for the Waikato Agricultural Company in New Zealand with a view to breeding coaching, harness, and utility horses. Russell decided that Musket was of the right type, and was impressed with his size and substance, and his excellent racing record. Musket had been inherited from the Earl of Glasgow, whose will stipulated that the horse could not be sold, so Mr Payne of Bonehill overcame the difficulty by leasing Musket for 99 years for £500. Musket was landed in Melbourne where William C Yuille and Co tried to sell him for 700 guineas but could not find a buyer. Musket went on to NZ on board the steamer Hero in the winter of 1879. He took up duty at Sylvia Park, Auckland, which was owned the New Zealand Stud Company, and there he remained until his death in October 1885, the year that Carbine was foaled. As Musket did not meet with early success in England he was neglected by NZ breeders, and remarkably sired only 20 foals in his last three seasons. In all, Musket only stood for six seasons yet sired 28 stakes winners.

C

arbine was out of the imported mare Mersey by Knowsley, a son of Stockwell.

In turn, she was out of Clemence by Newminster out of the wonderful mare, Eulogy. Eulogy had produced three stakes winners in Imperatrice who won the GB Park Hill Stakes, Imperieuse winner of the One Thousand Guineas and St Leger Stakes, and Martyrdom who won the GB Prince of Wales's Stakes. As a yearling, the colt was offered on January 4, 1887, where he was sold to Mr Dan O'Brien for 620 guineas. The highest price at the sale was paid for Martini-Henry's full sister, Forest Queen, by TS Chernside, of Werribee, Victoria. Musket’s popularity in the sales ring was confirmed when we consider that Mr Chernside also purchased the Musket filly out of Onyx who was to be named Beryl for 1040 guineas. Another champion son of Musket went through the same sale in Manton who was out of Tres Deuce and made only 445 guineas while another Musket colt out of Locket who was later to race under the name of Chiau Shot made 700 guineas. Yet another Musket stakes

TURF MONTHLY 9

winner in Precedence out of Maid Of Honour was to make only 175 guineas at the same sale. Perhaps the hard luck story of the day was that of the Hon. William Pearson who sent his representative to the sale in order to purchase the Musket colt out of Mersey. For some reason, the looks of the colt failed to impress, and he instead purchased a Musket colt out of Leila for 510 guineas who was to race as Whitworth without success.

C

arbine first faced the starter as a 2yo in the Hopeful Stakes at the Tattersall’s Club meeting at Christchurch on 10 December 1887. Over the 1000m, he beat Ravenswing, Rainbow and two others. On New Years Day 1888, he again defeated the filly, Ravenswing who was to later go on to win the Autumn Stakes the following year and also to become a good broodmare, this time in a field of nine in the Middle Park Stakes over 1200m. Seven weeks later he beat Manton in the Champagne Stakes over the same distance at Dunedin. Carbine then went to the Canterbury meeting in April winning the Champagne Stakes and Challenge Stakes on consecutive days over 1200m, both times beating Sommeil who had won the Canterbury Welcome Stakes over 800m the year before. A well-earned rest ensued as the colt was readied for his three year old season, and to say farewell to his country of birth.

T

he unbeaten 2yo arrived in Sydney in preparation for his first start as a 3yo in the Victorian Derby. The boom colt fell while being unloaded from the ship, and O’Brien was concerned that he had suffered a lasting injury and took it upon himself to thoroughly inspect Carbine. Finally, he was satisfied that Carbine had recovered from his accident, and the colt hit the track. Local onlookers were far from impressed with his early efforts to acclimatise. He was described as not being a taking horse to the eye, and one who was lazy in his work. Still, the early odds of 8 to 1 in the Derby were quickly taken and he arrived in Melbourne under close scrutiny. Unlike the people from Sydney, track watchers at Caulfield where Carbine was stabled had a much more favourable impression. His gallops were outstanding, and he was considered a moral for the blue riband and was backed into the 7/4 favourite. We will let the Melbourne Leader newspaper of 10 November 1888 take up the story:

T

he bird cage was crowded by people anxious to get a peep at the Derby candidates, and especially Carbine, who held a great levee. As the process of making the crack's toilet proceeded men jostled and pushed to get a glimpse of the colt that had for weeks past been declared a certain winner by most of those best able to judge. Seldom has

Carbine winning the Melbourne Cup TURF MONTHLY 10

a Derby favourite created greater public interest. His feed has been imported from New Zealand, so that a chance should not be thrown away by change of diet, the work has been done at grey dawn of day, and his owner has been under the delusion that strangers had no right to look at him closely even on a public recreation ground, but that misapprehension has been dispelled. Carbine is certainly not a beauty, but is beyond doubt a good colt, and was as fit as hands could make him despite the opinion of wiseacres who declared that he had not done enough work. The handsomest of the lot was Pearl Shell, and there were not a few who hoped that O'Brien would pull off the double as the beautiful daughter of Musket walked round the paddock.

The friends of Melos maintained their confidence till the last, and when Hales was seen on the angular looking Ensign it was known that Volley could have no chance.

Aldivalloch, the South Australian representative, is a fine colt, but was not half fit.

Never in the history of racing at Flemington has the result of an important race been so completely due to horsemanship as was this Derby of 1888. Hales (not Ensign) won it by cool, artistic judgment; Derritt (not Carbine) lost it by erratic and unskilful horsemanship. What induced him, after going half-a-mile, to dash from the rear to the front as though finishing the race, it is impossible to imagine. The erratic movement was in itself enough to lose the race, but so superior was Carbine to the others, that when Wycombe, who had made all the running, retired in the straight, the favourite looked a certain winner until Hales called upon the carefully nursed Ensign for one run at the half distance, and the running in the earlier part of the race told its tale.

Amidst a scene of the wildest enthusiasm the artist scored a well-deserved victory, and landed Ensign a long head in front of a colt that certainly ought to have won. It was hard lines for Carbine's owner, after sacrificing a number of important engagements in New Zealand, to see "a real good thing" thrown away, and the result simply shows that the best of jockeys, like other folks, are liable to error, for in New Zealand, Derritt is a recognised champion in the saddle. At the finish there were only the two in it,

TURF MONTHLY 11

Melos finishing a bad third, a head in front of Pearl Shell. Mr White's victories are always popular, as they deserve to be, and even men who had lost their money on Carbine cheered the blue and white colours heartily, and positively roared applause at Hales, who throughout his brilliant career has never accomplished a more pronounced triumph. Tom Payten was a proud man as he led the winner away from the weighing yard to the terrace in front of the Governor's box to be decorated by Lady Loch with the blue ribbon of Victoria. Ensign is by the celebrated sire Grandmaster from Formos and is by no means a taking horse in appearance, and not being a good looking one has probably been underrated. Considering the pace that Wycombe appeared to make, the time was astonishingly slow, and it cannot be denied that the field was very much below first class form, consisting of a lot that would not have been able to live a furlong besides animals like Trident, Nordenfeldt, Abercorn, The Australian Peer, and horses of that stamp.

T

he VRC Derby was Carbine’s first run past 1200m, and five days later the colt backed up in the Flying Stakes over 1400m with a comfortable win over Pippo. Two days later Carbine stamped his quality with another effortless victory in the 2000m Foal Stakes beating Wycombe. Interestingly Carbine never again had the opportunity to race Ensign who tragically broke a fetlock only a few days after the Derby while running in the Melbourne Cup. Perhaps what is even more remarkable is that Dan O’Brien then chose to put his champion up for sale where he was purchased by Mr Donald S Wallace for 3000 guineas. Carbine, in the magpie jacket and red cap of his new owner, and now trained by famed trainer, Walter Hickenbotham, was unsuccessful in his first two appearances. He ran third to Sedition and Lochiel in the VRC Newmarket Handicap on 2 March and played second fiddle to Lochiel in the Australian Cup three days later. Following the sale of

TURF MONTHLY 12

Carbine, he was ridden by Mick O’Brien who had ridden Menton to win the 1888 Melbourne Cup. The jockey O’Brien formed a close association with the horse and rode him through until 1890 at which time O’Brien was struck down with illness, dying tragically young at the age of only 34. Only two days after his Australian Cup second, Carbine won his first race for Don Wallace with success in the prestigious Champions Stakes beating Abercorn comfortably over the 4800m. At the end of the Flemington carnival on 9 March he won the All-Aged Stakes over 1600m beating Sinecure before lining up later that day to win the Loch Plate over 3200m beating Lochiel. In the space of a week Carbine had five starts over distances ranging from 1200-4800m for three wins, a second and a third. There was no doubt by know that Carbine was the best horse in Australasia. Carbine then headed north for the Randwick carnival which was held over a five day period from 22-27 April 1889.

He started by running second to Melos over the 2400m of the Autumn Stakes but that was to be his last defeat in the carnival. Carbine turned the tables on Melos two days later in the 3200m Sydney Cup, a race in which he carried a remarkable 5.5kg over wfa. The following day Carbine won both the All-Aged Stakes over 1600m and the Cumberland Stakes over 3200m. His win in the Cumberland was one of the most remarkable in that Carbine almost fell in the race, yet recovered to haul in the leader, Lochiel, on the post. Two days later he rounded off not only the carnival, but a rather remarkable 3yo season by easily beating Abercorn over the 4800m of the AJC Plate.

C

arbine returned as a 4yo but his campaign hit a hurdle as connections fought a cracked heel in the horse. Surprisingly, this issue was noted when he was sold to Wallace, but up until now had been manageable. The affliction was to persist for the rest of his career. Carbine ran second to Dreadnought in the Caulfield Stakes in his first 4yo start over 1800m on 12 October 1889. He then ran third to Abercorn on the first day of the Flemington carnival over the 2000m of the Melbourne Stakes.

Carbine then started in the 1889 Melbourne Cup carrying the big weight of 63.5kg.

Second top weight was carried by the unlucky Melos who had 56kg. With his hoof held together with wax-end, Carbine settled toward the rear as was his normal pattern. Melos had been a hot favourite for the race but drifted markedly in the betting in days when some questionable practices were commonplace. Melos was checked on at least six occasions during the race with an allegation that certain jockeys had gone out with the intention of ensuring the favourite could not win.

Carbine hit the front early in the straight, but the light weight carried by eventual winner Bravo told in the end with Carbine finishing a creditable second, with the desperately unlucky Melos in third. Two days later Carbine won the Flying over 1400m this time turning the tables on Dreadnought, but this was followed another two days hence with Carbine’s only unplaced run in his career. He finished last in a field of four in the Canterbury Plate over 3600m won by Abercorn. Carbine returned with blood flowing freely from his split hoof and it was clear that the champion had a serious injury. He was given a good spell and returned to some of the best form of his career.

C

arbine had his first start for the Autumn on 1 March at the Flemington carnival.

He won the Essendon Stakes over 2100m beating Singapore before running third to Melos in the Champion Stakes over 4800m five days later. On 8 March, he won the All-Aged Stakes and Loch Plate as he did the year before. It was then again to Sydney for the Randwick carnival where he won five races in the space of seven

TURF MONTHLY 13

days in the Autumn Stakes, Sydney Cup, All-Aged Stakes, Cumberland Stakes and AJC Plate. It was then again off to the paddock before returning for his 5yo season that was to be his greatest.

A

s a 5yo, Carbine was almost unbeatable. He started 11 times and was beaten only once, an unlucky second to Marvel in the All-Aged Stakes in Sydney.

Carbine returned with a new jockey, with Bob Ramage replacing Mick O’Brien who had retired due to illness. Carbine started by winning the Spring Stakes and Craven Plate at Randwick in September before returning to Melbourne to win the Melbourne Stakes, Melbourne Cup, Champion Stakes and All-Aged Stakes. Carbine’s Melbourne Cup victory was considered by many not only his finest moment, but also the greatest performance by a horse on an Australian racetrack. Not only did he face the most starters ever in a race at 39, but he carried a weight record of 10 stone 5 pounds or 66kg. He won by two and a half lengths in race record time in perhaps the most popular victory on an Australian race track. We will let the Leader newspaper from Melbourne describe the day:

Leader (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 - 1918, 1935), Saturday 8 November 1890, page 20 THE CUP WINNER.

M

any hearty ovations have in the past awaited popular winners at Flemington, but never in the history of the Australian turf has there been such a demonstration as that which marked Carbine's phenomenal victory. Even before the race started

TURF MONTHLY 14

it was made manifest that the famous son of Musket and Mersey was "the people's favorite," as he was heartily cheered as he emerged from the saddling paddock and walked slowly down to do his preliminary. Carbine was the first to appear on the course, and on his arrival at the post such a rush of admirers took place that the assistance of the police was necessary before the course could be cleared. Long before the No. 1 was hoisted by Mr. Dakin, in fact before the champion had reached the winning post, the spectators burst into wild expressions of delight and admiration, as it could be seen some distance from the post that Carbine would have to fall down to lose. As the clerk of the course escorted him back to the weighing yard, winner of the most valuable handicap race ever run in the world, the scene was one to be remembered. Inside the enclosure his popular owner was receiving the hearty congratulations of his friends, and acknowledging the cheers of the assembled thousands, whilst at the gate next to the judge's box stood Carbine's skilful and trusty trainer, Walter Hickenbotham, waiting to have a look at his favorite as he turned to scale, and to be the first to congratulate Bob Ramage, who had ridden him to victory. Many there were, doubtless, who regretted the enforced absence from the winning saddle of O'Brien, who had steered Carbine so well, so frequently, and so successfully, but it is bare justice to Ramage to say that a better race could not have been ridden by any man who ever crossed a horse. A less level head might have been tempted to cut it a bit finer, but Ramage realised that this was the race of his career, and that the interests at stake were too great to be trifled with, and therefore even when he had everything in the race at his mercy, he wisely continued to keep Carbine at his top, and drove him home with undiminished vigor.

The mighty son of Musket and Mersey has by this culminating triumph established his undeniable right to be considered the greatest horse that has ever been foaled or seen in Australasia, and it is pleasing to reflect that, in addition to being a great performer, Carbine is owned by one of the most honorable and straight going sportsmen of the day, whose Falmouth colors are synonymous with everything that is pure and noble in connection with horse racing. Carbine may be said to be now in his prime, and with ordinary luck he can be relied on to add to the splendid performances enumerated

TURF MONTHLY 15

below. Carbine was bred by the New Zealand Stud Company and bought as a yearling for 620 guineas by Mr. D. O'Brien, in whose colors he never suffered defeat as a 2-yearold. His first reverse was in the VRC Derby, 1888, when he was beaten a head by Ensign, owing to the indifferent riding of the New Zealand jockey, Derrit, who allowed himself to be fairly out-generalled by Hales. At the same meeting he won the All Aged and Foal Stakes, and afterwards became the property of Mr DS Wallace for 3000 guineas, for whom he gained his first victory in the Champion Stakes, after running third in the Newmarket Handicap and second in the Australian Cup. Since the day of that memorable purchase Carbine has won something like £24,000 in stakes alone for his popular owner. By his great triumph in the Melbourne Cup Carbine has broken more than one record in connection with that famous event. He carried 10st 5lb, a weight never previously borne to victory in a Melbourne Cup, and beat the best time previously recorded for that race by a quarter of a second, whilst it is also worthy of remark that the number of starters for the Cup (39) had never been equalled in any previous year. Indeed the more this last great run of Carbine's is considered in detail the more phenomenal does it appear.

A

fter his victory in the Melbourne Cup, Carbine’s injury again flared badly. Few of the time knew that the stallion did not leave his stall for a week following the race. Another spell ensued and he returned for the Essendon Stakes over 2100m at Flemington on 28 February 1891. The Essendon Stakes was remarkable in that bookmakers, for the first time, refused to take a wager on Carbine, preferring to bet

TURF MONTHLY 16

"Five to one bar one" on the rest of the field. He then won the Champion Stakes before his final Melbourne success in the All-Aged Stakes for the third year in succession.

Within a week Carbine was in Sydney suffering his only defeat that season in the 1600m All-Aged Stakes behind Marvel. He did not have to wait for long to get his revenge, beating that horse in the 3200m Cumberland Stakes later that afternoon.

Two days later Carbine had his final start, fittingly winning the AJC Plate for the third consecutive time in easy fashion at the unbackable odds of 10/1 on. After a spell, Carbine returned to work but went amiss with the champion showing swelling in the leg that had caused all of the problems with his hoof. The swelling would go down with rest but reappear as soon as the champion galloped. He was officially retired in October 1891 with 33 wins from 43 starts and prizemoney of £29,626. It was an Australasian record that stood for over 30 years until beaten by Eurythmic in 1922. This remains the longest any horse in Australia has held the title.

B

efore we get to the stud career of the remarkable Carbine, there are a couple of observations that need to be made. Carbine was known to most simply as “Old Jack,” an endearing term that made the crowds connect with their champion even more. His behaviour also warrants mention. Old Jack would simply refuse to proceed to the start of a race until it suited him. As reported in newspapers of the time:

C

arbine was undoubtedly a brainy horse. He was no funker, but he seemed to dislike having to go the wrong way along the course before doing his preliminary under colors. Often I have seen his trainer urging him by shaking an umbrella behind the horse when he refused to respond to the thumps of his jockey's heels. Of course he raced left-handed at Flemington and right-handed at Randwick; and yet this equine paused many times ere he was coaxed along the wrong way up the straight to commence his preliminary. He was a good tempered equine and never knocked himself about any.

Always he seemed to carry a lot of flesh, and yet he was a great stayer, and a brilliant galloper over half-a-mile. Therefore he was a true racehorse — good over any distance.

T

he later champion Gunsynd was to have a similar trait, and many suggested that the horse simply refused to move until he felt he had received due accolade from the adoring public. What is most remarkable is that Carbine appears quite prominently in the pedigree of Gunsynd so perhaps it was a trait he inherited from Old Jack. An interesting point was made many years later when trying to compare Carbine and Phar Lap. One measure was their respective handicaps in the Melbourne Cup. Both raced in the Cup as 4yo’s, with Carbine running second in 1889 carrying 10 stone (63.5kg). In comparison, Phar Lap won the 1930 Cup as a 4yo carrying 9 stone 12 pounds (62.5kg). On face value it would appear that Carbine was more highly rated by the handicapper, but we need to remember that geldings were given a 3lb (1.5kg) allowance meaning that Phar Lap would get the nod by one pound (0.5kg). We have long moved on from the allowance for geldings, but another interesting comparison is their weights in the same race as a 5yo. Carbine created a weight carrying record by lumping 10.5 (66kg) to victory.

In contrast, Phar Lap carried 10.1 (64kg) but could only manage a disappointing eighth, anchored by the big weight. Allowing for the 3lb allowance, it puts Carbine a pound ahead as a 5yo notwithstanding the fact that his was a dominant win. In the GREATEST CUP NEVER RUN, an idea in 2010 to recreate a race between the top 24 winners of the Cup, the VRC Handicapper, Greg Carpenter assigned Phar Lap 60kg and Carbine 59kg. Even though it was voted that Phar Lap narrowly beat Carbine, history would suggest that at their best, Phar Lap would not have been able to overcome the weight difference which dramatically favoured Carbine. Finally, to end this section on the immortal Carbine, what better way than to hear some comments from Walter Hickenbotham, the Hall Of Fame trainer: TURF MONTHLY 17

H

e was one of the quietest horses I ever looked at, but he was very sensitive and wonderfully intelligent. If a man gave Carbine a clout in his box the old fellow would repay the injury if he had to wait for days, and he never made a mistake as to his man. I think the success of Carbine was due to his perfect action. Never was a horse born with better action.

AN ODE TO CARBINE

by an unidentified author after his Melbourne Cup win

The great event is o'er, The grandest horse 'ere trod a course, Has led them home once more.

I watched with pride his sweeping stride, Before they ranged in line, As far and near a ringing cheer, Was echoed for Carbine.

The start was made, no time delayed, Before they got away, The horses great, some thirty eight Were eager for the fray.

No better start could human heart The sportsman ever show, As Watson did, each jockey bid: "Get ready! Forward! Go! With lightning speed each gallant steed, Along the green sward tore, Each rider knew what he must do To finish in the four.

But Ramage knew his mount was true, Although he'd 10—5 up, For Musket's son had great deeds done, Before his Melbourne Cup. No whip or spur he used to stir TURF MONTHLY 18

The horse to greater speed, He knew as well as man could tell, When he should take the lead So on he glides with even strides Although he's led by nine, His rider knows, before the close He'll try them with Carbine.

The bend is passed, the straight at last, He's taken to the fore, The urging crowd with voices loud, The brave steed's name now roar.

The jockey too, now full well knew The race was nearly o'er, Soon his mane he slack'ed the rein, No need to urge him more, Brave horse! Grand man! That led that van On that November day; Your records will live in history still When you have passed away.

For such a race for weight and pace We'll no more see put up, As what was done by Musket's son.

In the 1890 Cup.

Carbine at 17.58% is another highly inbred pedigree. The most notable factor in the pedigree is a duplication of a mare called Brown Bess. She was the granddam of the great Musket who interestingly sees his tail male line trace to a stallion called Touchstone, a son of Camel, as was Brown Bess. If we look at the dam of Carbine, we see that she is by a relatively obscure stallion called Knowsley who was a son of Stockwell. His dam though was the Orlando Mare who was a daughter of Brown Bess also from a Touchstone line stallion. What is even more interesting is that we see Carbine’s second dam Clemence being by Newminster by Touchstone. The third dam, Eulogy sees the presence of Orville, Whisker, Gibside Fairy, Catton and Filho Da Puta who all appear in the pedigree of Musket.

DAN O’BRIEN

CARBINE’S FIRST OWNER

Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Monday 9 October 1911, page 2 NOTED HORSE OWNER MR DAN O'BRIEN. WHY HE SOLD CARBINE.

T

he name of Dan O'Brien is not likely to ever die out of Australian turf history.

He it was who picked out and purchased Carbine as a yearling, swept the board with him in New Zealand as a two-year-old, and, after failing by one of the greatest flukes ever heard of in connection with horse racing to win the Victoria Derby, sold the famous son of Musket and Mersey for 3000 guineas. Before his retirement to the stud Carbine won £29,476 in stakes, but out of this only about £1300 went to the man who discovered and educated him. Yet O'Brien is of such a philosophical and happy nature that he does not entertain the slightest regret over having parted with such an equine gold mine. The price O'Brien had put on the colt was paid, and he is pleased that the other man should have done well out of the bargain.

E TURF MONTHLY 20

ARLY HISTORY: Born in Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, on January 16, 1847, in a dwelling (since demolished) between Elizabeth Street and Queen Street, about in a line with the spot where Kirk's Bazaar still stands, Dan O'Brien is, for his 64 years, one of the healthiest looking men who regularly attend the Randwick tracks

of a morning to see their horses work. Racing is to him not only a business, but a means of pleasure and recreation, and Dan takes as much interest in "clocking" the gallop of a crack performer as he does in the doings of his own horses. It can be said of Australia's best trainers that they are men of good taste, and devoid of ostentation.

O'Brien is one of the best-groomed men in Sydney, and does not answer in any respect, to the mistaken conception of a "horsey" man. Dan O'Brien was left an orphan early in life. When six years of age his mother died, and four years later his father - an overland cattle drover - passed away. Dan has two sisters, but no brothers.

He was adopted by an uncle, Mr David Gorman, who lived at the head of the Merri Creek, near Beveridge, where the notorious Kelly boys, who turned bushrangers, were brought up. O'Brien often saw the Kelly lads in the district, though he never formed their acquaintance.

R

IDING EXPERIENCE: Mr Gorman was a breeder of horses, and in 1861 or 1862 he owned a horse called Warrior by Indian Warrior, on whom young Dan won his first race at Whittlesea. The horse was successful in other events - the stakes in most cases being a saddle and bridle - at Donnybrook and Kilmore, and Mr Gorman was advised to send him to Melbourne. Accordingly, Warrior and young Dan went to the city in charge of Jim Kelly, better known as "Donovan Brown" Kelly, who was a gentleman by birth, and had ridden in Ireland and France. Dan was afterwards associated with Bill Tracy, a farrier, who had Gwendoline (dam of Diver).

J

OINS THE FISHER STABLE: Through the services of Bill Tracy, O’Brien gained a position in the racing stable of the Messrs Fisher in the year 1861 and remained there until '67. In 1865 he rode Fishermans Daughter in the first AJC Derby, won

by Clove. Through the departure of Mr Hurtle Fisher for England, the stable came under the auctioneer's hammer, but Mr CB Fisher bought the best of the horses and continued racing. Ridden by O'Brien, Fishhook won a couple of two-year-old races (one of them the Champagne Stakes) at Randwick but was beaten in the Nursery Handicap by The Barb, to whom he had to concede a stone. Fishhook, as a threeyear-old, captured the Sydney Cup, and The Barb won it in the two succeeding years.

Mr CB Fisher removed his training establishment to Mr Andrew Towns' place at Richmond, New South Wales. The trainer, Filgate (father of Mr WA Filgate), and O'Brien, were greatly hurt in their feelings by Joe Morrison being sent over from Melbourne to ride and assist in training the horses. At the AJC Spring meeting Morrison was given the mount on Fishhook, and O'Brien was asked to ride another horse out of the stable, but declined, and it was some satisfaction to him when Fishhook suffered defeat in the hands of his new pilot.

M

OVES TO NEW ZEALAND: When employed in the Fisher stable O'Brien only received a wage of 10/ a week apart from his earnings as a rider. Being discontented with the service he naturally jumped at an offer to go to New Zealand and train a horse named Stormbird. The terms were a six months' engagement at 30/ a week, return passage on the steamer, £3 for a losing mount; 10 per cent of winnings, and a £5 bonus. Dan remained in New Zealand from 1867 until May 1869. He returned to that country in January 1870, and then started training on his own account. As trainer and owner O’Brien achieved much success in New Zealand.

With Tambourine he won the CJC Handicap (now called the New Zealand Cup), the Canterbury Cup, and Wellington Cup. Tambourine was successful in no less than 30 races out of 57 starts. Two good jumpers that O'Brien owned were Sir Tatton and Pakeha. He captured the Dunedin Cup, of 1877, with Fishhook, a horse he named after his old favorite, as there was somewhat of a resemblance between them.

The New Zealand Fishhook was bred by the late Mr John Balance who, though a politician took a keen interest in the turf. When the name of the CJC Handicap was changed to the New Zealand Cup in 1883, O'Brien won it with Tasma, sire TURF MONTHLY 21

of Florrie, who carried the same owner’s colours to victory in the New Zealand Champagne Stakes, Derby and Oaks. O’Brien afterwards sold Florrie to Mr Walter Hull, of Sydney; and she won a Birthday Cup at Randwick. Another good horse O'Brien bred was Loyalty, who beat Stepniak in weight for age events. In Sydney he bought Bob Ray for the song price of 35 guineas. As a two-year-old Bob Ray beat Wallace in the AJC Champagne Stakes, and inflicted defeat on Challenger in another event. Next season he was successful in the AJC Derby, but on the same night broke his knee in the box.

T

HE MUSKET BLOOD: He first discovered the real value of the Musket blood through Trenton, whom he purchased from the late Mr CG Steed as a twoyear-old for 825 guineas. Dan specially prepared Trenton for the Melbourne Cup of 1835 and secured the nice wager of £10,000 to £100 before shipping him from New Zealand. Trenton won three weight-for-age races, but only finished third in the Cup, though O'Brien says he ought to have won. The jockey, Alec Robertson, was in trouble throughout the race, and eventually lost his whip. Yet, if the winning post had been six yards further, he would have won by half a length. After the race "Ike" Fouisham said to Robertson. "Did you drop your whip, Alec?" The jockey's reply was, "I dropped my blooming head." Trenton was the first of Musket's progeny that Dan had owned, and after the Melbourne Cup Meeting, he journeyed to Auckland to see if he could pick up a good yearling by that sire. The colt by Musket from Mersey fell to his bid at 650 guineas. It is unnecessary to add that the youngster was afterwards named Carbine,

C

ARBINE'S INFANCY: O'Brien says that Carbine, from the first moment he was handled, proved a kind horse and a good "doer." He never made his debut until late in the season—at Christchurch in January. This was the Hopeful Stakes, a five furlong event, worth only £85 to the winner. O'Brien had other business to attend to and could not be present at the meeting. Beyond receiving word that Carbine had won, he knew nothing of the circumstances of the race. Just afterwards, Mason, the trainer for the late Mr GG Stead, came up, and said, "I have had a wire from the boss, asking that you should put a price on that two year old colt." O'Brien replied that the colt was not for sale.

M

ason was insistent, and said, "Put any price you like. Ask a thousand. The boss is going to Melbourne, and he is anxious to make up a team." The owner of Carbine, however, refused to entertain the thought of a sale. Subsequently he met a friend, Mr EW Roper, who had attended the race at Christchurch. Mr Roper remarked that Carbine was a wonderful colt. O’Brien somewhat testily replied, "I don't see anything in that performance to make him a wonder. I felt sure he would win." Mr. Roper observed, "It appears to me that you know nothing about it. The colt was left 60 yards behind at the start. I had my 'fiver' on him and thought what a shame it was. About the distance Carbine was coming so fast that people began to say what a good thing it would have been for him had he got decently away. They did not think he had any hope of making up go much ground, yet in the end he simply-walked in." After this revelation, O'Brien understood the eagerness of Mr Stead to buy Carbine.

T

HE DERBY DEFEAT: Carbine had such a brilliant two-year-old career that when entered for the Melbourne Cup next season he was awarded 7.10. at that time an unheard of weight for a three-year-old. O'Brien promptly scratched him, though if he had known as much as he did afterwards, he would have allowed the colt to fulfil his engagement. The way Dan argued it out was that if Trenton could win

TURF MONTHLY 22

weight-for-age races and yet fail with 7.13 as a four-year-old, Carbine would have no chance at three years with 7.10. As to the manner in which Carbine came to be beaten by Ensign in the Victoria Derby there have been various accounts published from time to time. O'Brien considers that Bob Derritt was a fine horseman and found no difficulty in forgiving him the one mistake of a jockey who won him no end of races. The story of that Derby is told by O'Brien as follows "On the day of the race, Jack Mayo came up to me and said, 'You had better speak to your boy.

There are two horses in the race running in the same interest. You remember what happened at Randwick when Wycombe was sent out to make the pace for Melos, got a break and won. Tell your boy not to let anything get away on him.' I called Derritt up, and he asked whether he should go to the front. I replied, 'No. Ride him as if you were riding work, and never be further than a distance I indicated (about four lengths) from the leader.' It is no use telling a jockey to be first, second, or third, as that in no guide if the field gets strung out. I told Derritt to be up near his horses.

The first quarter of a mile was run at a very slow pace. Carbine was last then, yet at the abattoirs, five furlongs from home, he was in front. Carbine and the mare on whom Mick O'Brien won the Oaks, Pearlshell, came right away from the others at that point. In the straight Mick stopped riding the mare, and Mr CO Murray, who was standing alongside of me, remarked, ‘lt is all over.' My reply was, 'He rode a hell of a bad race.' Derritt looked round when Pearlshell was beaten and let one of his reins drop. This caused Carbine to slow down, and Tom Hales seized the opportunity to make his run on Ensign. When Derritt caught hold of his rein again he struck backwards with his whip, and Carbine turned his head half round. On returning to scale Derritt asked me whether I thought he was caught napping, and I replied, 'No. You were not caught napping.' The jockey had double reins and should have ridden the colt out without fumbling for the one he had lost. Under other circumstances Carbine could have won by 60 yards. Derritt was a good horseman, but they all make mistakes. I never know one that did not. Even Tom Hales once fell off The Admiral in a race."

T

HE SALE OF CARBINE: O'Brien, as previously remarked, has no regrets over selling Carbine. He says that at the time there was only one weight-for-age event in New Zealand — the Canterbury Cup. All the other raced were handicaps, in which Carbine would be “murdered.” Having seven or eight other horses to look after in New Zealand, O'Brien could not remain on this side, and he determined to let Carbine go if he could get 3000 guineas for him, which amount was forthcoming.

Other horses which O'Brien sold at high figures were: Gattling, for 2000 gns, to Mr Gannon; Dunkeld, for 1500 gns to Messrs Greenaway and Sayers; Trenton, for 2500 gns to Mr V. C. Cooper; and Loyalty, for 1200 gns. In recent years O'Brien has shown that his hand as a trainer has not lost its cunning, by winning the Caulfield Cup with Maranui and the Gimcrack Stakes with Respect.

TURF MONTHLY 23

DONALD WALLACE CARBINE’S SECOND OWNER

Wallace, Donald Smith (1844–1900)

by Alan W. Black

H

e inherited his father's pre-emptive rights to the Ballark estate in 1882; he also bought Terrick This article was published in the Australian Dictionary of Terrick, a 535,000-acre (216,509 ha) station in Biography, Volume 6 , 1976 online in 2006 Queensland, and Mewburn Park, Gippsland, Victoria.

In 1883-88 Wallace represented Clermont in the onald Smith Wallace (1844-1900), pastoralist, Queensland Legislative Assembly, but spent much racehorse owner and parliamentarian, was time out of the colony, leaving his brother-in-law R. G. born at Ballark station near Morrisons, Victoria, on Casey as managing partner of his four properties; they 10 August 1844, eldest son of John Wallace, squatter, covered 1,387,000 acres (561,305 ha), were valued at and his wife Elizabeth, née Smith. He was educated £412,000 and mortgaged for £350,000. at Charles Goslett's Academy in Melbourne. After pastoral experience at Alexander Wilson's property, allace raced several horses. Calma won the Vectis, he went to Queensland about 1870 to a series Caulfield Cup for him in 1883 and Mentor the of sheep station partnerships, including large ventures Melbourne Cup in 1888. His most famous horse, the with (Sir) Samuel Wilson. He returned to Victoria in great Carbine, won thirty-three races out of forty-three 1878, and in 1880 failed to win the seat of Grant in the starts, including the Sydney Cup in 1889 and both the Victorian Legislative Assembly. Next year he headed Sydney and Melbourne cups in 1890. He is reported a syndicate that sought to establish an agricultural to have said to Lady Hopetoun at a dinner: 'I love you college on crown land at Dookie, and in December because you love old Carbine'. His pastoral enterprises an authorizing bill was introduced. David Syme did were less successful. Bad seasons, together with falling not doubt Wallace's integrity, but questioned the site wool prices, made it difficult for him to meet capital and doubted the wisdom of the proposed terms and repayments and interest charges; by 1890 the debt on conditions; the bill was discharged. his Queensland stations had reached £650,000. The

D

W

partnership with Casey was dissolved in 1893 and the properties realized little more than their liabilities.

C

asey complained that Wallace disregarded the properties and seldom answered letters. In parliament he was equally casual. He spoke three sentences in four years in the Queensland Legislative Assembly and one in five years in the Victorian Legislative Council, where he represented SouthWestern Province in 1889-94. Described by many as a genial sportsman, Wallace served, with a year's break, on the committee of the Victoria Racing Club in 1881-98 but gradually had to sell most of his property including his stud. At his death at Ballark station on 27 May 1900, he had been a councillor of the Ballan Shire since 1889. A Presbyterian, he had one son John Vivian from his marriage to Ida Australia, daughter of George Thorn.

TURF MONTHLY 24

WALTER HICKENBOTHAM CARBINE’S TRAINER

He was a young man when he was appointed private trainer to Mr CM Lloyd, who owned the Yamma property now occupied by Mr. Stanley O'Keefe. In WALTER HICKENBOTHAM. those days Hickenbotham had through his hands The CARBINE'S TRAINER DEAD. Diver and Swiveller. He won the Launceston Cup with he last time I saw Walter Hickenbotham was in Swiveller in 1879, and the following year Swiveller the saddling paddock at a Caulfield meeting a few won both the Launceston and Hobart Cups. That was months ago. He was then looking a picture of health, really the beginning of the long list of Cup victories and one might have been excused for believing he associated with the name of Hickenbotham. When he was in possession of the secret of perennial youth. He ceased to be private trainer for Mr Lloyd he linked up was at Moonee Valley a few weeks ago when his son with Mr Donald Wallace at Ballarat, and transferred Tim won a race with Ideal Prince, and those who saw to Flemington in the middle eighties. Hickenbotham, him that day little imagined that in a few short weeks like his contemporaries Richard Bradfield and James they would be paying a tribute to his memory. He died Scobie, trained four Melbourne Cup winners, his first somewhat suddenly on Wednesday at his winter home being Mentor, in 1888; Carbine, 1890; Newhaven, at Dromana at the age of 82 years. Walter Hickenbotham 1893; and Blue Spec, 1905. had been for very many years looked upon as one of ickenbotham's name, however, will always be the greatest of Australian trainers, and his record of linked with that of Carbine, whom he first took success was certainly unsurpassed in the history of in hand when Mr. Wallace purchased him shortly after racing in this country. I well remember a discussion his defeat by Ensign in the 1888 Derby at Flemington. one evening during the currency of a Warrnambool No man was in a better position to judge the merits Cup meeting, when the merits of trainers were being of past and present-day champions. Shortly, before his discussed. One member of the party, which included death he maintained that Carbine was the best horse Jimmy Lynch, PT Heywood, and William Kennedy, that raced in Australia during his long association with interjected, "Well, who is the best trainer in Australia the Turf. Walter Hickenbotham was a great trainer, today?" Various men had their champions, but Mr. and no man ever enjoyed a better reputation on or off Kennedy settled the matter by saying "Old Walter." the Turf.

There was no need to add a surname, as everybody knew to whom he was alluding. When asked to give his reasons, Mr Kennedy added, "Well, Walter will probably have a dozen yearlings in his team after the sales in the autumn. When October and the first twoyear-old races come round, they might not be much good, but the whole dozen will be fit to race, and none of them will have been shin sore. That is the greatest test of a trainer and training, and I know of nobody but old Walter who could do that." There was no further argument on the subject. Hickenbotham had a wonderful capacity for taking pains, and nothing was ever left to chance. He was first up in the morning and last to bed at night, and all through the day he was attending to his horses. That was the foundation of his success as a trainer.

Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 21 June 1930, page 17

T

H

H

ickenbotham was born at Bathurst, in New South Wales, and his earliest association with racing was in the stable of John Tait, whose yellow jacket and black cap he afterwards adopted as his own colours.

TURF MONTHLY 25

CARBINE AT STUD

C

arbine was retired in October 1891 with career earnings of £29,626, that remained a record in Australasia for thirty years. Only a few months earlier in July, Wallace had purchased 700 acres of land next to the Broadlands Stud of Albert and Septimus Miller, on the Lerderderg River close to the township of Bacchus Marsh. The area was noted for its dairy farming although the success of the Miller Brothers is reportedly what drew Wallace to the region. He paid £20,000 for the property that was to be named Lederberg Stud. Here he installed Carbine alongside his other Melbourne Cup winner in Mentor.

A

t stud, the horse continued his quirky ways. He disliked getting his head wet, to an extent that a “hat” was devised for him to keep the top of his head and his ears dry during inclement weather, and that hat traveled with him to England, where he also wore it. When at stud in England, he received regular ridden exercise.

The first few minutes consisting of bucking, after which his long-time groom, Jack Cunningham, who came with him from Australia, would slap him on the neck, “Come on, Old Jack, don’t make a fool of yourself any longer,” after which he would walk on a loose rein while Cunningham smoked his pipe

W

TURF MONTHLY 26

allace had earlier bred horses at his Ballark estate where he had stood 1883 Caulfield Cup winner, Calma and the younger brother of Nordenfeldt, Enfilade, although both had little success. The stallions were sold off and Wallace’s best mares sent to his new property. Among these mares were such luminaries as Clare, Marchesa, Ravenswing, Novelette, Forest Queen and Duenna. With his late retirement, Carbine had not been properly prepared for his first season at stud and he was advertised to cover a very limited number of mares at the unheard of fee of 200 guineas. The previous highest fee in Australia was 60 guineas demanded for the imported English stallion St Albans, a son of Blair Athol. In a sporting gesture, Wallace had agreed to accept a mare belonging to William Wilson, the Squire of

6th-Duke-of-Portland

St Albans Stud in return for sending one of his mares to their top stallion Trenton.

From Wallace’s mares Carbine sired only two live foals, from his mares Cartridge and Creel, both of which were rather ordinary in type. In fact, Carbine was noted early on for throwing some poor progeny, many of which had leg issues. In contrast, the mare produced by Carbine out of Wilson’s mare, Melodious by Goldsborough turned out to be one of his best. It was named Wallace as a testament to Carbine’s owner and of course we will deal with that colt separately.

C

arbine’s first few seasons at stud corresponded to a severe economic downturn.

Many wealthy pastoralists who faced bad seasons and falling wool prices were under severe financial pressure. Wallace himself could no longer meet his repayments on his huge pastoral empire which covered large areas of Queensland.

In fact, the year that Carbine won the Cup the debt on Wallace’s Qld properties had totalled £650,000. Lavish bloodstock purchases had become a thing of the past, as had Wallace’s plans for Lederberg. Carbine had just finished covering his

Welbeck Abbey

TURF MONTHLY 27

fourth crop of mares, with the colt Wallace only having just started racing when Wallace resigned his position on the VRC committee in November 1894. He also announced the dispersal of his bloodstock including Carbine that were to be sold by public auction the following March. There was a deal of speculation as to what the mighty Carbine might bring under such economic conditions.

S

uch speculation proved fruitless as Wallace announced, only weeks before the scheduled auction, that Carbine had been sold to His Grace, the sixth Duke of Portland, for the astounding sum of 13,000 guineas. It easily exceeded the previous Australian record of 5600 guineas paid by Samuel Hordern for Nordenfeldt. Carbine was destined to stand at the Duke’s famed Welbeck Abbey, a grand ducal house with stabling befitting the main residence. He was to stand alongside the great St Simon as well as the Duke’s two English Derby winners in Ayrshire and Donovan.

W

allace proceeded with the dispersal of Lederberg which presented an outstanding draft even with the absence of Carbine. Archie Yuille presided over the sale which saw a large crowd swelled by a special train running from Spencer Street Station. Many of the stock were the progeny of Carbine, with many of the mares in foal to that stallion or having foals at foot. Despite the unproven nature of Carbine, the popularity of Old Jack saw the sale gross more than 10,000 guineas with 16 yearlings alone making 3,110.

O

n April 13, 1895, Carbine departed Australia on the Orient Company’s steamship, Orizaba. He was accompanied by a yearling out of Novelette who was later to produce stakes winners in Australia by Haut Brion. Special stabling had been erected on the top deck of the ship and Carbine travelled in the finest comfort.

Many will argue that Carbine was something of a disappointment at stud but his record belies this. His name continues to live on to this day and he was to sire a total of 21 stakes winners across the two countries. His first born son, Wallace, was undoubtedly the most significant progeny under local conditions. In the UK, he sired the remarkable Derby winner, Spearmint, another who will look at in depth.

Others deserving of closer inspection are Amberite and La Carabine. Carbine was discovered by the Duke in 1914, lying in his stall with blood pouring from his nose.

watch video in text mode

TURF MONTHLY 28

Beau Zam - 1987 Spring Champion Stakes

Diagnosed with a cerebral haemorrhage, he was euthanized with chloroform, and "passed quietly away." Portland gave his skeleton to the Melbourne Museum while of three of his hooves were made into an inkstand that was donated to Government House in Wellington, NZ. Carbine’s legacy though cannot be underrated and he appears in almost every modern pedigree.

C

arbine sired 14 stakes winners in Australia. Among these were the AJC Derby winner, Charge, Hotham Handicap winner War God and Perth Cup winners, Flintlock and Carbineer. Two imported sons in Defence who won the Australian Cup among three stakes wins, and Playaway who won the VATC Futurity and VRC Newmarket ensured his name was never far from the lips of the Australian racing public. Much of his local success came through his daughters that proved valuable broodmares over time, and many have continued their success to today.

P

irouette by Carbine was to produce a son called Marazin who won the Ascot Vale Stakes, while a full sister to him was to produce Trice who won 1926 Standish.

This line has continued on to produce a wonderful WA galloper of the 1990’s in So Dashing by Haulpak. He won six stakes races in his home state including the WA Guineas, Challenge Quality and Australia Day Stakes. So Dashing went to stud where he produced So Canny to win the 2002 Towton Cup.

G

rafin was another locally bred daughter of Carbine to go on to produce a stakes winner in Maranui by Malatua who won the 1908 Caulfield Cup. This family continued to have success producing the very good Weasel Clause son in Wexford who won the 1997 VRC St Leger. Another from this line to taste success was the mare, Dark Elegance by the Argentinian stallion El Cacique who won the AJC Kirkham and December Stakes in 1939. She was to go on to produce Persian Prince by Manitoba who won the 1946 AJC Champagne Stakes and the 1948 STC Frederick Clissold Handicap.

T

he last of the locally bred daughters to produce a stakes winning line was Circle.

She produced Blague by Bobadil who won five stakes races including the SAJC Goodwood Handicap, the Caulfield Guineas and the VRC Newmarket. She was to in turn produce two stakes winners in Blauvelt who won the Kalgoorlie Cup and Steel Guitar who won the Adelaide City Handicap. This line was to go on to produce a wonderful colt called Dhaulagiri by High Peak who won eleven stakes races

watch video in text mode

TURF MONTHLY 29

including the 1961 Cox Plate, Alistair Clark, Blamey Stakes and CB Fisher Plate.

He was sold overseas and ended up standing at stud in France where he produced Dhaudevi to win the Grand Prix de Paris.

B

y far it was the daughters born in the UK that saw some of Carbine’s most enduring legacies. Stop Her was one such matron whose descendants include Will O’ The Wisp by Hurry On who won the Newmarket Triennial Produce Stakes, the Yorkshire Oaks and was second in the English Oaks. Another from her line is that wonderful French bred stallion Zamazaan who won the Australian Sires Title in 1987/88 largely on the back of the performances of his best son, the great Beau Zam who won the AJC Spring Champion Stakes and AJC Derby among his nine stakes wins. Among the other top runners produced by Zamazaan were two time Dalgety winner, Chagemar, Caulfield Cup winner and three time Adelaide Cup winner, Lord Reims, and another Caulfield Cup winner in Affinity.

S

t Gunthiern is a lesser known daughter of Carbine whose line produced the good horse Distant Music who won the G1 Goff 's Dewhurst Stakes among other races and went on to become a good sire in the US. Appiani and Coronach, both quality stallions also hail from this line while so too does Soldennis whose son Denis Boy was imported to race in Australia and won the 1931 Caulfield Cup winner. Denis Boy was to go on to be a good sire locally producing Denis Boy, the sire of Malt Denis. Queen Carbine was instrumental in producing a line that gave us Petition

by Fair Trial who won the Champagne and Gimcrack Stakes in the UK as a 2yo and later the Eclipse Stakes in 1948. Petition is important in pedigrees often in Australia through his son Petingo who produced the ill-fated Troy who is best known as the sire of Helen Street who produced the great Street Cry and Helsinki, the dam of Shamardal. Both stallions have had great success in Australia. Street Cry was the sire of two of the greatest mares in history in Winx and Zenyatta, and other champions like Whobegotyou and Stradbroke and Goodwood winner, Trekking.

Shamardal produced VRC Oaks winner, Faint Perfume, SA Oaks winner, Maybe Discreet and Epsom winner, Captain Sonador from his local crops and a host of overseas champions including the good stallion, Puissance De Lune.

watch video in text mode Unequalled.1993 Doomben 10000 TURF MONTHLY 30

M

iss Gunning II is yet another daughter of Carbine who alone would ensure that stallion’s legacy. Her line gives us wonderful stallions like Palestine by Fair Trial, who won eight stakes races, Wild Again by Icecapade who was a top US stallion, Dominion by Derring-do and Abbots Fell by Felstead. Yet another of Carbine’s daughters was Lucky Hit who is responsible for Lanfranco by Relko who won the Futurity in England before going to stud in NZ, and Toll Bell by Tolomeo who won the 1993 VRC Queen’s Cup. Another interesting line traces to Lady Dunboyne who is responsible for the wonderful galloper Tauto by Good Brandy who won ten stakes races including the 1971 Cox Plate, two JJ Listons and two Freeway Stakes and was noted for some fine duels with the legendary Gunsynd.

One more great daughter of Carbine was Fairwind whose family found a deal of success especially in Qld by producing stakes winners like El Mirada and Rainbow Bubbles by El Moxie, Faustina by Claudius and Unequalled and Lloyd’s Boy by Captain Piper.

N

o matter how great these families are, arguably pale against one of the truly remarkable families in Australian bloodstock history. A mare called Dum Dum

by Carbine had a daughter called Teppo by Ladas who came to Australia to become a sensation by producing a remarkable seven stakes winners in Deneb (VRC Ascot Vale Stakes) Elkin (AJC The Shorts), Isa (VRC Sires' Produce Stakes and Ascot Vale Stakes, Three (Fulham Park Plate), Thrice (VRC Sires' Produce Stakes, Caulfield Guineas, AJC Sires' Produce Stakes, AJC Champagne Stakes and VRC Ascot Vale Stakes), Trey (VRC Maribyrnong Plate) and Volpi (Railway Handicap). This line has continued its remarkable success throughout history with some of the more recent winners including Lygon Arms by Bletchingly, Brewery Boy by Lorenzaccio, siblings Havoc and Magnificent by Ajax with Magnificent winning both the AJC and VRC Derby in 1945, Street Cafe by Lunchtime, Paratroopers by Commands, two more siblings in Persian Lyric and his brother Prince Darius, the great mare Mannerism, emerging stallion, Xtravagant by Pentire, and the champions Nuffield and Heroic who we have covered at length in previous editions.

Persian Lyric Stradbroke

watch video in text mode TURF MONTHLY 31

TURF MONTHLY 32

AMBERITE

THE FORGOTTEN SON

A

mberite is a hugely underrated racehorse and no doubt one to the best sons of Carbine to grace a racetrack. He is one of only three horses to have won the AJC Derby, Caulfield Cup, and VRC Derby in the same year. The other two are Posiedon and Tulloch who both are Hall of Fame entrants. That feat alone should rate him among our greatest horses, but there will be few who have heard his name. He certainly never seems to rate a mention when Hall of Fame nominations roll around even though his record would certainly compare favourably with most.

T

he colt was bred by Donald Wallace from his great sire Carbine and the popular mare, Duenna. She had carried Wallace’s magpie jacket with distinction when trained by Phil Heywood, winning among other races the Sapling Stakes at Flemington. At stud, she had already produced some winners for Wallace including Dryden, one of the best juveniles of his year and a place-getter in both the Maribyrnong Plate and Sires’ Produce Stakes. Amberite was to become the third of four stakeswinners she produced alongside Dryden, Flintlock who won the Hobart, Launceston and Perth Cups, and Acetine who won the Tatts Cup in Sydney.

When the Lerderberg Stud was dispersed, she was offered for sale with a foal at foot that turned out to be Amberite. They were sold to the famed breeder John Lee of

TURF MONTHLY 33

Bylong, NSW for only 220 guineas seemingly on a whim. Like many of Carbine’s progeny, Amberite’s legs were considered to be ordinary, and Lee decided to lease the horse to William Duggan, one of Randwick’s most promising young trainers under whose name Amberite was to race for his entire career. Lee was winding down his breeding interests by 1896, and Lee had previously placed his horses with Tom Ivory who had retired a year or two earlier due to failing eyesight. Ivory had nominated Duggan as a most capable replacement. The colt was named Amberite after a smokeless powder composed of guncotton, barium nitrate and paraffin that was popular at the time.

W

illiam Duggan was born in Wollongong in 1859, and as a very young boy used to ride in hack races near the Tom Thumb Lagoon. He caught the eye of prominent owner, George Osborne who recommended Duggan to his Sydney trainer, Tom Lamond. Within months, the 14-year-old Duggan had partnered Osborne’s good Yattendon mare, Vixen, to win the 1873 Sydney Cup. The following year Duggan rode Speculation, also trained by Lamond, to win the same race. At the time Lamond was a public trainer whose clients also included EK Cox and the Governor of NSW, Sir Hercules Robinson who took an interest in the young jockey’s career. Duggan’s riding career was only short as weight problems saw him accept a position as a private trainer for George Osborne at Foxlow. After about three years with Osborne, Duggan returned to Sydney where he set up his own stable named Danebury. Among his early clients was William Dangar who owned Algerian, runner-up in the 1888 Sydney Cup, and John McLaughlin who owned Correze, who ran third behind Carbine in the Melbourne Cup and later won the AJC St Leger. Amberite was to prove the horse that made Duggan a wealthy man and cemented his career. He won large sums on Amberite’s victories as a 3yo and these also helped to attract big owners like William Noake, Hamilton Osborne, JC Williamson and William Penn to the stable. Later, Duggan was attacked by trainer John Kelly after trackwork one morning in October 1902. He never fully recovered according to reports and handed in his licence in July 1907, his stables being taken over by AE Wills who had trained Acrasia to win the Melbourne Cup in 1904.

Duggan died at Randwick on New Year’s Eve 1915, at the age of just 56.

A

mberite proved hard to train as a juvenile because of a suspect near foreleg that caused Duggan much anxiety. His first start came in the August Tattersall’s Meeting when he went off as the favourite in a field of twenty-four for the Two-YearOld Stakes over 800m. Amberite began badly and ran unplaced in the race won by

Amberite-winning-the-AJC-Derby TURF MONTHLY 34

Patriot. He did not start again until late November when he finished unsighted over 100m in a Randwick Nursery, again behind Patriot. Duggan though was not discouraged as the colt had shown talent in trackwork, and he thought that he would be suited over more distance. Amberite was brought back for the Randwick Autumn and ran second in both the Champagne and Easter Stakes both times behind the very good colt, Aurum. Duggan reportedly told John Lee that, provided he could give Amberite a suitable preparation, he thought that Amberite was the best colt in Sydney and would win the Derby. Aurum of course was a Melbourne colt, and the two were to have a strong rivalry. Aurum was a full brother to the Melbourne Cup winner, Auraria, and was heavily backed in the Autumn 2yo events when he defeated Amberite. The Melbourne colt was not nominated for the AJC Derby giving the stable plenty of confidence for the Spring.

A

mberite was ridden by Matt Harris for most of his career. Harris is also remembered for his association with two other top horses in Marvel and Melos. The jockey was later to join a small group of horsemen who plied their trade throughout Asia and other near neighbours. Harris was for a time trainer and jockey for the Brun brothers in Noumea and tragically lost his life in a race fall on the island of Java.

A

mberite had his first 3yo start in August for a victory in the Hampden Stakes over 1800m winning by three lengths over Semiramis. It was then onto the Derby, and Amberite was heavily backed to start the 7/4 on favourite in a four horse TURF MONTHLY 35

field. In a slowly run race, the favourite was never troubled to win by three lengths.

He then failed in the Metropolitan against the older horses three days later, but was back to the winners circle on the last day of the Randwick carnival over a mile in the Duff Memorial. Amberite then went to Melbourne for his much anticipated show down with Aurum. This did not happen straight away with Aurum extending his winning run to seven with an eight length romp in the Caulfield Guineas, while Amberite struggled in the last event of the day, finishing a poor sixth at his first look at the track in the 1800m Caulfield Stakes. He had drifted markedly in the betting, and also for the Caulfield Cup where trainer Duggan had backed the 3yo heavily over the winter with his 47.5kg impost at the generous odds of 33/1. Duggan’s confidence was rewarded as Amberite headed to the start with twenty five others on a hot October afternoon. It was only the second time that the field had been started by strands rather than a flag but Amberite jumped well and travelled comfortably throughout the race before going on to win stylishly by more than a length from Parthenopaeus. It was then on to the Derby and the eagerly awaited showdown with Aurum. Aurum was suffering from hoof problem, and went into the race with his hoof bound by wax as we saw was the practice with Carbine. That colt was a son of Trenton who in turn, like Carbine, was a son of Musket. Locals nevertheless rallied around the Victorian colt who was heavily backed in both the Derby and in the Derby – Melbourne Cup doubles. The most serious of a catalogue of collisions involving Aurum happened around the 1000m mark with the Tasmanian horse Eiridsdale galloping on Aurum causing a serious wound on the near hind leg, below the coronet. It virtually put Aurum out of the race but he struggled on to run a distant second some four lengths behind Amberite. The controversy was taken up in the press with a concerted call to establish a panel of stipendiary stewards to replace the honorary committeemen who were often seen as compromised in the process. Despite the calls, it would be another 15 years before that reform was accepted at the VRC.

T

he two good 3yo’s then shaped up for the Melbourne Cup. Amberite had been penalised by the handicapper for his Derby win and carried 53kg, while Aurum was treated even more harshly with 53.5kg, two enormous weights for horses of

TURF MONTHLY 37

that age. Aurum had recovered from his lacerations, but his hoof problems saw him carry heavy shoes to protect them. He battled valiantly but could do not more than run third, over four lengths from the winner. Amberite was feeling the effects of hard racing, and never figured finishing well beaten behind Gaulus and The Grafter who would go on to win the race the following year. Uniquely the pair that quinellaed the race were full brothers. It was the same story later in the week when Aurum won both the Flying Stakes over 1400m, and the Spring Stakes over 2000m with Amberite finishing third and second respectively before connections called an end to his Spring. Aurum went on to win the 3200m CB Fisher Plate to be hailed the champion 3yo. It was remarkable to consider that Amberite could win the races that he did, and yet still not rate the best of his age. Aurum was to be sold to England over the summer and the way was clear for Amberite to prove his position as a champion.

A

mberite returned on 26 February 1898 in the Newmarket over 1200m at Flemington carrying the steadier of 61kg but was unplaced. He ran in the Essendon Stakes over 2400m later that day and improved to run second to Battalion.

A week later he won the Champion Stakes over 4800m in a two horse field. Carrying seven kilograms less than the relatively moderately performed Bundook, Amberite was a class above his rival winning by an official margin of 20 lengths. Two days later Amberite lined up with Battalion and Bundook in a three horse field for the Lock Plate over 2800m. Again, Battalion was successful with Amberite who was meeting Battalion 5kgs worse off than their previous race under two lengths away with a further 20 lengths back to Bundook. Amberite then returned to his best form in Sydney a few weeks later winning the AJC St Leger over 2800m. A second in the Sydney Cup behind the lightly weighted Merloolas was followed by wins in the Cumberland Stakes where he defeated Battalion by a length, and the AJC Plate over 4800m. Interestingly both Battalion and Merloolas were bred in Queensland.

Battalion did not start in a race until a 5yo, while Merloolas had his first start at four in a hack race at Charters Towers. Amberite returned as a 4yo but by now tendon issues were causing serious concerns for connections. The patched up champion was a shadow of his former glory winning only once in 8 starts. His win came in the 1898 Randwick Plate over 4800m where he defeated Merloolas by a head. Amberite carried top weight for the Melbourne Cup but finished eleventh behind The Grafter.

He had his last start in the AJC Summer Cup on Boxing Day when Duggan was

Amberite winning the Caulfield Cup TURF MONTHLY 38

This pedigree is another moderately inbred one with 13.28%. One of the key relationships in this pedigree is that between The Mersey, the dam of Carbine, and Signora, the dam of Duenna. One is bred on a cross of Stockwell over Newminster while this pattern is reversed in the other mare. The wonderful stallions Touchstone and Camel also appear through multiple lines within the pedigree, but there are two other duplications that are likely to play an even more important role. We see the full siblings Euclid and Mathematician appear and they are by Emilius out of Maria. Maria is a full sister to Emma who also appears as the second dam of West Australian, the damsire of the great Musket.

managing a bruised heel on the stallion. The trainer opened the injury the morning of the race to administer cocaine to relieve the pain. Amberite walked onto the track freely, but before the field had gone a mile the champion tied up badly, and eventually returned to scale quite lame. His tendon injury had also flared up and Duggan announced Amberite’s retirement immediately.

J

ohn Lee retired Amberite to his Yarralee property on the banks of the Macquarie River near Kelso, where a small number of his mares were brought from Bylong every season. The septuagenarian studmaster had spent a lifetime standing stallions on his various properties, and Amberite was to be his last but Amberite proved a disappointment. His best horse was Cato, winner of a Hawkesbury Spring Handicap and Summer Cup and a place-getter in The Metropolitan of 1904, and he also produced a dual June Stakes winner in Rose Ailie. Amberite became more renowned as a sire of picnic gallopers such as Amberise, who allowed Mrs Anthony Hordern to become the first lady owner to win both the historic Tirrana and Bong Bong Cups. John Lee died in November 1909 at the age of 83 after falling from a horse. His stud was dispersed and Amberite suffered the ignominy of being sold to Ernie Green of Charlton in Victoria for only 140 guineas. He ended his career at stud there at a fee of six guineas. While Amberite is considered a disappointment at stud, three of his daughters ensured his name lived on. Miss Muriel and Needle Gun, bred by the Lee family, produced three winners of the QTC Stradbroke Handicap in the space of five years. Needle Gun gave us Princes Gun and Line Gun, the 1912 and 1913 winners while Miss Muriel produced Amberdown who won the 1916 Stradbroke along with four other stakes races in Brisbane. Line Gun was to produce stakes winner Warwick Gun but more importantly her daughter, Sere Vale

by Seremond was to produce four stakes winners including one of Queensland’s best ever in Spear Chief by Spearfelt. Spearfelt was a grandson of Spearmint, one of Carbine’s greatest sons and we will discuss this galloper next month. Amberite also had a daughter called Glory whose line continues with horses like the excellent half-brothers in Vain Karioi and Star Of Karioi.

A

rguably though it was a daughter of Amberite called Demure that leads us to the most enduring influence of Amberite. She was a daughter of the Maribyrnong mare, Modesty who had produced the wonderful colt, Tricolor who won the 1897 Sydney Cup. Demure produced Lord Alwyne by St Alwyne who won three stakes races including the 1912 VRC Hotham Handicap and later became a useful sire in South Australia. This line eventually leads us to a Better Boy colt out of a Rego mare called Royal Suite that was born in 1969 and raced under the name of Century.

Century was an outstanding galloper and perhaps an even more outstanding sire, and we will take the opportunity to highlight this remarkable horse a little later.

While Century remains a prized name in pedigrees, the legacy of Amberite will continue even if his name and deeds are scarcely recalled.

TURF MONTHLY 40

CENTURY

AMBERITE’S LEGACY

C

entury is another name in Australian racing that is fading into the mists of time. At one stage he was a superstar of the turf and a champion stallion whose name every breeder wanted in a pedigree. That was before Bletchingly, and then Sir Tristram and eventually Danehill. Nevertheless he remains not only a valuable influence in the Australian thoroughbred, but also one of the most enduring lines of the wonderful Amberite.

T

he colt was born in 1969, by Champion Irish bred stallion, Better Boy. Better Boy was a son of My Babu who had won the Autumn Foal Stakes as a 2yo but came to Australia as a racing prospect as a northern hemisphere 3yo. After acclimatising he finally made it to the track during his southern 5yo season and he raced 11 times at that age for five wins and four seconds. He won the VRC Hotham Hcp, MVRC Gisborne Hcp, Seymour Cup, Kilmore Advanced Hcp and fittingly the Mornington Carbine Hcp. Better Boy caused something of a sensation in the 1956 Caulfield Cup. He managed to dislodge his jockey Norm Powell almost as soon as they jumped and, despite not having a rider, Better Boy crossed the finishing line in front of hot favourite, Redcraze. The following season his form tapered off, winning only the Woodend Cup from his fifteen starts. After one start as a 7yo he was retired by owner Dave Whiteside, to his Rangeview stud at Carrum Downs in Melbourne's south-east. Better Boy was to sire 37 stakes winners including crowd favourites like Craftsman and Reckless and top the sires table four times. Few though had the talent of Century.

C

entury was a son of Royal Suite by Rego, and although she lived to the age of thirty, she produced only one stakes winner. She traced back to the Amberite mare, Demure who had produced the stakes winning Lord Alwyne. Century made his first racetrack appearance at Cheltenham but finished seventh. He showed his class at his next start winning the SA Kentucky Handicap over 1000m to earn a trip to Melbourne. He was ridden by Roy Higgins in the Niddrie Handicap at Moonee Valley and won comfortably by 2 lengths at 7/4 on. He won his next start at the same course and distance in the Matthew Flinders Handicap, this time starting even shorter at 2/1 on. A win in the Montrose Handicap at Caulfield again at odds-on saw him start at 2/1 in the Blue Diamond. He had a torrid battle with John’s Hope who was later to win the Golden Slipper, going down by a short half head. Century then won the VRC Sires Produce over 1400m and bypassed the Golden Slipper, instead having his first Sydney start in the AJC Sires Produce finishing fifth behind Sovereign Slipper and then finishing fourth in the Champagne Stakes over 1600m behind Anjudy.

R

eturning as a 3yo, Century won the Freeway Stakes at Moonee Valley beating Acidity before winning the Ascot Vale Stakes at Moonee Valley by five lengths.

The colt was then beaten by another star in Sobar in the Caulfield Guineas when starting the 5/4 on favourite. A third in the Craven A Stakes was followed by a third in the Linlithgow behind All Shot. Century continued his run of placings by finishing second to Zambari in the Oakleigh Plate but he returned to the winners list in the Newmarket. On to Sydney, Century was second in the George Ryder again behind All Shot and then second to Analie in the Doncaster beaten a short half head when giving the mare 8kgs in weight. He finished off his 3yo season with another second behind All Shot, this time in the All Aged Stakes over 1600m.

TURF MONTHLY 41

A

s a 4yo, Century continued his string of placings by running second to Tauto in the Freeway Stakes at Moonee Valley and then started odds on again when second to Zambari in the Memsie Stakes. He went back to Sydney to blot his copy book by finishing unplaced in both the Theo Marks and Epsom Handicap. Back in Melbourne, Century ran second in the Toorak Handicap over 1600m before heading for a break after a disappointing campaign. He won the Craven A Stakes first up before running third behind Tauto in the Linlithgow. Century got his revenge on John’s Hope in the VRC Lightning before finishing a disappointing fourteenth in the Newmarket carrying 61kg. The stallion was retired to stud where he made an immediate impression. In his first crop he sired the wonderful Double Century who won the AJC Sydney Cup, QTC Grand Prix Stakes, VATC Stanley Plate, VRC Batman Handicap and Queensland Derby and Valley Of Georgia who won the VATC Underwood Stakes. His second crop saw him produce Century Miss who won the Golden Slipper which helped propel him to Australian Champion Sires Title. In all Century was to produce 44 stakes winners including Group 1 winners like Euclase (1992 Goodwood Handicap), Centaurea (1985 Australasian Oaks), Centro (1990 Caulfield Guineas) and perhaps his most famous son in Rubiton who won the Futurity, Mackinnon, Underwood and Cox Plate in 1987.

C

entury had 16 sons go to stud with the likes of Double Century siring Stylish Century, Rubiton who produced the likes of Fields Of Omagh, Adam, Monopolize, and Centaine who produced the excellent Kinjite. Even though his star seems to now have dimmed, the presence of Century in modern pedigrees still play an important role.

watch video in text mode TURF MONTHLY 42

Century is another stallion with a moderately inbred pedigree with 10.94% inbreeding. One of the most striking features again in this pedigree is the presence of three-quarter siblings Badruddin and Mumtaz Begum. Both are daughters of Mumtaz Mahal and have Blandford as either their sire or grandsire. Interestingly we also see Blandford twice more in the pedigree through both a son and a daughter. We also see that Blandford is a son of Swynford who also appears through a daughter in the tail line of My Babu. Solario, Pharos and his sire, Phalaris are also duplicated in the pedigree. We have highlighted how this stallion traces to a daughter of Amberite, and we cannot ignore the fact that we see Nearco as a dominant feature in the pedigree. Nearco sees his grand damsire as Spearmint, one of the most remarkable sons of Carbine that we will look at next month.

LA CARABINE BETTER WITH AGE

L

a Carabine might well be the most underrated galloper in Australian history.

Her name is rarely mentioned when great horses of the past come to mind even though she won ten stakes races including twice winning the AJC Plate, now the Queen Elizabeth, and the Champion Stakes as well as a Sydney Cup, and an Australian Cup. La Carabine was unlucky in that she raced at the same time as one of the true legends of the Australian turf in Wakeful. She was also a daughter of Carbine, and like many of his progeny, she did not reach her peak until she matured.

Like Carbine she was widely renowned as having a near perfect galloping action.

L

a Carabine was bred by Matthew O'Shanassy by Carbine out of his mare, Oratava.

O’Shanassy was a son of Sir John O’Shanassy and inherited huge wealth upon his father’s death. Tragically Matthew O’Shannasy died at the relatively young age of 54 although had been ill for some years, reportedly after having been “immersed in the Murray River” following the capsize of a boat. Until the accident O’Shannasy was a popular and foreward thinking member of the VRC Committee. He was

TURF MONTHLY 44

responsible for a number of key improvements to the racing industry, although not all were popular among participants. He took a leading part in bringing about the licensing of the bookmaker. The idea was strongly opposed by some prominent bookmakers at the time but was a great innovation with it becoming a rarity for a bookmaker to default from that period. It did lead to some criticism of the VRC in that they were seen to be reluctant to license new bookmakers, but it was always a fine line between caution and allowing too free a licencing process. His other major introduction was the use of a “false rail” which was roundly criticised in many circles. However, the use of the false rail proved how dangerous some of the turns on racetracks of the day, in particular at Caulfield, actually were and eventually led to the remodelling of many racecourses.

O

’Shanassy used his wealth to breed many horses, although his personal success was relatively limited. After his illness he took to leasing most of his horses. He had tasked the respected Matthew Dawson to select some mares from England and duly five regally-bred brood mares arrived. They were Oratava by Barcaldine, Silvia

by Thurio, Barley by Barcaldine, Azalea by Galliard, and Needle by Peter. Barley was perhaps the most successful producing Maltster was to go on to win both the AJC and VRC Derbies and become an outstanding sire, and two other stakes winners in O’Trigger and Zythos. Silvia was the dam of Duke Of Portland who won the Standish Handicap.

L

a Carabine was bred by O’Shannasy from his imported mare, Oratava in 1894, from only the third local crop of Carbine. In fact, most of O’Shannasy’s mares were to reside at Lederberg Stud alongside Carbine. Matt O’Shannasy had high hopes for his mating between his top mare and Carbine, but the resultant foal was a great disappointment. The filly foal was described as a weedy type, and in the early part of her racing career was noted as resembling a “one railed fence,” a description that was reported as not being a misleading one. O’Shannasy’s disappointment would see him lease the filly to Herbert Power who gave her to James Wilson to train. She had her first start in a Nursery Handicap at Caulfield finishing unplaced. Her next start was in a similar race at Flemington where she again failed. She started again at Flemington in the open Flemington Stakes which was won by the top galloper, Aurum. Despite her three unplaced runs, connections continued their faith in the filly, starting her in the Oakleigh Plate where she again finished unplaced behind Flintlock. She had another unplaced run in the Junior Stakes before connections

TURF MONTHLY 45

took her to Sydney for an ambitious tilt at the Doncaster. Despite being a 2yo, and never having started past 1100m, La Carabine was well supported but got well back in the race and never featured. La Carabine then had her only win as a 2yo in the Nursery Stakes back over 1000m in what proved to ultimately be her only success for Herbert Power.

L

a Carabine was to have six starts as a 3yo but again failed to run a place. She was often sent out against the best, despite not racing in either of the Oaks, but she finished behind Ayrshire in the VRC September Handicap, Battalion in the AJC Autumn Stakes, and Merloolas in the Sydney Cup. She started her 4yo season with a second in the VATC Maladoff Stakes over 2200m but then was unplaced in the St Albans Cup at Geelong. La Carabine then put in perhaps the best run of her career to that point, dead heating with Dreamland in the 2400m VRC August Handicap. Unfortunately, she was to lose the run-off. Two unplaced runs in the Coongy and Hotham Handicaps followed before the death of Matthew O’Shannasy.

All of his stock, and his stud were put up for public sale by auction. It proved to be a sale of some great bargains with the mares, Barley and Orotava purchased by Mr S Hordern, of New South Wales. for 380 guineas and 340 guineas respectively.

Maltster who was still a yearling was sold to Mr R Orr for 810 guineas. Clearly Power and Wilson were disappointed with La Carabine who was rather surprisingly allowed to pass into the hands of Mr WR Wilson for only 210 guineas which must rate as one of the great bargains of the Australian turf.

U

nder the care of her new trainer, Hugh Munro, La Carabine started with a win in the 2000m VRC Stand Stakes before running second in the Toorak Handicap back over a mile. She was then unplaced in both the Caulfield Cup behind Dewey, the Melbourne Cup behind Merriwee and the VRC Handicap behind Voyou. The Autumn Flemington carnival saw a change in fortune for the mare who had her first major win of her career, beating Tablik over the 3600m of the Australian Cup. Another trip to Sydney beckoned and she found the mile of the Doncaster too short.

La Carabine then won the Sydney Cup beating Severity by two lengths and then the AJC Plate over 4800m beating the Melbourne Cup victor in Merriwee. The mare then went to Adelaide where she was unplaced in the Adelaide Cup and then ran an unlucky third in the Victoria Park Birthday Cup closing quickly on the winner.

Her 5yo season finished with a win in the 2800m Alderman Cup which was run the same week in which her owner died. The estate of Mr Wilson was sold including his famed St Albans stud and La Carabine was among the most prestigious, selling to James Scobie on behalf of Sir Rupert Clarke for 1200 guineas.

L

a Carabine was unplaced in the Caulfield Cup behind Igliston, the Melbourne Stakes behind Lancaster and the Melbourne Cup behind Clean Sweep, Maltster and Alix before turning the table on Alix in the VRC Handicap. The mare then won

TURF MONTHLY 46

the VRC Essendon Stakes beating her stable mate, Clean Sweep and then won the Champion Stakes defeating the NZ champion, Advance. Two close seconds behind Clean Sweep in the Loch Plate and Advance in the Autumn Stakes at Randwick followed. She then finished fourth behind San Fran, Australian Colors, and Wakeful in teh Sydney Cup. That was to be her last defeat as a 6yo as she won the AJC Cumberland Stakes and AJC Plate beating San Fran in both races, before heading again to Adelaide to win the Elders Stakes, the SAJC Handicap and the Parkside Stakes. La Carabine had her final campaign as a 7yo and started by running down the track behind Wakeful in the Essendon Stakes. She turned the tables on that great mare at her next start, winning the important Champion Stakes for the second time with Wakeful trailing in by some two lengths. She again was unplaced behind Wakeful in the AJC Autumn Stakes before finishing third in her final start in the AJC Cumberland Stakes behind Leonard. In all, La Carabine retired with 15 wins from her 48 starts.

La Carabine winning the 1902 Champion Stakes with Wakeful second TURF MONTHLY 47

A

t stud La Carabine produced only one stakes winner in Ipidi who was to win the SA Stakes in Adelaide over 1200m. The relative lack of success of both La Carabine and her great rival, Wakeful at stud sparked a discussion about the merits of champion mares at stud, an argument that continues to this day. In his excellent book, Analysis of Champion Racehorses, Peter Pring rated La Carabine as a very good broodmare, although there will be plenty to argue the point. In all La Carabine produced seven foals of which five raced for three winners. Her first foal in 1904 was a filly by Maltster who won five races including two in Melbourne and one in Adelaide from 52 starts. Her next named foal was Paul Valmar by Wallace who was unplaced in four starts. Then came Nihi by Dreamland who did not race, and then Ipidi by United States who won two races from twelve. Then came a full sister to Ipidi called Tao who won seven races in the country from 38 starts. Her final foal was Lady Isis by The Welkin who did not win from ten starts. Lady Isis is the only daughter to have bred on, and while this line has produced little of note, it did produce High Fire by Empyrean who won the 1958 CF Orr Stakes. La Carabine remained one of the favourite horses of Sir Rupert Clarke who commissioned a yacht some years later which he christened LA CARABINE in honour of his famed mare. Sir Clarke also offered a 50 guineas prize for an interstate yacht race called the La Carabine Cup.

TURF MONTHLY 48

La Carabine at 18.75% is the most heavily inbred pedigree featured this month. Three main names appear prominently in West Australian, Stockwell and Newminster. We can add to those names Orlando, Touchstone, Melbourne, and Birdcatcher within six generations. Arguably Touchstone is the most important of these influences appearing eight times in the first six removes. He can be found through the sire line of Musket, as well as appearing as the damsire of West Australian, and as the sire of Newminster and Orlando. He also appears as the grandsire of Paradigm in the tail female line. With all of these duplications it is notable that the only same sex duplication is that of Orlando who appears through two daughters.

THE 2020 CAULFIELD CUP

VERRY ELLEEGANT COMES OF AGE IN MELBOURNE

T

here is little doubt that the Cups races do not have quite the impact on Australian racing that they once did. Some of us who love the history of racing though are still enamoured by these great showpieces and the remarkable horses that are able to win such time honoured events. Nevertheless the 2020 Caulfield Cup did not really stand out as being such an important piece of history at the time. We have talked about the great Verry Elleegant’s 2021 Melbourne Cup win, but it was her 2020 Caulfield Cup that allowed her to take her first big step into racing immortality.

She was no doubt a remarkable mare and had won the ATC Oaks and was well respected. Her major successes had been in Sydney, and while Melburnians always respect a good horse, she had not proven herself a champion in their eyes.

I

n hindsight, the Caulfield Cup field of 2020 must be considered one of the best fields to have been assembled in recent years. It is worth having a look at the runners to give an idea of just how important Verry Elleegant’s victory was. If you watch the race carefully you will see that the mare has a bad habit of racing ungenerously.

Even though jockey Mark Zahra has her in a perfect place throughout the race, she did not help her chances as she fought her rider through the first half mile.

watch video in text mode

TURF MONTHLY 50

1 ANTHONY VAN DYCK (IRE) 58.5kg Aiden O’Brien / Hugh Bowman (17) $6 The son of Galileo was an International star who had won six races including the Epsom Derby. He was coming off a G2 win in France five weeks earlier 2 AVILIUS (GB) 57kg James Cumming / John Allen (13) $31 One of Australia’s best stayers and a multiple G1 winner. He had ran third behind Verry Elleegant and Addeyyb the year before in both the Ranvet and Tancred 3 VOW AND DECLARE 57kg Danny O’Brien / Damien Oliver (14) $41 The reigning Melbourne Cup winner although his form in the Spring of 2020 had been ordinary 4 BUCKHURST (IRE) 55kg Joseph O’Brien / Ben Melham (7) $11 A multiple G3 winner overseas having his first start in Australia and owned by Lloyd Williams 5 MIRAGE DANCER (GB) 55kg Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young / Craig Newitt (5) $31 An imported son of Frankel who had won the Metropolitan in Sydney at his last start 6 MUSTAJEER (GB) 55kg Kris Lees / Billy Egan (11) $101 Another well performed import who had run in the Cups the year before. Had ran second in the Tancred behind Verry Elleegant the previous Autumn and was aimed for another Cups campaign 7 VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ) 55kg Chris Waller / Mark Zahra (8) $5 The champion mare who was the favourite after her Turnbull win 8 DASHING WILLOUGHBY (GB) 54.5kg Andrew Balding / Michael Walker (1) $31 A G2 winner in the UK making his first Australian appearance on route to the Melbourne Cup 9 FINCHE (GB) 54.5kg Chris Waller / Damian Lane (9) $9 Another well performed son of Frankel who had finished close up in the past two Melbourne Cups and was coming off a good third in the Turnbull 9 PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB) 54.5kg Charlie Fellowes / Jamie Kah (15) $17 Another outstanding import who had been placed in the past two Melbourne Cups and was to go on to run third in 2020.

10 MASTER OF WINE (GER) 53.5kg Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes / Craig Williams (6) $7 An import who had come to Australia in 2018 and worked his way through the grades. He had run fourth in the Makbye Diva and fifth in the Turnbull.

12 THE CHOSEN ONE (NZ) 53.5kg Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman / Daniel Stackhouse (2) $61 A well performed NZ horse who had run midfield in the Underwood and Herbert Power 13 WARNING 53kg Anthony & Sam Freedman / Luke Currie (16) $21 The VRC Derby winner from the year before who had run midfield in the Makbye Diva and Turnbull in the lead up 14 DALASAN 52.5kg Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas / William Pike (10) $14 A SA bred horse who had ran third in the VRC Sires Produce as a 2yo and third behind the boom horse Russian Camelot in the SA Derby at three. He was coming off runs just behind the placegetters in both the Makybe Diva and Turnbull 15 TRUE SELF (IRE) 52kg Willie Mullins / Declan Bates (3) $31 An OTI import who had ran second in the Geelong Cup and won the Queen Elizabeth the previous year before returning overseas. He was having his first start for the Spring 16 AKTAU (GB) Scratched 17 TOFFEE TONGUE (NZ) 51kg Chris Waller / Michael Dee (4) $18 Had ran second to Colette in the ATC Oaks before winning the Schweppes Oaks in SA as a 3yo. She had run a narrow second to Verry Elleegant in the Turnbull 18 CHAPADA 50.5kg Michael Moroney / Jye McNeil (12) $21 A promising local stayer who had won the G2 Herbert Power at his last start 19e RAHEEN HOUSE (IRE) 53.5kg Kris Lees / Daniel Moor (18) $201 Another import who had been in Australia for over a year. His best form was during Autumn in Sydney where he won the Chairman’s Hcp and ran third in the Sydney Cup. His Spring form had seen him run tenth in the Wyong Cup at his last start 20e SAN HUBERTO (IRE) Scratched 21e OCEANEX (NZ) Scratched 22e LE DON DE VIE (GB) Scratched

TURF MONTHLY 51