Turf Monthly October 2023

monthly

TURF

October 2023

THIS MONTH

ARTORIUS IN THE CONGO STATE OF REST DARBY MUNRO AND ALLUNGA

Editor’s Letter October already. This month sees the running of our best wfa race in the Cox Plate as well as what was historically the pinnacle of racing at the Melbourne Race Club in the Caulfield Cup. It seems that the major handicaps have lost their attraction to many of the racing public. Sure, many champions find themselves hindered by weight but how magnificent is it to see some of these greats overcoming such obstacles. Who that saw the race could forget Northerly winning with 58kg in 2002 to cement his reputation among our true stars. Since then, it is interesting that only the international stars, Dunaden and Admire Rakti have been able to carry a similar impost. Before Northerly we had to go back to Ming Dynasty in 1980 to see another horse carry 58kg to win the Caulfield Cup. No other horse has carried that much weight to victory since the introduction of metric weights in 1972/73.

That year, the legend that was Gunsynd carried 62kg to run third behind Sobar who carried 48.5kg. It is worth mentioning though that while Ming Dynasty carried 58kg, second that year was Hyperno who carried 59kg while champion Kingston Town was third with 60kg. Since 1972, Ming Dynasty remains the only horse to have won the Caulfield Cup twice, winning also in 1977 carrying 54kg. In the imperial system, 58kg represents 9 stone 2 pounds, the weight that was carried by Gay Icarus to win the Caulfield Cup in 1972. In 1967, champion Tobin Bronze carried 9.10 to victory while Redcraze in 1956 carried an incredible 9.13. Before then, it was Amounis in 1930 (9.8), High Syce 1929 (9.4), Manfred 1926 (9.6), Purser 1924 (9.4), Poseidon (9.3) 1907 and Paris 1894 (9.4) who carried more weight. The lightest weight ever carried was 6.9 or 42kg by Oakleigh in 1887.

What amazing performances and what history these races hold. I wonder what this Spring will hold.

CONTENTS 4

Artorius

10

In The Congo

14

State Of Rest

19

Darby Munro

30

Allunga

Cover Photo

Flying Artie

Winner of the 2016 Coolmore Stud Stakes Sire of Artorius

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

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NEWGATE NEW BOYS ARTORIUS IN THE CONGO STATE OF REST

ARTORIUS

CAN HE REACH THE TOP?

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rtorius is one of the most high profile newcomers this year at Newgate Farm.

The stallion certainly ticks a number of boxes for a new stallion and Newgate Farm certainly knows how to support their stallions. Marketing though is a big thing for new stallions, and sometimes it must be a tough gig for studs to come up with something new. To quote from the Newgate Farm site, Atorius “ran the fastest last 600m in 9 of his 11 Group 1 runs – including running faster than Anamoe in the Caulfield Guineas & Home Affairs in the Coolmore.” It is certainly an interesting view but whether many mare owners would factor it into mating decisions is another story.

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rtorius was a top quality galloper, and was arguably unlucky to run into some even better ones in many of his big races. He started his career by running second at Geelong over 1135m on 7 January 2021. He won his second race at Sandown over 1300m two weeks later. After a four week let-up he went out and won the Group 1 Blue Diamond over 1200m at Caulfield at only his third race start, beating Ingratiating and Anamoe. He then went to Sydney to run sixth behind Stay Inside in the Golden Slipper. Returning as a 3yo, Artorius was second to Bruckner,

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another first season sire, in the Group 3 McNeil at Caulfield. He was second in the Listed Exford Plate at Flemington and then fourth behind In The Congo in the Group 1 Golden Rose at Rosehill. This was followed by third placings in the Caulfield Guineas behind Anamoe, and the Coolmore at Flemington behind Home Affairs. A break saw him return with unplaced runs in the Group 2 Rubiton at Caulfield and the Group 1 Newmarket at Flemington. A trip to England followed and he impressed with third placings in the Platinum Jubilee behind Naval Crown and July Cup behind Alcohol Free. He then finished sixth in the Maur De Gheest in France before returning to Australia. In the Autumn he won the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes first up and then was fourth behind Anamoe in the George Ryder. He then returned to the UK where he ran fourth in the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Stakes at Ascot behind Khaadem in what was to be his last race start. In all, he was to retire with a little over $2.2 million in prizemoney from three wins and seven placings in seventeen career starts.

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he stallion is of particular interest in the breeding barn being a son of Flying Artie who was in turn a son of the excellent US stallion Artie Schiller. Flying Artie has moved from Newgate Farm, presumably to make space for his son and is of particular interest through being out of a mare by the champion, Rubiton who is a little of a forgotten influence in the modern local breed. Flying Artie went to stud in 2017 and now stands at Blue Gum Farm in Victoria where breeders will no doubt appreciate the presence of Rubiton. In all, Flying Artie has produced six stakes winners that also includes Group 2 Caulfield Sprint winner, Asfoora. The dam of Artorius is the unraced Redoute’s Choice mare, Gracie’s Lady. His second dam is the US bred Grace And Power by More Than Ready who won the Listed Meadowlands Holly Stakes and was second in the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet Stakes. She was to produce Delectation by Shamardal who had five wins including the Group 1 VRC Darley Classic and Group 2 ATC Royal Sovereign Stakes. While much of the immediate family is not well known in Australia, Artorius traces to the legendary broodmare La Troienne from the famed Bruce Lowe number 1 family.

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rtorius represents an interesting challenge for breeders. While his sire Flying Artie was an outcross to Danehill line mares, the presence of Redoute’s Choice as Artorius’ damsire offers a different challenge. Four of Flying Artie’s stakes winners came from Danehill line mares with the others coming from an I Am Invincible mare, and an Encosta De Lago mare. The winner with Encosta De Lago as his damsire saw Danehill as his second damsire. While I have no doubt that breeders will be enticed by a sex-balanced Redoute’s Choice duplication to be found in mares by his sons and grandsons, it is a strategy that is a very high risk one. Again this

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is a stallion that I would suggest trying to push Danehill as far back as possible in a pedigree may be the best strategy. There are fortunately other influences within Artorius’ pedigree that may well be worth targeting. The stallion Fappiano by Mr Prospector is one such example. A largely underrated influence, Fappiano was the sire of US stars like Unbridled, Cryptoclearance, Defensive Play and Quiet American.

He appears notably in the pedigree of Australian stallion Northern Meteor and his descendants like Zoustar and Deep Field may well appear in pedigrees of mares that are compatible with the stallion. Another significant influence in the pedigree of Artorius is another US influence in More Than Ready. He can be found now in the sire line of stallions like Supido and Better Than Ready to name but two. He also has been an outstanding broodmare sire in his own right, and although a sex-balance influence would be preferred, there is no doubt that he is another stallion who could play a role in the future of Artorius. Most likely though it will be some of the more outcross pedigrees that will be the key to the stallion’s success. One line I think that could have success is that of Machiavellian and his son Street Cry. In turn of course this includes Street Boss, and we can also extend that to Shamardal, a close relation of Street Cry. Traditional colonial lines are of course ones that are more difficult to find, but there are a host of stallions like I Am Invincible, Lohnro, as well as O’Reilly, Pins and other NZ lines that are likely to suit. Artorius unfortunately looks like he will need many of the non-Danehill mares to achieve success. Just like on the racetrack, it is a little hard to see him not playing second fiddle to some of the higher profile stallions although Newgate will certainly give him every opportunity.

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IN THE CONGO

ANOTHER SON OF SNITZEL

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n The Congo is another of the newcomers at Newgate Farm. He earned his shot at stud glory largely through his win in the Group 1 Golden Rose which many regard as a stallion making race. It is certainly a race that has historically been won by good horses, and it was won by Zoustar who went on to become a top line stallion, but the notion that winning a certain race ensures stud success is an odd one. The Caulfield Guineas has a similar reputation and that was underlined by the fact that the race was won by champion Redoute’s Choice. There was also a rule of thumb that a good stallion needed a Group 1 over 1600m on his resume which further enhanced the reputation of the Guineas. On the other hand, we see races that seem to spell a death knell for a stallion career and the most notable of these currently are the Derbies in Australia. Such perceptions though will only last until a stallion who has won any of these races makes it big. Then we will see a complete reversal in thinking as the next fad hits the thoroughbred market. This however is unfair on In The Congo. He was a quality racehorse and fully deserves his chance at stud. At Newgate he will be well supported but it will come down to whether he can produce quality runners that will see where his future lies.

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he stallion started his career by winning a 2yo Maiden on the Kensington track over 1100m in May 2021. Three weeks later he was to run second in a 2yo handicap over 1200m at Randwick at his only other start at that age. After a six week let up, he ran second to Paulele in the Listed Rosebud Stakes over 1100m at Randwick. In The Congo then defeated that horse in the Group 3 San Domenico which was run at Kembla Grange. A second to Anamoe in the Run To Rose again at Kembla Grange followed before the colt had his finest moment by defeating that same horse in the Golden Rose. He then failed in the Group 1 Coolmore at Flemington before heading for a break. Returning in the Autumn, In The Congo was third behind Shelby Sixtysix in the Galaxy before running second to Mazu in the Group 2 Arrowfield. He then finished ninth over 1400m in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes won by Cascadian. As a 4yo, In The Congo returned to finish unplaced in the Group 2 McEwen over 1000m at Moonee Valley before returning to Sydney where he was second in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes. An unplaced run over 1500m in the Golden Eagle at Rosehill was followed by a second in the million-dollar Hunter at Newcastle before he was to go to the paddock. In The Congo was then to fail in the Group 1 William Reid again at Moonee Valley in March this year before being retired.

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n The Congo is a son of Snitzel and becomes the twenty-fourth son of that stallion currently at stud in Australia. Snitzel of course is a son of Redoute’s Choice and when we consider the number of his descendants outside of Snitzel also at stud, it must make us wonder what the future of the Australian thoroughbred holds. It certainly must make breeders wary of duplicating Redoute’s Choice through his sons especially as we see multiple lines of Danehill being commonplace. In terms of his female line, on face value one would assume that the South African family of In The Congo will offer a real point of difference. His dam, Via Africa was a champion sprinter in that country winning ten races. She is by a stallion called Var who few in Australia would probably recognise. Var is a son of Forest Wildcat who we know in Australia as the damsire of Foxwedge. In turn, Forest Wildcat is a son of the US champion, Storm Cat. Snippets of course sees the stallion Storm Bird in his female line meaning that we see a duplication of that stallion as the sire of Storm Cat. Interestingly, we see that the stallion Zilzal, who we note in the pedigree of State Of Rest, is the damsire of Var. The second dam of In The Congo is Bump ‘n Grind who won three races in South Africa but most importantly produced eleven winners from thirteen foals. She is a daughter of Qui Danzig, another stallion we know little of in Australia although, as his name suggests, he is a son of Danzig who we know best as the sire of Danehill.

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f we look at Snitzel, there have been ten of his sons to date that have sired stakes winners. There are a total of 44 stakes winners which include 21 by Shamus Award who is clearly the most successful son to date. Russian Revolution is the next most successful at eight. Of all of the stakes winners, only three hail from a Danehill line mare. These are Soul Patch who is out of a Flying Spur mare, and the only son of Shamus Award in the list, Tellall by Spill The Beans out of a Danehill Dancer mare, and He’ll Haunt Us by Time For War out of a Dane Shadow mare. Clearly, there would need to be a major shift in what works with sons of Snitzel to see In The Congo be successful with Danehill line mares, and given his female line, it is difficult to see anything that would indicate that this is likely to happen. Broodmare sires of the stakes winners from Snitzel sons include the likes of Zabeel, General Nediym, More Than Ready, Iglesia, Magic Albert, Charge Forward, Lonhro, Onemorenomore and High Chaparral and naturally these would be lines to look at for he stallion. Many are getting older and will be more difficult to find, but the other key, I suggest, is the speed bias of the stallion. He was clearly a very fast short course runner, so it is fair that it is likely that some form of stamina may be needed in the mares that he covers if he is going to be successful. Emerging broodmare sires like I Am Invincible and Zoustar may suit best if the mares have stamina lines through their female families.

This would include the likes of Sadler’s Wells and Zabeel in the mare’s pedigree.

Newgate Farm will give the stallion a good head start, and his progeny are likely to look like early speedy types suggesting that the yearling market should take a liking to his early crops. Success though will need to come from In The Congo either being compatible with Danehill line mares, or by gaining his share of these non-Danehill line mares that are becoming increasingly rare in our modern breed.

Snitzel TURF MONTHLY 13

STATE OF REST

WELL RELATED INTERNATIONAL

S

tate Of Rest comes to Newgate Farm this season as the controversial winner of the 2021 Cox Plate. He, some would say rather fortunately, was able to see off the challenge of boom colt, Anamoe both on the track and in the stewards’ room.

State Of Rest laid in down the straight which those who watch the replay will clearly see. Quite remarkably, the three placegetters in the race at Moonee Valley were the last three in running. Verry Ellegant was to run third in the race but was also a hard luck story having to go around the field while the other two gained runs on the inside. Nonetheless, the quality of the three placegetters is enough to suggest that State Of Rest was a top line galloper, and few could argue about the difficulty of travelling to Australia for such a campaign. He goes to stud backed by some of the biggest owners in the world and will no doubt have incredible support through the quality of mares he will cover. Newgate hail the horse as a potential source of middle distance runners, and are marketing him as a similar prospect to other Cox Plate winners in Shamus Award and So You Think. Both have had success off the track, and it will be interesting to see where State Of Rest ends up in comparison.

But before we look at that, let us recap on his racing career.

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he colt had his first start over six furlongs at the Fairyhouse track in Ireland on 15 June 2020. He won the maiden event by a length and a quarter having raced midfield in the field of 14 for much of the race. He was to run second at his next start over seven furlongs at Leopardstown and in fact was only to place once more in his six starts as a 2yo. As a 3yo, State Of Rest resumed by running third in the Listed Dubai Duty Free Celebration Stakes at the Curragh before being sent to the US where he won the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby over nine furlongs. His next start was the Cox Plate, after which he returned to the UK. Starting as a 4yo, State Of Rest won the Group 1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp over 2100m before finishing a close third three weeks later in the Tattersall’s Gold Cup at the Curragh. He then won the Group 1 Prince Of Wales Stakes at Ascot. State Of Rest was retired after an unplaced run in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois. In all, the stallion was to win five of his thirteen starts and the equivalent of around AU$5.2 million and interestingly over $3 million of that came in his Cox Plate win.

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n terms of pedigree, State Of Rest is a son of Starspangledbanner, the good Australian bred sprinter who won the Caulfield Guineas and Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield and the July Cup and Gold Jubilee Stakes at Ascot in England. Starspangledbanner

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suffers from fertility issues but has shuttled between Australian and Ireland for most of the time since going to stud in 2011. Interestingly, the Irish bred State Of Rest is the only Group 1 winner for the stallion in Australia. Starspangledbanner is notable in being from the same female family as Circles Of Gold who we spoke of recently through another of this year’s freshman stallions in Cape Of Good Hope.

The stallion is a son of Choisir who also made his mark by winning the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Ascot. In turn, Choisir was a son of the legendary Danehill. State Of Rest is out of the unraced US bred Quiet American mare, Repose who has also produced the stakes winning daughter of Australia in Tranquil Lady. It is a very strong black type family although few would be well known locally. His third dam is It’s In The Air, the US champion 3yo filly by Mr Prospector. Among those in the family that may be known here is Storming Home by Machiavellian who won four Group 1 races in England and the US before shuttling to stud in New Zealand. There he produced VRC Derby and Underwood Stakes winner, Lion Tamer. Another son in Jakkalberry won five international stakes races before running third in the 2012 Melbourne Cup behind Green Moon. He was to stand at stud in NZ where he died after only four seasons. His best progeny is Explosive Jack who won three Derbies in the South Australian, Australian and Tasmanian Derbies in 2021 before winning the 2023 Sydney Cup. Significantly, if we look at the six generation pedigree of State Of Rest we see that it is almost a complete outcross with only Northern Dancer duplicated in the fifth and sixth generations. This alone could be an important factor when we consider the future of State Of Rest at stud.

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iven that State Of Rest has an outcross pedigree, one may imagine that it might increase the number of mares that may be compatible, but in this case, it would seem that almost the opposite is the case. The stallion has a range of popular influences in his pedigree including Danehill, Mr Prospector and Nureyev who all will need to be treated carefully in pursuing matings with the stallion. Again though this will rely on where these stallions are located in a pedigree, and what other influences exist. A great example is if we look at the stallion Snitzel. While he is a Danehill line stallion, his damsire is the wonderful Snippets who is by Lunchtime who we find in the pedigree of Choisir through that stallion’s dam. The sex-balanced cross of Lunchtime would seem to complement the Danehill influence through both sire lines and this is one stallion that I would imagine will have some daughters who will match nicely with the stallion. Coincidentally, another of the Cox Plate winners in Shamus Award is a son of Snitzel. Another influence I have mentioned is Nureyev who was a wonderful racehorse and sire and is found in the pedigree of State Of Rest through his female line and a stallion called Zilzal. Zilzal is an influence we do not regularly see here although his son, No Excuse Needed was to stand at stud in NZ. He is perhaps best known for his daughter Daffodil who won the 2009 Australian Oaks. Nureyev is often found through his sons like Peintre Celebre, Polar Falcon, the sire of Pivotal, Soviet Star, the sire of Starcraft and Spinning World, the sire of Thorn Park. Extreme caution should be used in matings with State Of Rest carrying these male lines of Nureyev. However, we can also find Nureyev through a daughter in the pedigree of Zabeel, and in particular Savabeel is one of his descendants whose daughters appeal as likely matings for the subject stallion.

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entioning Zabeel though raises the issues of stamina within the pedigree of State Of Rest. The stud has made it clear that they see the stallion as a source of middle distance runners, but his performance alone may not be so clear.

His sire, Starspangledbanner is a noted sire of speed horses so one would imagine that if State Of Rest throws consistently to this influence, that he will sire plenty of early speed types. I suspect that the stamina sources within his pedigree are largely buried among speed lines and breeders may well struggle to bring these out. Perhaps it is our own stamina influences like Zabeel that will prove critical in this factor. The stamina lines in the pedigree of State Of Rest look to hail from the underrated Fappiano and his damsire, Le Fabuleux. Le Fabuleux appears perhaps most frequently through US lines in particular horses that carry Unbridled in their pedigrees. Interestingly Fappiano appears in the pedigree of State Of Rest through his son, Quiet American. Perhaps the most successful line of Fappiano we have seen in Australia recently is through his presence as the damsire of Northern Meteor who of course appears as the sire of the good stallion, Zoustar. Mares carrying these influences will be interesting prospects although these may be hard to find without close lines of Danehill.

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n terms of local stallions, Written Tycoon is one that may do well with the stallion, although we must wonder if additional stamina lines might be best suited. Stallions who carry Sadler’s Wells are others who appeal. This brings in High Chaparral and his son, So You Think who again is another Cox Plate winner. Two other stallions who may find success when present in pedigree of a mare are Deep Impact and Kingmambo, both stallions who can be found usually in some of the more expensive bloodlines. State Of Rest will not lack for opportunity, but he does not look a stallion who will succeed with a wide range of mares. I suspect that he will have some great successes, but breeders and buyers may have their work ahead of them to find which of his progeny these will be.

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DARBY MUNRO

THE TRAGIC LIFE OF A CHAMPION Munro, David Hugh (Darby) (1913–1966)

by Bede Nairn This article was published in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 10 , 1986 online in 2006 This is a shared entry with James Leslie Munro

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ames Leslie Munro (1906-1974) and David Hugh Munro (1913-1966), jockeys, were born on 7 September 1906 and 5 March 1913 at Caulfield, Melbourne, sons of Hugh Munro (d.1925), horse-trainer, and his wife Susannah Catherine, née Dunn. The Munros were steeped in thoroughbred lore and racing: Hugh trained Revenue, the winner of the 1901 Melbourne Cup; he also had Wakeful, a champion mare which ran second in the 1903 Cup. The Munros moved to Randwick, Sydney, about 1916.

Munro aboard Peter Pan after the Melbourne Cup from the Les Haigh collection TURF MONTHLY 19

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immie Munro was absorbed in horses and stables. His precocious riding skills were recognized by astute horsemen Dick Wootton and William Kelso, but his father refused their offers and indentured him to himself; he completed his apprenticeship with E. F. Walker. At 15 Munro had his first ride, at 6 st. 9 lb. (42 kg), in the Melbourne Cup; in 1923 he was second on Rivoli, but won on Windbag in 1925 and on Statesman in 1928. His first big win had been on Prince Charles, owned

by John Brown, in the 1922 Sydney Cup. In the 1920s he won many major races in Sydney and Melbourne on several other outstanding horses, including Phar Lap, Amounis and Valicare. In 1927 he was disqualified for a year for his ride on Songift at Canterbury.

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unro was a strong rider, proficient with the whip and with hands and heels.

He had an instinctive perception of pace and tactics. Most races until his day were run at a leisurely speed with jockeys holding their mounts up for a final sprint. But Munro would often daringly clap the pace on in the early or middle stages, breaking the field up and often emerging an easy winner. In 1930 he went to Germany to ride for Baron Oppenheim; he won the German Derby on Alba, which he said was the best horse he ever rode. In 1933-34 he rode in India for A. Higgins. Back in Sydney with a high international reputation he maintained his form, but increasing weight limited his rides and in November 1938 he retired. He became a trainer next year, but was content with a small team with which, however, he had much success; in the early 1940s he won nineteen races with Tel Asur. In 1945 he was granted a No.1 licence, but he retired in the early 1950s to spend time in England with his daughter who had married a leading English jockey, G. Lewis.

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Munro and Rogilla Melbourne Cup - Les Haigh collection

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unro died at Randwick on 24 July 1974, survived by his wife Florence Ita Mary, née Duncombe, whom he had married on 14 May 1932 at St Michael's Church, Daceyville, and by a daughter. He was buried in the Catholic section of Waverley cemetery.

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avid, 'Darby', Munro went to the Marist Brothers' College, Randwick, and was apprenticed to his brother John. He won his first race at 14 on Release, defeating Jimmie's mount by a head. He won the 1930 Australian Jockey Club Challenge Stakes and Doncaster Handicap on Venetian Lady, and soon established himself as a daring and vigorous rider, constantly engaged by leading trainers, including Michael (Jack) Holt, Bailey Payten and Peter Riddell. In 1933 he won the A.J.C. Derby and Victoria Racing Club Derby on Hall Mark, and next year his first Melbourne Cup on Peter Pan; in 1944 he won on Sirius and on Russia in 1946. He also rode three Sydney Cup and one Brisbane Cup winners.

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y 1939 Munro was hailed as Australia's best jockey. Swarthy and poker-faced, he was known, among other names, as 'The Demon Darb'. His relations with punters were ambiguous: they occasionally hooted when he lost, especially on a favourite, but cheered when he won. No one doubted his skill or courage. He was a very strong rider with a punishing whip style, but he could nurse a tiring mount with consummate artistry. He always looked good on a horse. Like Jimmie he was a great judge of pace, and dominated many weight-for-age races in Sydney and Melbourne in the 1930s and 1940s with his clever tactics. He rode nine winners at the 1940 A.J.C. Easter carnival, including the Doncaster-Sydney Cup double. Perhaps his best ride was on Shannon, carrying 9 st. 9 lb. (61 kg), in the 1946 Epsom at Randwick when he was accidentally left at the post but pursued the field, manoeuvring his mount through needle-eye openings, coming second by a half head.

Darby Munro on Shannon

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n 1940 Munro's riding weight rose to 8 st. 5 lb. (53 kg) and he had a constant struggle to keep it down. He had trouble with the racing stewards and in 1941 his licence was revoked for six months. He enlisted in the army on 25 June 1942 and served in the salvage section but was discharged medically unfit on 11 February 1944.

He was disqualified for two years in October 1948 because of his ride on Vagabond at Caulfield: in retrospect it seems the stewards misread his expert handling in the straight of a horse that could do no more and lost by a head. As a result of this case he failed to obtain a licence to ride in England in 1953, but he rode in California, United States of America, and France that year. He retired in 1955 and was granted a No.1 trainer's licence, but he had only moderate success.

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n 1964 Munro's left leg was amputated because of diabetes. He died on 3 April 1966 in Sydney Hospital from cerebral haemorrhage, survived by his wife Kathleen Waverley, formerly Frauenfelder, née Trautwein, whom he had married on 24 June 1958 at North Sydney Registry Office, and by two daughters of his second marriage.

He was buried in the Catholic section of Randwick cemetery. He had married Iris Veronica Fisher in St Aloysius Church, Cronulla, on 14 May 1934, and Elsie Joyce Dixon (Shirley Allen) at Paddington Registry Office on 28 August 1941—both marriages ended in divorce.

Munro with Allunga’s part owner E Hunter Bowman TURF MONTHLY 22

Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Monday 4 April 1966, page 16

Darby Munro dead Greatest jockey

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SYDNEY, Sunday. — Tributes by Australia's leading jockeys and trainers and many other members of the horse-racing fraternity were paid today to the late Darby Munro, who died in Sydney Hospital today.

Munro was admitted to Sydney Hospital last Thursday morning after complaining of severe headaches during the week.

He underwent brain surgery late on Friday but was described yesterday as being in a very serious condition with a brain haemorrhage.

His condition rapidly deteriorated and his wife Kathleen was at his bedside throughout the night and yesterday.

Two years ago, doctors amputated his left leg to save his life. He suffered from sugar diabetes and the circulation in his left leg was affected.

"Racing has lost a wonderful character," Bill Camer, For a while it appeared he would lose his other leg. leading Sydney jockey and president of the Australian But he regained his health and vowed he would return Jockeys Association, said tonight. to racing.

"Darby was always willing to assist the young apprentices Victorian born, Munro started riding in 1927 and won and gave them many race rides early in their career." practically every major race in the calendar.

"Darby will remain a legend in Australian racing.

The highlight of his career was his nine winners in four "He was strong, fearless, determined and a tremendous days of the AJC spring carnival of 1940. judge of pace. He was the greatest jockey in Australian In 1938 Munro rode seven consecutive winners at racing history."

Ascot and Newcastle.

Leading Sydney trainer T. J. Smith said, "He sure will He rode three Melbourne Cup winners, Peter Pan in be missed."

1934. Sirius in 1944 and Russia in 1946.

His neighbour for 14 years, former Sydney trainer He won the Sydney Cup three times and rode the Frank Dalton, said, Munro was "probably one of Ihe winners of five AJC Derbies and five Victorian Derbies. best riders ever known," and described him as "a grand Munro retired from riding in 1955 and was immediately man in every way." granted a No 1 trainer's licence.

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DARBY MUNRO IN HIS OWN WORDS

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Wednesday 26 February 1941, page 7 Darby Munro's Advice And Hints To Young Riders

Darby Munro at Randwick 1952 by Ern McQuillan

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SOME sound advice and valuable hints to young jockeys, and to those who aspire to become jockeys, are given by Darby Munro, Australia's leading rider, in this instalment of his Secrets of the Turf.

Munro describes the methods which have been so successful in his case, emphasises the necessity of keeping fit, and tells how he keeps his weight down.

BEING a jockey is not the most pleasant life, unless, of course, you make a success of it. I know only too well that the majority of youngsters today, particularly if they are small, think the best thing they can do is to become a jockey. I have nephews, and they are always pestering me and asking me what they should do to get a footing in the racing game. Let me tell these youngsters right now that the racing game is as hard as nails, and you get more knocks than bouquets. In the first place a jockey is born and not made. I inherited a deep love for horses, and a natural ability to ride. This is not always the case with lads who aspire to be jockeys. I'm not trying to dampen their enthusiasm, but a youngster should think twice before he decides on being a jockey, in preference to learning a trade, or entering a profession. In the first place a budding rider must be devoted to horses. He must have a feeling of disgust, and pity when, for instance, he sees the local milkman jagging at his horse's mouth.

That is no way to treat a horse. You've got to make a friend of it, and you can only do that by a close study and being in constant touch with it. Now let me tell you something about my apprentice days, the discipline, and, above all, the necessity for keeping fit. Unless a youngster is a born rider, he will shudder at the prospect of going through what I, and, for that matter, every jockey, did before we became proficient. I was brought up by a dad who was as hard as nails. I thank him for it.

He ruled me with a rod of iron, but I have since learned that it was all done to teach me that racing is a tough game in which only the fit can survive. I played around with horses as soon as I could walk, and when I got to the stage that it looked as if I was cut out to be a jockey, my father took me in hand properly. He did not treat me as a spoilt child when it came to the horses. When my father died and I became apprenticed to my brother, Jack, he was just as stern a boss. I was on the same level as the stable boys. I had to do all sorts of menial jobs such as cleaning put the boxes.

I was paid no wages, but, of course, I got free board.

I WAS always one of the first up in the morning. This is essential. Jockeys must cultivate the habit of rising with the dawn, which, in a way is a blessing, because at the end of the day you are so tired that you're glad to get to bed early. But if one is to become a good jockey, more is required than being able to get up early, and ride a lot of horses in work, at the track. I have seen dozens of youngsters who have shown some ability in track gallops but have been complete failures when they have ridden in an actual race. That only proves again that jockeys are born, not made. I was lucky.

I belonged to a family who knew horses backwards, but my father would never let me rely on this. I can hear him now say: 'David, I'll teach you all I know, and so will your brother, Jim, but always remember this, you are never too old to learn.' I took the tip. It was the broad hint to battle for myself and pick up knowledge outside the stable. So, with F. Hickey, my close friend Bill, we decided to take lessons elsewhere.

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In these days apprentices have a much better chance of making good, thanks to the apprentices' school started by the late Colonel Walter Farr. I urge all the youngsters never to miss a night at the school. When we were mere youngsters Bill and I would work overtime on race days in cleaning up the stables, in doing any other jobs, and before the horses left for the course. Then we would sneak over to the meeting. In those days, we would never go into the course, but would patronise the outer. Some days we would climb the fence and get a good position near the start. Other times we would go farther along the track. This was because we wanted to study the styles of the great jockeys of the time at vital stages of the race. On those excursions I learnt more about the art of riding than I have ever gained from seeing a race from the grandstand. I had some great horsemen to teach me. There was brother Jim, a real artist, the great Jim Pike, and Jack Toohey, to name only three. I learnt plenty in those days, but I say now definitely a jockey must cultivate a style entirely his own.

You couldn't say that I resemble brother Jim in any way. Nor have I copied any other rider of the past. I have developed a style entirely of my own.

TO become a good jockey you must look after your health, and be thoroughly fit right up to the time you decide to retire from the saddle. It's the fit jockey who wins races. He will never be caught napping in a finish, in which the fitness of horse and rider only can win today. In the summer months I never get up later than 5.30. I do my physical jerks and go to the track between 7 and 7.30. I make it a practice not to ride too many horses in work, because this has a tiring effect. I definitely disagree with jockeys who work overtime on galloping mornings. For breakfast I have a cup of tea and never more than two slices of dry toast. If the weather is all right in the summer I will then go to the beach, if it's winter, I just loaf about the house, or go to bed again. I have a cold lunch at 11.30, and I have plenty to occupy my mind during the afternoon if it isn't race day. I am a keen film fan, but I will wait weeks to see a good picture. I am not keen on gangster stuff, nor musical comedies; I like something on the serious side that will teach you a lesson of life. I don't think I have seen a better film than 'Gone With the Wind.' That's the type of thing I like. One thing I do like is a good meal at night. Like most men, I think my mum is the best cook in the world, and, believe me, she can certainly serve us a roast dinner. Just the first course suits me. You can't kid me to have sweets, but I like fruit, and plenty of it. I'm not a keen golfer. It's a great game all right, but it's heartbreaking when you can't hit that little white ball straight. I consider I did myself a good turn when I sold my clubs. My friends, Bill Cook and Sid Cracknell, are in a way to blame.

They made it too hot and took too many balls too often from me. I'm a keen cricket fan, and will be glad when the days of peace return and we're able to see the good old Test matches being played again. I'm not a night-owl. Bed does me. But I never miss a good fight, and I also believe that all work, and no play, makes one dull, so occasionally I go to dances. The jockey who is dazzled by the bright lights might just as well hang up his whip. The trouble is that if a prominent rider decides to attend a dance once in a while, there are all sorts of rumours that he has dined, and wined, too wisely, which is, of course, ridiculous. A jockey is no different to anybody else, but, because he is in the public eye, scandalmongers love to make him the butt of

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their rumours. We jockeys have too much at stake to play around. I hope that will sink into people who are in the habit of saying Injurious things, not only about myself, but other well-known riders.

ON race mornings, I attend the track as usual, and, after breakfast, I always go to the baths. I look after myself, but, even so, I cannot keep my weight down to my usual riding weight of 8.4. After race day I usually put on about 5lb., so, you see I can never forget the baths. It takes me about an hour to get down to 8.4. I always have to be careful when I go to Melbourne. The baths there do not agree with me for some strange reason, so the whole time I'm there I'm more or less on a strict diet.

I honestly can say that my only square meal while I'm in Melbourne is at lunch on race days, when I always have a juicy steak.

I'll never forget the time I rode Nuffield in the Caulfield Guineas. I was weak from wasting, and could not even have my steak. A well-wisher induced me to have some sort of concoction, consisting of brandy and some tonic. I was so sick that it took me all my time to land Nuffield, and I was so much off colour that I could not accept another mount all day. Being a jockey, brings you into contact with many people in all walks of life. If you are successful, they make a great fuss of you. I am afraid a lot of this is shallow friendship. The public, particularly where racing is concerned, is very fickle. I've got lots of friends — at least a lot of them say they are — and because I am a successful rider they slap me on the back and say, 'Good on you, Darb, you're the best rider in the world.' If I wasn't Darby Munro they wouldn't want to know me. I realise this only too well. How can I forget? I've only got to go on the racecourse these days and see men who a few years ago would have been welcome in any company and anywhere because they were successful jockeys. Today, through circumstances that they know best, these same men walk about, probably with nothing in their pockets, shunned by their former so-called friends. Not once, but often, I have ridden a bad race and have been lucky enough to win. People will come up to me and say, 'There's no doubt about you, Darby, you could win on a rocking horse.' The next day I will ride a brilliant race, even if I say so myself, and be beaten on my merits. My friends will sympathise with me, but behind my back they will say, 'Did you see Darby, he simply butchered it.' No; there is no game in which you get such hard knocks as racing. I hope parents with boys anxious to follow the profession will dig this into them. Make them realise it from the start, and not be disillusioned later on. They may make a great impression in their apprentice days. They may ride winner after winner, but as the years go on in the majority of cases they will start to put on weight, and their chances of getting mounts regularly will diminish. I have heard people say that the pick of the horses in Sydney are ridden by a select band of jockeys. That may be so, but it doesn't say that there aren't good riders here. There are a number of good jockeys; but they simply don't get the opportunities. Some get a ride once in a blue moon, win a race, and show outstanding ability, but then you find that it's some time before they get a good mount again.

WHILE I am on the subject of hints to young riders, I would like to reply to a man

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from Canberra — one of hundreds who have written to me since I started to write my experiences. He asks me for an opinion about apprentices, their standard of riding, and what I think of young George Mulley, who is attached to Bailey Payten's stable. Mulley, to my mind, is a born horseman. You've only got to see the way he sits, but at the present time he is too light. I understand that no matter what this kid eats he never gets above the 5 stone mark, but, in my opinion, he will not be a success until he puts on weight. I have the greatest respect for J. Thompson. He is taller than I am, and for an apprentice is at a nice weight of seven stone odd. I have figured in a number of finishes with him, and he has impressed me. I like the style of young M. Wilson. Apart from his own ability, he is apprenticed to the old master, Bill Kelso. In the 'boss's' hands he should turn out a good rider, providing he looks after himself, keeps fit, and does what Mr. Kelso tells him. It's little wonder that George Young has shown ability. It's a case of like father, like son, I hope. His dad, George, who unfortunately has had to give up training, will always rank as one of the greatest horsemen in the history of the Australian turf. Because I admire his father, I am keenly interested in young George. I have watched him on the track particularly, and I have noticed that every horse goes kindly for him. Another lad I would like to mention is Frank Smith, who is apprenticed to Jack Phoenix. Frank is a vigorous little beggar, but is the same type as Mulley. He Is on the small side, and , and needs to put on some weight. When he does I think he will turn out a first class rider.

Munro on Russia 1946 Melbourne Cup

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ALLUNGA A DERBY WINNER

Allunga 1935 Derby finish

D

arby Munro rode some of our great stars of the turf. His list of stakes winners includes Peter Pan, Hydrogen, Shannon, Rogilla, Hall Mark and San Domenico.

Arguably one of the most underrated of all of Munro’s stars was the NSW champion, Allunga holds a special place in history being involved in one of only two dead heats in AJC Derby where he tied with Homer in 1935. The other was in 1919 when Artilleryman and Richmond Main could not be separated. Munro had a special affinity with the AJC Derby, winning the race on five occasions.

A

llunga was trained by Jack Munro, the lesser known brother of Jim and Darby.

He too had commenced his career as a jockey, but rising weight issues quickly curtailed his riding. Jack was granted a Permit to Train by the AJC in 1926 and it was not until August 1935 that he was given a Number 2 Trainer’s Licence. He took out stables at Warwick Farm and raced most of his horses on lease. Although winners were few, they were invariably well supported in the ring when they did salute usually with either Jim or Darby on board. During World War II, Jack left racing to become a hotelier at Cootamundra before later taking over a hotel in William Street in Sydney. Jack died in 1959, reportedly a troubled and disillusioned man.

A

llunga was to be by far his best performer and, it is fair to say, a rather unfashionably bred type. He was a son of the imported Inchaquire by Marten, a son of Marco. He had been bred in Ireland and was raced by his breeder Mr WW Ashe. He won two of his first five starts including the Goff Sale Stakes at The Curragh.

South Australian owner, George Milne then purchased the horse for 750 guineas, where he raced in Adelaide. Inchaquire was to run a series of second placings but never truly acclimatised to his new surroundings and was to break down before winning in Australia. South Australian breeders showed little interest in the stallion and he was eventually sold to Sir Sidney Kidman and his Fulham Park Stud. Shortly after, the 1919 Caulfield Cup winner Lucknow who had been on one of Kidman’s outback stations was to die and it was decide that Inchaquire would replace him. A stud groom at Fulham Park decided to cover some mares before he departed and one of those was to be the imported Heliope, a daughter of Beppo who Kidman

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Allunga Defeating Lough Neagh in the AJC Autumn Plate

had purchased for 220 guineas. Her first mating in Australia produced Byethorne

by Silvius who was to win the SA Tattersall’s Cup in 1938. Allunga, named from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘Sun,’ was her second foal and he was sent to the Sydney Yearling Sale in 1934. The colt was the last lot in the sale and the only one

by Inchaquire, and he was sold to Mr Oakes on behalf of the pastoralist Mr Hunter Bowman. Bowman was to lease the colt to Mark Mulligan and JT Williamson. In contrast, the joint winner, Homer by Iliad was the property of renowned owner, John Spencer Brunton whose family owned a large flour milling business and had been a prominent owner for over thirty years.

A

llunga started as second favourite for the AJC Derby and had first come to notice by winning the Fernhill Handicap in the Autumn over a mile. He resumed in the Spring to win a 3 and 4yo Handicap at Rosebery before running a close second behind Hadrian in the Rosehill Guineas. Curiously, Hadrian who won the Hobartville Stakes, Canterbury Guineas and Rosehill Guineas in bold front running performances had not been entered for the Derby. Trained by Bayly Payten, owned by Hunter White, and ridden by Darby Munro, Payten was convinced that the colt would not run out the distance. He was instead saved for the Caulfield Guineas where he again led but compounded quickly. Coincidentally, the Caulfield Guineas was won by Young Idea who had led in the AJC Derby before finishing fifth.

Darby Munro was to ride Young Idea when he won the 1937 Cox Plate. In the Derby, Young Idea battled for his head throughout the race and his jockey tried to kick clear of the field around 6 furlongs from home. Homer tackled the tiring Young Idea but Munro quickly joined him in the lead. Allunga was in front at the Leger under heavy riding from Darby but Homer fought back in a stirring finish that saw the pair unable to be separated.

T

aken to Victoria for the VRC Derby, Allunga was unlucky in the race. He went out second favourite behind Palfresco with Feldspar at 5/1 and Young Idea at 11/2. In a relatively roughly run affair, Young Idea stumbled around 1.5 furlongs out, dislodging his jockey Jack Pratt. Allunga, who had met with interference earlier in the race, was behind Young Idea when he had his misfortune, and Munro had to TURF MONTHLY 31

check around his heels, costing him an estimated length and a half. It may well have cost Allunga the race as he was beaten under a half-length by Feldspar in a time that equalled the record jointly held by Phar Lap and Hall Mark who Munro had ridden to win both Derbies in 1933.

A

llunga was to go on to run tenth in the Melbourne Cup of 1935 when ridden

by R. Parsons after Munro had been unable to make the weight of 7.6. The race was won by Marabou with the grand old campaigner Shadow King running fourth. Although not considered a genuine stayer, Allunga was to run in the next three Melbourne Cups. He finished fifteenth behind Wotan in 1936 before running fourth in the next two years, behind The Trump in 1937 and Catalogue in 1938.

Darby Munro was never to ride Allunga in the Cup. Allunga though was to have success in the AJC Plate over 18 furlongs during the season of 1937 where he had remarkable success. Despite Allunga winning a total of ten stakes races, Darby Munro only rode him on three of these occasions. Apart from the Derby, he won the AJC Plate which was the forerunner to the Queen Elizabeth, and the Warwick Stakes. In all, Allunga was to win over a dozen races and was regarded as one of his generation’s best stayers.

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ALLUNGA

A DIFFERENT TIME Saturday Evening Express (Launceston, Tas. : 1924 - 1954), Saturday 29 October 1938, page 14 Allunga's Fourth Attempt on Cup Allunga, who arrived in Melbourne his week to run in the Cup, is rapidly becoming the "'Shadow King" of the Cup field, as he will be making his fourth attempt to win that race. "Old Shadow" holds the record for Cup starts. He ran six times and was placed four times. Toryboy competed in five Melbourne Cups. He won in 1865, and is the only grey to win the big race. Perhaps one of the reasons why his owner started him five times was that when Toryboy won in ‘65 the first trophy given with the Cup was that particular year. No doubt his owner had plenty of space on the sideboard! Actually, the first Gold Cup given to the Melbourne Cup was in 1876, when that great filly Briseis won. Reverting to Allunga, although he will be the veteran of the Cup field as far as starts go, he will not be the oldest runner, as Catalogue, Queen of Song, and Aitchengee are all aged, whereas Allunga is six years. He ran as a three-year-old, four-year-old. and five-year-old.

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Sporting Globe (Melbourne, Vic: 1922 - 1954), Saturday 2 April 1938, page 1 ALLUNGA INJURED, FINISHES THIRD SYDNEY. Saturday.—Allunga, heavily backed for the Sydney Cup and coupled in Doncaster doubles, was knocked head over heels by Billy Boy when doing a preliminary for the Rawson Stakes at Randwick today. Starting in the race without a veterinary examination he flagged, ran third and returned bleeding freely from the mouth and nose. Allunga’s injuries are apparently not serious.

Allunga was odds-on favorite before he went out, and the accident switched support to Sarcherie, who duly won. Although his owners Messrs E Hunter Bowman and H Oakes stated they would not decide whether to run in the Cup until after a thorough examination of the horse on Tuesday. The course surgeon. Mr Roy Stewart, said he had little doubt that Allunga would be fit for the big race.

Jockey Fred Shean was thrown in the crash and Allunga, after struggling to his feet, galloped away up the chute where the mile a quarter event starts. He was caught by the clerk of the course, and after a few minutes’ delay Shean mounted and Allunga went quietly to the barrier. Allunga jumped away well but the slow pace did not suit him. Silver Standard acted as pacemaker, and half a mile from home was just ahead of Cathartes, Sarcherie, Billy Boy, Allunga and Old Rowley. Turning for home Sarcherie on the outside quickly settled Silver Standard and Cathartes, and she went on to win by two lengths from Cathartes. with Allunga, who, after making a forward move in the last furlong, dropped back after a few strides and mereIy plugged on to fill third position. As Allunga was passing the winning post it was noticed that he was bleeding.

For 10 minutes Allunga was hosed on the forehead, neck and mouth by the vet and was given a liquid mixture. Sarcherie’s victory this afternoon proves that this fine old mare can still gallop. She has 9.1 in the Sydney Cup, while Cathartes has only 7.3.

Allunga 1938 Melbourne Cup

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