Innehållsförteckning för April 2021 från Turf Monthly

Black Caviar is no doubt one the most identifiable thoroughbred in Australasia, if not the world, in recent times. Her victory in the Diamond Jubilee at Ascot was accompanied by international attention that was likely unrivalled by any Australian horse. Many claim her as the greatest ever, retiring as she did unbeaten from 25 starts. While this is truly a remarkable record, it speaks perhaps more about modern thoroughbred management, and dare we say, a lack in quality opposition, than it does about such claims. It is perhaps fair to suggest that her year was not the most outstanding crop of horses that Australia has produced. We can speculate whether the outbreak of Equine Influenza in the summer of 2007/08, when Black Caviar was a yearling had any influence on…

Heroic was one of the most regally bred of Australia’s early thoroughbreds. His sire Valais had won the 15 furlong Windsor Stakes in 1916 as a 3yo, and had ran fourth in the Derby run at Newmarket due to the war behind the filly, Fifinella. He stood one season in the UK before being purchased by William and Frederick Moses for their famed Arrowfield Stud. His first crop in Australia were born in 1920, but by April 1924, the Moses had dispersed their stock and Valais was sold to the Thompsons of Widden Stud for 14000 guineas, then an Australian record. The stallion was to tragically die in October 1927 but in this short time established himself as the greatest sire Australia had ever seen. His first crop included Quintus…

What would this time of year be without the annual William Inglis and Sons world renowned Easter yearling sale? The name Inglis has been synonymous with thoroughbred yearling sales in Sydney for over a century, but sometimes the people that built these wonderful institutions that have contributed so much to the industry do not get the recognition they deserve. This month we will look at some of the history of the company together with some of the horses that have gone through their sales ring and shaped the modern thoroughbred. William Inglis formed the company in 1867, and members of the Inglis family remain with the company to the current day. Originally the company sold farm equipment from its headquarters in George Street in Sydney. William’s original partner Joseph Butler…

Even as a foal, Heroic made a huge impression. Legend has it that leading vet TG Doyle inspected the son of Valais from Cheronese to make sure that he did not have wings on his feet. Bred by the Moses brothers at Arrowfield Stud, Heroic was an outstanding yearling and was purchased at the William Inglis and Sons sale at Newmarket for 1,300 guineas. The yearling was purchased by leading Victorian trainer, Cecil Godby who was a regular at the sales. He would inspect every yearling along with his secretary who would make copious notes on each. Godby would then add a valuation to every horse, and was expert at buying quality stock for relatively low prices. The Valais colt was different and it was anticipated that bidding would be…

Rain Lover is best known for his wins in the 1968 and 1969 Melbourne Cups. A quick look at his stakes wins proves that he was much more than a Melbourne Cup winner, and his record rates among the top horses in terms of versatility and longevity. In spite of a pedigree that is strongly influenced by stamina factors, the South Australian based horse won his first race at his fifth start as a 2yo, over the distance of a mile (1600m) at Morphettville. He really did not show his true potential until three, when he placed in the SA St Leger, and then won the Adelaide Cup at the same age. It was this win that underlined his quality, and he reinforced this later that same calendar year with…

This story starts on Wednesday 15 October 1924 and the running of the Coongy Handicap, a well-respected lead up for the Caulfield Cup. A field of 20 faced the starter, with Accarak the 9/2 favourite in a wide-open betting race. Feathernest was the second favourite at 8/1 with four horses including the eventual winner, Graculus rated at 10/1. Purser, owned by John Ramsay (Jack) Corteen and George Tye, trained by Cecil Temple Godby and ridden by Hugh Harold Cairns was a 20/1 chance. The first race of the day at Caulfield was run in heavy rain and the track was sodden. The meeting looked to be in some danger of not progressing, but fortunately a break in the weather saw the day proceed albeit on a heavy track. The fifth…

Heroic returned to racing for his new connections of owner Charles Kellow and trainer Jack Holt on 21 February 1925. He lined up in the wfa Futurity Stakes against a quality field that included The Hawk and The Night Patrol. He again showed poor barrier manners, holding up the start for some time before finishing fifth behind the upset winner, Father’s Voice who won by a head from The Hawk and Mercian Prince. These two were separated by an even smaller margin with The Night Patrol fourth. A week later Heroic lined up in the Essendon Stakes over 10 furlongs at Flemington. He was in a bad mood yet again, refusing to face the barrier for a considerable time. Heroic took the lead in the straight and looked to have…

Hua was among the best of Heroic’s sons and would have been considered a champion most likely in any other period. He was unlucky to face the great Ajax and another good colt in Avenger in his 3yo season in what was widely regarded as one of the best crops of that age. Hua was a good 2yo beating Caesar in the VRC Sires’ Produce with Sydney horse Ajax unplaced. On to Sydney and Ajax proved his class by downing Caesar in record time. Hua suffered interference in the run and was a tiring fifth. Ajax won the Champagne Stakes at their next start, with Hua finishing a good second underlying his bad luck in the Sires. Caesar this time was disappointing and finished out of the placings. By the…