HORSE PROFILE A-Z

ARCHER

Breeding: foaled 1856, Sire: William Tell, Dam: Maid of Oaks
Trainer: Etienne de Mestre
Winner of first Melbourne Cup

Archer was foaled in 1856 near Nowra, NSW. He was trained by prominent trainer Etienne de Mestre. To race in Melbourne Archer had to walk 500 miles as there as no rail link between Sydney and Melbourne. Archer has the privilege of being the winner of the first Melbourne Cup held in 1861.On the very next day he won the Melbourne Town Plate over two miles. Archer also won the second Melbourne Cup in 1862 by ten lengths with a weight of 10st 2lb, making him one of only four horses to win two Melbourne Cups. He won may races in Melbourne and Sydney.
He retired in 1865 due to an injury.

THE BARB

Breeding: foaled 1863, black colt, Sire: Sir Hercules, Dam: Fair Ellen
Owner: John Tait
Wins: 16

Foaled in 1863 near Bathurst, west of Sydney, The Barb was sold as a yearling for 200 guineas to John Tait a leading owner in NSW. The horse was highly strung and at his first appearance he threw off his rider and bolted. Because of behaviour like this The Barb became known as the "Black Demon". 
As a late two-year-old he had his first official race where he finished a strong third despite missing the start. The Barb won his next race the Nursery Stakes easily. Returning from a spell he won the 6th AJC Derby by two lengths. The Barb was the favourite in the 1866 Melbourne Cup and won by a short head. Two days later at the All Aged Stakes he played up at the start and finished second despite running strongly.
The Barb was one of the best horses in Australia winning 16 races from 23 starts, including the Sydney Cup in 1868 and 1869.
After he retired The Barb served stud duties but none of his descendants was as successful as he was.

TOBIN BRONZE

Breeding: colt foaled at Narrung Stud, SA
Owned and trained in South Australia, later USA

In the mid 1960s Tobin Bronze was an exceptional middle-distance and weight-for-age runner. He won four of his seven starts as a two-year-old. In 1965 as a three-year-old he came second in the Caulfield Guineas and first in the Victoria Derby. Tobin Bronze won a succession of major weight-for-age races in 1966 including the J.J. Liston Stakes, Craiglee Stakes, Underwood Stakes, Turnbull Stakes, Mackinnon Stakes and W.S. Cox Plate. In 1967 he again won the W.S. Cox Plate, as well as the Doncaster Handicap carrying 9st 5lb (59.5 kg.) and the Caulfield Cup against Red Handed carrying 9st 10lb (61.5 kg) .
Sold to the United States Tobin Bronze competed in the Washington Laurel International finishing an excellent third. Although he won further races in the United States, he never fully recaptured his Australian form.

CARBINE

Breeding: foaled 1886, bay colt, Sire: Musket, Dam: Mersey
Owner: Donald Wallace   Trainer: Walter Hickenbotham
Wins: 33

Carbine was foaled in New Zealand in 1885. Mr Dan O'Brien bought the bay colt as a yearling and named him Carbine. He won his first race easily despite missing the start. As a two year old he won all of his five starts. Carbine was sent to Australia in the spring of 1888 but he was beaten at his first start in the Victoria Derby. He won his next two starts. 
Mr O'Brien sold Carbine to Mr Donald Wallace for 3,000 guineas who sent the colt to Walter Hickenbotham a top trainer. Carbine won seven of his remaining ten starts as a three year old including the 1889 Sydney Cup, the All-Aged Plate over one mile the very next day and in the same afternoon the Cumberland Stakes over two miles, after dropping out to last when he almost fell five furlongs from home. Carbine became a racing idol and was known as "Old Jack". In the spring Carbine split a heel and achieved only placings in the Caulfield Stakes and in the Melbourne Stakes. In 1889 he came second in the Melbourne Cup carrying 10st. For the only time in his career Carbine missed a place at his next start. In the Autumn of 1890 he returned from an injury  with a first-up win, followed by a third place in the Austalasian Champion Stakes. Carbine won his next 15 races starting with the VRC All-Aged Stakes, followed by a win the same afternoon over 2 miles, he went on winning the Sydney Cup with 9st 9lb and the AJC Plate. Returning from a spell Carbine won three races followed by the 1890 Melbourne Cup winning by 2.5 lengths carrying 10st 5lb.
In the Spring of 1891 Carbine retired having raced 43 times for 33 wins, 6 seconds and 3 thirds. In Bacchus Marsh, Victoria Carbine stood for four seasons. In his first season he sire Wallace, a classic winner. In 1895 Carbine was sold to stand with the great St Simon at the Duke of Portland's Welbeck Abbey Stud. Carbine's greatest son was Spearmint, winner of the 1906 English Derby.

DULCIFY

Breeding: foaled 1975, bay gelding, Sire: Decies, Dam: Sweet Candy
Trainer: Colin Hayes
Wins: 10

In his short career Dulcify won 10 races from 21 starts. At his sixth start he won the VRC Derby. Returning from a spell Dulcify won the VRC Cup galloping from the back of the field to finish before Manikato and the Family Man. Next he won the STC Rosehill Stakes and was beaten in the weight-for-age STC Tancred Stakes. Dulcify won the AJC Derby, his last race as a three-year-old when jockey Brent Thomson successfully protested against Double Century who came in first.
Dulcify finished unplaced in the spring of 1979 over 5 furlongs. He won the VRC Craiglee Stakes over one mile, came third on a rain-affected track in the Underwood Stakes and finished first in the VRC Turnball Stakes. Dulcify ran brilliantly in the WS Cox Plate leaping to the front on the home turn winning by 7 lengths. He also won his next start the McKinnon Stakes. Four days later Dulcify was the favourite horse in the Melbourne Cup. He was galloped on from behind by Hyperno who won the race. Dulcify had suffered a broken pelvis. Jockey Brent Thomson pulled him up when he came into the straight. Colin Hayes was seen to comfort his champion who could not be saved while the winner returned to applause.

GLOAMING

Breeding: foaled 1915, Sire: The Welkin, Dam: Light
Owner: E E C Clarke   Trainer: Dick Mason
Wins: 57

Gloaming was bred at a Melton Stud, Victoria by E E C Clarke. He was bought for 230 guineas by G D Greenwood. Because he developed a shin soreness Gloaming did not race as a two-year-old. His remarkable career started in 1918 when he won his first race as a three-year-old the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick. Gloaming won the AJC Derby, New Zealand Derby and the Northern Derby as well as numerous weight-for-age races. In 1922 he had many clashes with his rival Beauford. Gloaming was beaten by 3/4 length by Beauford in the Chelmsford Stakes but he won the Hill Stakes by 1.25 lengths. At their next meeting Beauford took the Spring Stakes and Gloaming won their last encounter the Craven Plate by 3 lengths. In 1925 Gloaming ran his last race the Ormond Gold Cup at Hastings against The Hawk winning by 1 length.
Gloaming raced from 1918 to 1925, out of 67 starts he achieved 57 wins and 9 seconds. He was unplaced once in the North Island Challenge Stakes when he was thrown down at barrier rise. As a nine-year-old he won eight of his ten races. His victories are unequalled on Australian turf. Gloaming retired from racing in 1925.

HEROIC

Breeding: colt foaled at Arrowfield Stud, NSW
Owned and trained in Victoria
Wins: 21

Heroic was one of the great race horses of his time winning 21 races at distances from five furlongs to two miles. He won his first race in 1923, the AJC Breeders’ Plate, adding the Gwyn Nursery, Maribyrnong Plate, Alma Stakes, Ascot Vale Stakes and Champagne Stakes to this very successful two-year-old season. At the age of three Heroic won the Chelmsford Stakes beating Gloaming, the AJC Derby and the Caulfield Guineas. As a four-year-old he added the Memsie Stakes, the Caulfield Stakes and the Newmarket Handicap to his record. In the spring of 1926 and the autumn of 1927 Heroic competed against the best horses in the country winning six major races including the W.S. Cox Plate. He easily won the King’s Plate over 2 miles.
Heroic was also an outstanding success when he was retired to stud, becoming Australia’s leading sire for seven seasons in succession, 1932 to 1939. His progeny included Hall Mark, Nuffield, Leila Vale, Valiant Chief, The Marne, Pure Gold, Hua, Ajax and the champion mare, Flight.

MALUA

Breeding: colt foaled in 1979 at Calstock Stud, Tasmania
Owned and trained in Victoria   Owner: J.O.Inglis  Jockey-Jumping: J.O.Inglis

Malua was a champion galloper racing from three and a half furlongs to three and a quarter miles against many great horses. He won his first major race the Newmarket Handicap in 1884 in record time, from a field of 31 horses. Malua won the first Oakleigh Plate carrying 9st7lb (60.5 kg). After traveling to South Australia he won the Adelaide Cup over 13 furlongs. In the spring of 1884 Malua added the AJC Spring Stakes, the Melbourne Stakes (later Mackinnon Stakes), and the Melbourne Cup to his record. Just two days later, he came second by a head in the Flying Stakes over 6 furlongs. Malua won the Australian Cup over two and a quarter miles a six year old.
In 1888 with his owner in the saddle Malua won the VRC Grand National Hurdle over 3 miles carrying 11st 7lb (73 kg). In his last race as a ten-year-old in 1889, Malua won the Geelong Cup.
Malua passed his strength and talent on to his sons Malvolio winner of the 1891 Melbourne Cup and Ingliston winner of the 1901 Caulfield Cup.

MANIKATO

Breeding: foaled 1975, chestnut colt, Sire: Manihi, Dam: Markato
Trainers: Bob and Bon Hoysted   Jockeys: Garry Willetts, Roy Higgins Garry
Wins: 29   Earnings: $1,154,210

Manikato was a big gelding and the premier sprinter of his time. He showed his great racing ability right from the start of his career. First trained by Bon Hoysted and later by his brother Bob Manikato won 29 races of his 47 starts and was second nine times. He won 12 Group 1 races, an amazing five successive William Reid Stakes and four Futurity Stakes bringing his earnings to $1,154,210.
The Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley was named in honour of Manikato and is run annually.

PETER PAN

Breeding: foaled 1929, chestnut colt, Sire: Pantheon, Dam: Alwina
Owner: R R Dangar
Wins: 22 1/2

Peter Pan was bread by R R Dangar. He was a tall, beautiful horse with a light chestnut colour and a sliver mane and tail. He began his career as a two-year-old having one unsuccessful start. He dead-heated at his first start as a three-year-old in a Novice Maiden race at Warwick Farm. In 1932 Peter Pan won the Hill Stakes and the AJC Derby. He finished fourth in the Caulfield Cup and went on winning the Melbourne Stakes and the Melbourne Cup despite almost falling during the race. Returning from a spell he won the Randwick Stakes, the AJC St Leger, the Cumberland Plate and the AJC Plate.
As a four-year-old Peter Pan suffered from a rheumatic condition racing only six times but still winning the Autumn Plate and the Cumberland Plate. He continued his victories as a five-year-old in 1934 again winning the Melbourne Stakes and the Melbourne Cup carrying 9st 10 lb. Peter Pan also won many weight-for-age races. As a six-year-old he had another attempt in the 1935 Melbourne Cup but finished unplaced.
Peter Pan had 38 starts for 22 1/2 wins, 6 seconds and 1 third. Throughout his career he carried Mr. Dangar's colours.
At stud the serviced mostly Mr Dangar's mares and sired Precept, winner of the VRC Derby and Peter winner of the Williamstown Cup.

RISING FAST (NZ)

Breeding: colt foaled 1949, New Zealand, Sire: Alonzo (GB), Dam: Faser (NZ)
Trainers: Ivan Tucker, Fred Hoystad   Jockeys: Jack Purtell, Bill Williamson
Starts: 66   Earnings: $135,530

Rising Fast was one of the greatest gallopers ever to race in Australia. In 1954 he won seven successive races including five Group 1races. Rising Fast became the only horse to win the Caulfield Cup, the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup in the same year.

VAIN

Breeding: colt foaled at Stockwell Stud, Victoria
Owned and trained in Victoria

Vain started his spectacular career as one of Australia’s greatest sprinters as a two-year-old. In Melbourne in 1968 he won the Debutant Stakes and Maribyrnong Plate in spring and the Merson Cooper Stakes and Sires’ Produce Stakes in the autumn.
In Sydney Vain won the Golden Slipper Stakes by four length. Beaten at his next start in the AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes, Vain claimed victory by 10 lengths in the Champagne Stakes in the fastest 6 furlongs ever recorded by a two-year-old. In the spring of 1969 he won the Freeway Stakes and Caulfield Guineas. Vain achieved his greatest success at the Flemington Carnival winning the Craven A Stakes by 12 lengths on Derby Day, the Linlithgow Stakes by six lengths in record time on Oaks Day and the George Adams Handicap on Final Day.
In January 1969 Vain retired to stud because of an injury to a fetlock. There he sired 370 winners including two Golden Slipper winners, Inspired (1984) and Sir Dapper (1983).

WAKEFUL

Breeding: foaled 1896, Sire: Trenton, Dam: Insomnia
Trainer: Hugh Munro   Jockey: Frank Dunn

Wakeful began her racing career as a four-year-old. At her third start she won the Oakleigh Plate followed by the Newmarket Handicap and the Doncaster. She finished third in the Sydney Cup. Later she won the same race carrying 60.5 kilograms, a record weight for a mare. In 1903 she finished second in the Melbourne Cup carrying 63.5 kilograms. She also won 19 weight-for-age races.
Wakeful was unplaced in only 3 of her 44 starts. She showed great courage carrying enormous weights to victory.