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 stolen by bushrangers but survived this ordeal unharmed. As a yearling he was sold for 200 guineas to John Tait a leading owner/trainer in NSW. The horse was highly strung and at his first appearance he threw off his rider and bolted. Because of such behaviour 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 defeating the Victorian champion Fishhook. Returning from a spell he won the 6th AJC Derby in record time 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. He is regarded as Australia's first champion racehorse.
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 7lb.
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.

CHATHAM

Breeding: colt, foaled at Kia-Ora Stud NSW

Chatham was bred at the Kia Ora stud in New South Wales and first attracted attention in the spring of 1931 as a three-year-old when he ran second in the Victoria Derby and second in the W.S.Cox Plate.
In the following year Chatham proved to be one of the finest ‘milers' ever produced in Australia scoring in 12 of his 21 starts.
Chatham was a true champion and became one of Australia's best horses in the inter-war period due to his ability to carry heavy weights under handicap conditions and at the same time to compete successfully at weight-for-age races.
In 1931 Chatham came second behind Phar Lap in the W.S. Cox Plate and won that race in 1932 and 1934. In 1932 and 1933 Chamham won the Epsom Handicap, in 1934 the Doncaster Handicap, three Craven Plates, one Rawson Stakes, two Linlithgow Stakes, one All-Aged Stakes and one Caulfield Stakes.

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.

EURYTHMIC
Eurythmic (1918 ­1922) . Eurythmic was purchased a s a yearling for a mere 310 guineas at the Sydney Sales. He brought for Ernest Lee Steere, a name well remembered in WA racing, and did his early racing in that State
Bred in New South Wales Owned in Western Australia Trained in Western Australia and Victoria
Eurythmic was bred in New South Wales and purchased by the Chairman of the West Australian Turf Club, Ernest Lee Steere, at the Sydney yearling sales of 1918.
He took his name from a Greek word meaning ‘harmonious rhythm', but his galloping action was anything but harmonious - his off foreleg moved in a swinging action, endangering himself and other horses.
As a two and three-year-old in Perth, Eurythmic registered 10 wins from 14 starts, including the Western Australian Derby and the Perth Cup. Sent to Melbourne as a four-year-old, he was consigned to Victoria's premier trainer, Jack Holt. In a stellar season he had 12 wins from 13 starts, including victories in the Caulfield Cup and Sydney Cup. His only defeat came when he ran fourth to Poitrel in the 1920 Melbourne Cup, a result which he reversed when he beat Poitrel in the C.B. Fisher Plate 4 days later.
As a five-year-old, Eurythmic had a further seven wins from 12 starts. His versatility and brilliance was seen in his win in the 1922 Futurity Stakes, when he carried a record 10st. 7lb. (66.5 kg.), and passed Carbine as the greatest Australian stakewinner to that time.
At his retirement as a six-year-old, Eurythmic had accumulated 31 wins, and 10 second and third placings, from 47 starts. He had well earned his name of “the best from the west”.

GALILEE
Breeding: foaled 1965 at Trelawney Stud, New Zealand, Sire: Alcimedes
Owner: Mr and Mrs M L Bailey    Trainer: Bart Cummings
Wins: 18
Galilee (1965-1969)
Born in New Zealand Galilee was owned and trained in South Austalia by young trainer Bart Cummings. Galilee did not race as a 2 year-old

> > 36 starts, 18 wins, 6 seconds, 4 thirds: $169930 > > and his first win was as a 3yo at Cheltenham > at the end of October 1965. His first important wins were in March the > following year when the young gelding won both the one-mile City of > Adelaide > Handicap and the 10-furlong Birthday Cup.
Bred in New Zealand (Trelawney Stud) Owned and trained in South Australia
Bred at Trelawney Stud, New Zealand, in 1963, Galilee was sent to the young South Australian trainer, Bart Cummings.
After only one start as a two-year-old, he proved his worth by winning seven of his eleven starts as a three-year-old in South Australia. As a four-year-old in 1966 his greatness became apparent. After a second in the Epsom Handicap, he won the Toorak Handicap, followed by a decisive win in the Caulfield Cup and a magnificent win in the Melbourne Cup, easing down by two lengths. On the final day he completed a triumphant spring carnival by defeating Tobin Bronze at weight-for-age in the C.B.Fisher Plate.
In the autumn of 1967, Galilee successively won the Queen's Plate and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Melbourne, the AJC Autumn Stakes and the Sydney Cup. Starting a 6-4 on favourite and carrying 9st 7lbs (60.5kg), he won the Cup by six lengths in what was considered one of the finest staying performances ever seen in Australia.
Soon after, Galilee developed a foreleg splint that sidelined him for 17 months. In the spring of 1968 he returned with wins in the Memsie and Turnbull Stakes, and ran a gallant eighth in the Melbourne Cup under a crushing 64kg. He was retired in 1969.

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 of New Zealand. Because he developed a shin soreness Gloaming did not race as a two-year-old.
His remarkable career on both sides of the Tasman Sea, which he crossed 15 times, 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 his head became entangled and he was thrown down at barrier stands taking no part in the race. 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.

GUNSYND
Bred in New South Wales, Owned in Queensland Trained in Queensland and New South Wales
Gunsynd was one of the most courageous and charismatic horses to race in Australia. He loved the crowds and the crowds loved him.
Gunsynd was bred in northern New South Wales, and bought for $1,300 by a group of friends from the Queensland border town of Goondiwindi – which forever put that town on the map and earned for the horse the affectionate nickname of the “Goondiwindi Grey”. Under trainer Bill Wehlow, Gunsynd won his first three starts in Brisbane and his first start at Warwick Farm, ran sixth in the 1970 Golden Slipper, and a week later won the Fernhill Handicap.
In his three-year-old preparation, Gunsynd won twice in Queensland before being placed in the Rosehill Guineas, the AJC Derby and the Queensland Derby. His last start for trainer Wehlow was as a four-year-old when he won the Doomben Flying Handicap.
Transferred to trainer Tommy Smith, Gunsynd realised his full potential. Under Smith Gunsynd had 32 starts for 17 victories and only one unplaced run. In the spring of 1971 he won the Epsom Handicap, the Toorak Handicap, the George Adams Handicap and the Sandown Cup. In the autumn of 1972 he recorded 5 straight wins including the Futurity Stakes and the Doncaster Handicap. In the spring of 1972 he captured the Cox Plate, ran a magnificent third in the Melbourne Cup under 60.5 kgs, and won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. In his final campaign in the autumn of 1973 he won the Blamey Stakes and a second Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
On his retirement Gunsynd had 29 wins from 54 starts, with the then Australian record prizemoney of $280,455.

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.

TODMAN
Todman (1956-1960) Todman was owned by Stanley Wootton and trained by Maurice McCarten. He was ridden in all his races by Neville Sellwood. His brief but brilliant career was punctuated by a long absent from the racetrack after he broke a sesamoid bone. After this absence he returned to more glory but was then retired early to be saved for an excellent stud career. Todman started 12 times for 10 wins and 1 second. He started favourite in every race he ran in and all but once he started at odds-on. Todman¹s career started on December 22, 1956. He was entered in the 2yo 5 furlong December Juvenile Handicap. It was a high-class field and before describing the race it is worth while to look more closely at two of Todman¹s opposition that day.
Bred in New South Wales (Baramul Stud) Owned and trained in New South Wales
Another flying son of Star Kingdom , Todman was one of the great sprinter-milers to grace the Australian turf.
On his debut as a two-year-old in 1956, Todman ran an Australian record for five furlongs in winning the Juvenile Stakes. He won his next two starts with great brilliance and was then set for the inaugural running of the Golden Slipper Stakes. Starting at 6-1 on, he bolted in by eight lengths. Although beaten by Tulloch a week later in the Sires' Produce Stakes, he reversed the position the next week in the Champagne Stakes when defeating Tulloch by six lengths.
In 1957 Todman resumed with wins in the Hobartville Stakes and the Canterbury Guineas. At his next start he broke down badly, and was off the track for two years.
His return to racing in 1959 was a triumph with wins in the Lightning Stakes and the Futurity Stakes carrying 10st 2lb (64.5 kg.).
Todman had won 10 of his 12 starts when he was retired to stud. He was a highly successful sire with two of his progeny, Eskimo Prince (1964) and Sweet Embrace (1967) winning Golden Slippers.

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).

WAKEFULL

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

Wakefull 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.
Wakefull was unplaced in only 3 of her 44 starts. She showed great courage carrying enormous weights to victory.