The featured image shows Betty Shepherd doing what she loves and does best: preparing young thoroughbreds for races and the sale ring. This photo was taken at the White Park Sales in Scone in May shortly after Betty had returned from her pioneering Victorian Cups foray in 1966.

I have taken the liberty of reproducing a seminal account to celebrate a number of significant milestones about 12 months ago leading up to the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups in 2016. I also adduce the opening of the new iteration Thoroughbred Hotel reported elsewhere in this blog site. Last night on the evening of Monday 2nd October 2017 I visited the Thoroughbred to mark my own arrival in Australia as an assisted passage migrant exactly 50 years ago to the day/date/time (Monday 2nd October 1967). I arrived in Scone one day later 03/10/1967; which is 50 years exactly as I write this report.

Betty Shepherd has been an integral part of my professional and social life in Scone. Her story is well known and is repeated here. Less well known were the vicissitudes of the campaign for equal rights for women in the theatre of thoroughbred racing. I have added a synopsis written by my very good friend Ray Alexander; ex-Secretary of the Australian Jockey Club (AJC) now carrying the title CEO or General Manager.

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The featured image shows Dr Judy White AM PhD; 1996 Atlanta Olympian Nikki Bishop and 1964 Tokyo Olympian Bridget ‘Bud’ Macintyre. Interestingly Bud shared a billet in Tokyo with Dawn Fraser and Betty Cuthbert.

This is all part of the bigger picture. Scone and the Upper Hunter has produced many outstanding horsemen and women. Some have made the Olympic arena. My spouse Sarah and I were proud to sponsor the the event reported below. I duly acknowledge the article which appeared in the Scone Advocate. The link is included. Other Olympians include the incomparable Laurie Morgan (“Too Tough to Lose”: Warwick Morgan), Brien Cobcroft and the Oatley/Nist cousins from Muswellbrook.

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During spring an old man’s fancy turns to what? Memories; that’s what!

Continuing my Melbourne Cup theme I wanted to feature another local legend. I unashamedly reproduce and recycle the attached from the now defunct Muswellbrook Shire Hall of Fame. I think Wayne Harris might have been the first and only inductee? At least Muswellbrook had one; we don’t! Wayne never actually rode a winner for me. He did run second on a filly called Leith Walk. He was distraught at not winning. The reality was she wouldn’t have run a place without Wayne’s exquisite skill. Wayne was a great favourite of Bert Lillye who I featured earlier in my ‘Blog’.

The featured image shows Wayne returning to scale after a win at Skellatar Park, Muswellbrook on ‘Hoedown’ for master Pat Farrell. Wayne also won a Scone Cup on ‘Hoedown’. His mother was a co-owner.

See also:

Wayne Harris II

See also: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/racing/melbourne-cupwinning-jockey-wayne-harris-i-just-get-moody-on-cup-day-20141029-11dg5r.html

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wayne-Harris.pdf

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Well-known Scone identities Bill Howey and Betty Shepherd officially “open” The Thoroughbred

30 Jun 2017, 7:04 p.m.

WHILE the bakery at The Thoroughbred kicked off a few weeks ago, the venue was “officially opened” by local identities Bill Howey and Betty Shepherd last weekend.

Enjoy a night out.

WHILE the bakery at The Thoroughbred kicked off a few weeks ago, the venue was “officially opened” by local identities Bill Howey and Betty Shepherd last weekend.

Launched at a small function to thank everyone who had been involved with the project throughout its development, it was declared an honour to have these two special people to officially open the venue.

Mrs Shepherd, known as the first female trainer in Australia and possibly the world, is well-represented throughout the building, courtesy of various images taken in her training days at White Park.

Local historian Mr Howey has had a huge amount of input into the history and memorabilia that has been fitted in The Thoroughbred.

His knowledge of the local thoroughbred racing and breeding industry is impeccable, with his book A History of Thoroughbred Breeding in the Hunter Valley being the base to what is on display throughout the venue.

Mr Howey, in true form to character, shared a few fascinating tales of the “old days” at The Thoroughbred in his opening speech, including acknowledging that it was where he actually made his social debut almost exactly 50 years ago.

He also recognised the success of the contribution that has been made to the area through the documentation of memorabilia throughout the building.

With the venue “officially declared open”, The Thoroughbred extends its trade to lunch and dinner, along with the opening of its bar this weekend, with plans to launch the full restaurant menu in a few more weeks.

“So far the support by the locals has been fantastic,” says owner Peter Allen.

“We are delighted to finally have our doors open and are looking forward to be able to offer our other elements of the venue over the coming weeks.”

In the words of Mr Howey’s opening speech: “Notwithstanding the vagaries of history, it’s a consummate honour for me to declare: ‘Go kindly. Travel safely. Tread warily. Above all tarry, stay a while, experience, savour, succour and enjoy’.”

“The new iteration Thoroughbred: Where Champions Meet is now officially open.”

Colloquium of Cups 2010

The featured image above shows the Mayor of the Upper Hunter Shire’s three year old granddaughter Jemima Presland providing ‘security’ for the five (5) Melbourne Cups we assembled to mark the occasion described below. The VRC thought this might be a first? Their publicity personnel specifically requested this photograph.

Emirates Melbourne Cup 2010 (left front)            Poitrel Cup 1920 (without plinth)

Rimfire (1948)    Evening Peal (1956)         Kensei (1987)

Every year when spring is sprung the Melbourne Cup cannot be far away. Recent tradition by the VRC has sent the current ‘new’ pre-Melbourne Cup on a promotional tour each calendar year encompassing the globe. It’s an excellent innovation and a magical marketing sales pitch. It brings the concept and unique culture of the ‘Cup’ to every tiny corner of the Commonwealth and even high profile International racing institutions in Hong Kong, Singapore and even Royal Ascot.

In 2010 we held the seminal event in Scone. It was fortuitous (for me) that I was then an elected Councillor on the Upper Hunter Shire Council. The VRC offered the hosting of the Cup to us. It was a ‘given’. Because of my long term social and professional involvement with the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry I was handed the ‘nod’ as the facilitator and organiser. In the event it was choice chalice. I had to call up some personal favours. I/we were able to produce five (5) Melbourne Cups in total. We even had the celebration of half-a-cup; I will explain shortly. Tim Moses from ‘Tralee’, Inverell brought the 1920 Cup won by ‘Poitrel’ secured in a hessian sack under the passenger seat in his horse-box utility. His direct ancestors W & F A Moses of ‘Arrowfield’, Jerrys Plains bred and owned the stallion which later stood at Widden. Miss Anne Raymond from ‘Sledmere Stud’ loaned her 1948 cup won by her father’s horse ‘Rimfire’. ‘Evening Peal’ by Delville Wood (Kia Ora Stud) won in 1956 when owned and bred by Mr & Mrs Rex White. Rex White was on the AJC Committee. His daughter Belinda Nixon, ‘Okehampton’, Manila lent this cup together with the full set of racing plates worn by the winner in Cup Day. Russ Lazarus was a local stud master from ‘Sutton Farm’ who retained the cup won in 1987 by ‘Kensei’ which he co-owned. The fifth cup was brought by the VRC entourage to be won in 2010 by ‘Americain’ about three short weeks later. The half-a-cup was the identical small replica presented to George and Felicity Fraser of ‘Ilala Stud’; the breeders of ‘Shocking’ successful in 2009.

We greeted the official delegation from the VRC who arrived by small plane from Condobolin on a diabolical morning of foul weather on Friday 15^th October 2010. They were an eclectic selection. Charming VRC Committee person Amanda Elliott (now Chairperson) headed the troupe. Ex-Chief Stipendiary Steward Des Gleeson was ‘Official Ambassador’. PR personnel completed the cast. Protocol demanded an appropriate ceremony at the UHSC Chambers. It went off with panache. The Mayors’ speech is included below. The cup then made a journey to the Scott Memorial Hospital, Strathearn Village Aged Care Facility and by special request to Belltrees Public School. The latter is situated on the famous ‘Belltrees Station’ owned by the White Family. The Hon James White won the Melbourne Cup in 1977 (‘Chester’) and 1883 (‘Martini-Henry’). Current matriarch Dr Judy White AM PhD has a direct family connection to ‘Archer’ (1961, 1862) and Etienne De Mestre.

When all formalities were completed much later that day the cup left by the same small aircraft to be greeted at Port Macquarie by ex-AJC and Racing Australian Chairman Bob Charley. It would be true to claim that a GREAT day was had by all.

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