Champion Australian & NZ Racehorses – ‘Egalitarian Extras’

Featured Image: Martello Towers & Taj Rossi

Acknowledge: ‘The Australian & New Zealand Thoroughbred’ by Ross du Bourg

Martello Towers (Gaekwar’s Pride* – Nidhauli by Nizami* ex Mumtaz Mahal)

Photo @ Tony Freebairn’s Haddow Stud, Lower Chittering, WA. Martello Towers prepotent genetic structure was very similar to that of champion Pakistan II*. (Melbourne Truth)

Taj Rossi (Matrice – Dark Queen by Coronation Boy*)

Australia’s “Racehorse of the Year” for 1973-74 returns to scale with Roy Higgins up after defeating Imagele, Nandalie Lass and Craig Win in the VATC Sandown Guineas (1600m) on 17 November 1973. Taj Rossi stood at Greg Morrison’s Pinecrest Stud, Garfield, Victoria in the spring of 1979. Taj Rossi stood at Lesley Coombs II’s Spendthrift Farm, Lexington, Kentucky in 1975 and 1976. (Simon Studios)

Champion Australian & NZ Racehorses – ‘Egalitarian Extras’

Featured Image: Begonia Belle & Triton

Acknowledge: ‘The Australian & New Zealand Thoroughbred’ by Ross du Bourg

Begonia Belle (Court Sentence* – Near Belle by Near Blue* by Nearco*)

One of Australia’s best sprinting mares in the 1960s @ Hilton Nicholas’ Shirley Park Stud, Woodend, Victoria in late November 1972 with her 2-week old Showdown* colt foal at foot. Purchased alter by T J Smith the colt races as ‘Pistols At Dawn’ and later stood at Mr K C Bushell’s ‘Clear Springs Stud’ at Cowra NSW in 1978. (Melbourne Truth)

Triton (Pakistan II* – Hauani by Davey Jones)

Champion ‘flashy’ NZ sprinter/miler at St John’s Lane Stud, Diggers Rest, Victoria in 1974. He died only 8 years old on 2 November 1975 (Douglas Reid)

Champion Australian & NZ Racehorses – ‘Egalitarian Extras’

Featured Image: Raffindale* & Gunsynd

Acknowledge: ‘The Australian & New Zealand Thoroughbred’ by Ross du Bourg

Raffindale* (Raffingora – Wharfedale by Wilwyn)

Returns to scale after running 2^nd. to ‘Family of Man’ in the $150,000 MVRC W. S. Cox Plate (2050m) on 22 October 1977. (Racetrack)

Gunsynd (Sunset Hue – Woodie Wonder by Newtown Wonder*)

Folk hero with Australian Racegoers in the early 1970s in his paddock @ Kia Ora Stud, Scone, NSW. Gunsynd had 54 starts for 29 wins and 21 minor placings for the then Australian Record of $280,455 in prizemoney. (Melbourne Truth)

Champion Australian & NZ Racehorses – ‘Egalitarian Extras’

Featured Image: Uncle Remus & Baguette

Acknowledge: ‘The Australian & New Zealand Thoroughbred’ by Ross du Bourg

Uncle Remus (Bandmaster II* – Tusitala by Talismano*)

NZ champion 3yo in 1977-78. Started 15 times for 13 wins, one second and one third for $NZ130,100 in stakes. Ten Stakes wins included ARC NZ Derby (2400m), CJC NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m), WRC Wellington Derby (2400m), WRC Wellington Guineas (1600m) and CJC Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m). (NZTBA)

Baguette (Rego* – Dark Jewel by Star Kingdom*)

Captured at the start of a race. Champion sprinter/miler covered his 8^th book of mares @ Kia Ora Stud in the spring of 1979 (Racetrack)

Rae ‘Togo’ Johnstone

Featured Image: Rae ‘Togo’ Johnstone in the Queen’s colousrs

Rae “Togo” Johnstone, full name William Raphael Johnstone (1905-1964).

See: https://www.newcastleracecourse.com.au/hall-of-fame-inductees-2021/

I’ve just discovered I have something in common with Rae ‘Togo’ Johnstone, arguably Australia’s greatest jockey export. Many would make a case for Arthur ‘Scobie’ Breasley.

Commonality? Both ‘Togo and myself are inductees into the Newcastle and Hunter Valley Racing Hall of Fame! Frankly, I don’t deserve it!

See also: Rae Togo Johnstone: International Jockey – Racing Hall Of Fame Member. Rae Togo Johnstone (progroupracing.com.au)

See also: Rae ‘Togo’ Johnstone | Racing Victoria

See also: Rae Johnstone – Wikipedia

See also: Great Aboriginal Jockeys : Australian Thoroughbred Racing Pedigree ServicesAustralian Thoroughbred Racing Pedigree Services (flavonebr.com)

Togo Johnstone achieved his first win in Sydney in 1920 at the age of 15. He rode successfully in Australia for a number of years, but repeated clashes with racing officials led him to try his luck abroad.

Travelling first to India, then England, he finally settled in France in 1934 which was to be the base for his remarkable career. In all he won more than 2,000 races in nine countries. His first classic win came in the 1934 Two Thousand Guineas, and was followed by a further 35 European classics – including three Epsom Derbies in 1948, 1950, and 1956.

Continue reading →

Breeding the Australian Racehorse

Douglas M. Barrie: Australia’s Horse Exports

Featured Image: ‘Noholme II’

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/the-star-kingdom-dynasty/

See also: http://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/noholme-ii-aus.html

See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noholme

See also: https://sporthorse-data.com/pedigree/noholme-ii

In the early years of settlement all TB breeding took place within the confined of the County of Cumberland. Thereafter it rapidly spread throughout the Continent.

See also: http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricDams/ColonFoundMares.html

See also: http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricSires/LeadingSires/AustLeadSires.html

See also: http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/racecharts/Australia/AusRaces.html

See also: https://www.kingsoftheturf.com/

Douglas M. Barrie’s The Australian Bloodhorse, first published in 1956, is a detailed and exhaustive study of the origins and history of the Australian Racehorse. The product of years of patient research and diligent study it provides an accurate and fascinating guide to thousands of our pure-bred horses since the beginning of settlement. The book fully encompasses and encapsulates the horse’s role in Australia’s development, overlanding, exploration, bushranging, romance, racing and at war.

By 1840 the ‘Thoroughbred Type’ may be said to have been fixed in Australia. The Arab influence steadily declined while the English thoroughbred was judged to be purer in type. Such was the importation of quality horses from the old world, and so favourable had the warm pastures of Australia proved, that by the 1840s thoroughbreds foaled and raised in Australia from sires and dams on Australian Studs were the equal in size, constitution and performance of their imported brethren.

‘Racehorses in Australia’ edited by Dr W H Lang, Ken Austin and Dr Stewart McKay was produced by Harry Julius and released in 1922. It includes paintings by Martin Stainforth. Chapter XI is entitled “How to Breed an Australian Horse”. It’s admirably succinct in making three major recommendations:

1. A sufficient area of suitable land
2. Shelter
3. Artificial Feeding

These are amplified in the text, but they underpin the fundamental philosophy. Adequate trace elements and minerals in the subsoil, notably Calcium, are cited. ‘Sheep and horses are like oil and water’. Clearly ‘early’ Australia was well placed to provide for the ‘equine commodity’.

Continue reading →

Breeding the Australian Racehorse

Douglas M. Barrie: Australia’s Horse Exports

Featured Image: ‘Bernborough’ & ‘Royal Gem’

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/the-star-kingdom-dynasty/

In the early years of settlement all TB breeding took place within the confined of the County of Cumberland. Thereafter it rapidly spread throughout the Continent.

See also: http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricDams/ColonFoundMares.html

See also: http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricSires/LeadingSires/AustLeadSires.html

See also: http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/racecharts/Australia/AusRaces.html

See also: https://www.kingsoftheturf.com/

Douglas M. Barrie’s The Australian Bloodhorse, first published in 1956, is a detailed and exhaustive study of the origins and history of the Australian Racehorse. The product of years of patient research and diligent study it provides an accurate and fascinating guide to thousands of our pure-bred horses since the beginning of settlement. The book fully encompasses and encapsulates the horse’s role in Australia’s development, overlanding, exploration, bushranging, romance, racing and at war.

By 1840 the ‘Thoroughbred Type’ may be said to have been fixed in Australia. The Arab influence steadily declined while the English thoroughbred was judged to be purer in type. Such was the importation of quality horses from the old world, and so favourable had the warm pastures of Australia proved, that by the 1840s thoroughbreds foaled and raised in Australia from sires and dams on Australian Studs were the equal in size, constitution and performance of their imported brethren.

Breeding the Australian Racehorse

Douglas M. Barrie: Australia’s Horse Exports

Featured Image: ‘Comic Court’ & ‘Abercorn’

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/the-star-kingdom-dynasty/

In the early years of settlement all TB breeding took place within the confined of the County of Cumberland. Thereafter it rapidly spread throughout the Continent.

See also: http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricDams/ColonFoundMares.html

See also: http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricSires/LeadingSires/AustLeadSires.html

See also: http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/racecharts/Australia/AusRaces.html

See also: https://www.kingsoftheturf.com/

Douglas M. Barrie’s The Australian Bloodhorse, first published in 1956, is a detailed and exhaustive study of the origins and history of the Australian Racehorse. The product of years of patient research and diligent study it provides an accurate and fascinating guide to thousands of our pure-bred horses since the beginning of settlement. The book fully encompasses and encapsulates the horse’s role in Australia’s development, overlanding, exploration, bushranging, romance, racing and at war.

By 1840 the ‘Thoroughbred Type’ may be said to have been fixed in Australia. The Arab influence steadily declined while the English thoroughbred was judged to be purer in type. Such was the importation of quality horses from the old world, and so favourable had the warm pastures of Australia proved, that by the 1840s thoroughbreds foaled and raised in Australia from sires and dams on Australian Studs were the equal in size, constitution and performance of their imported brethren.

Breeding the Australian Racehorse

Douglas M. Barrie: Famous Australian Racehorses

Featured Image: ‘Shannon’

In the early years of settlement all TB breeding took place within the confined of the County of Cumberland. Thereafter it rapidly spread throughout the Continent.

See also: http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricDams/ColonFoundMares.html

See also: http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricSires/LeadingSires/AustLeadSires.html

See also: http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/racecharts/Australia/AusRaces.html

See also: https://www.kingsoftheturf.com/

Douglas M. Barrie’s The Australian Bloodhorse, first published in 1956, is a detailed and exhaustive study of the origins and history of the Australian Racehorse. The product of years of patient research and diligent study it provides an accurate and fascinating guide to thousands of our pure-bred horses since the beginning of settlement. The book fully encompasses and encapsulates the horse’s role in Australia’s development, overlanding, exploration, bushranging, romance, racing and at war.

By 1840 the ‘Thoroughbred Type’ may be said to have been fixed in Australia. The Arab influence steadily declined while the English thoroughbred was judged to be purer in type. Such was the importation of quality horses from the old world, and so favourable had the warm pastures of Australia proved, that by the 1840s thoroughbreds foaled and raised in Australia from sires and dams on Australian Studs were the equal in size, constitution and performance of their imported brethren.

Breeding the Australian Racehorse

Douglas M. Barrie: Famous Australian Racehorses

Featured Image: ‘Carioca’ & ‘Hydrogen’

In the early years of settlement all TB breeding took place within the confined of the County of Cumberland. Thereafter it rapidly spread throughout the Continent.

See also: http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricDams/ColonFoundMares.html

See also: http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricSires/LeadingSires/AustLeadSires.html

See also: http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/racecharts/Australia/AusRaces.html

See also: https://www.kingsoftheturf.com/

Douglas M. Barrie’s The Australian Bloodhorse, first published in 1956, is a detailed and exhaustive study of the origins and history of the Australian Racehorse. The product of years of patient research and diligent study it provides an accurate and fascinating guide to thousands of our pure-bred horses since the beginning of settlement. The book fully encompasses and encapsulates the horse’s role in Australia’s development, overlanding, exploration, bushranging, romance, racing and at war.

By 1840 the ‘Thoroughbred Type’ may be said to have been fixed in Australia. The Arab influence steadily declined while the English thoroughbred was judged to be purer in type. Such was the importation of quality horses from the old world, and so favourable had the warm pastures of Australia proved, that by the 1840s thoroughbreds foaled and raised in Australia from sires and dams on Australian Studs were the equal in size, constitution and performance of their imported brethren.