Poseidon*

Bay Horse, 1903, Bred in Australia; Positano* – Jacinth

Featured Image from a painting of the horse aged in ‘Notable Australian Thoroughbreds’.

Poseidon was bred by Mr R H Dangar at Neotsfield, Singleton, NSW. His sire ‘Positano’ (imp) won fame in Australia as the sire of four Melbourne Cup winners: Lord Cardigan (1903); Poseidon (1906); Lord Nolan (1908) and Piastre (1912). Mr Dangar sold Neotsfield in 1904 and ‘Jacinth’ was acquired for 400 guineas by W & F A Moses of Arrowfield Stud, Jerrys Plains. Sold by them for 500 guineas as a yearling the colt was purchased by Mr Hugh Dixon who changed his name be deed poll to Hugh Denison to avoid family disapprobation of his racing exploits.  He was later knighted as Sir Hugh Denison. He featured in the ownership of Sledmere Stud at Scone.

Poseidon enjoyed a stratospheric racing career starting 33 times in four seasons for 19 wins, 4 seconds, 2 ½ thirds and 7 unplaced runs. He amassed the then impressive total of £19,469 stakes won. He was described as ‘the best three year old in Australian Racing History’ with wins in the 1906-07 season(s) including the Caulfield & Melbourne Cups plus the VRC and AJC Derbies & St Legers.

Hugh Denison retired Poseidon to his Eumarella Stud at Gulgong where he was a moderate success. He sired Telecles  (Moonee Valley Cup), Rascasse (Queensland Derby) and Old Mungindi (Grand national Steeplechase). The stallion died aged 26 at Kialgara, Combara, NSW.