Heroic (1921)

Featured Image from a painting by Martin Stainforth held by the VRC.

See also: https://kingsoftheturf.com/1924-cecil-godby-jack-corteen-and-heroic/ 

Ian Ibbett has as usual related the tale superbly in his own inimitable style. (See above). My good friend Bill Moses and grandson of F A (‘Fred’) Moses, now 87, fondly recalls the good old days at ‘Combadello’ with palpable relish.

Until ‘Danehill’ (Imp.) came along the stallion to hold the record for the most times (7) as Champion Sire was ‘Heroic’. He achieved this outstanding feat in seven successive years 1932/33 – 1938/39). Bred by W & F A Moses at Arrowfield Heroic had been an outstanding race horse after fetching the top price of 1800 guineas at the Inglis’ Yearling Sales in 1923. He was by the Moses’ successful staying stallion ‘Valais’ (imp.) who topped the sires’ list on five successive occasions. His dam was Chersonese (GB). His pedigree featured a close up double cross of Cyllene.

Heroic proved to be an outstanding racehorse with 51 starts for 21 wins, 11 seconds and 4 thirds totalling £38,062 in prizemoney. In 4 racing seasons (1923/24 – 1926/27) he won 15 ‘major (group) races’ between 5 furlongs and 2 miles. ‘Heroic’ was leased by his then owner Charles Kellow to Herbert Thompson to stand at ‘Tarwyn Park’ Stud, Bylong Valley near Rylstone. Among his outstanding offspring were Ajax, Hall Mark, Hua, Heroic Prince, Nuffield and Valiant Chief. Heroic was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2003.