RACING IN NEW SOUTH WALES 



By FRANK WILKINSON (MARTINDALE) 



HE early history of racing in New South Wales is somewhat obscure 

 owing to the extreme reticence of the State's first journals. 



T 



M The first newspaper published in New South Wales was the 



"Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser," which made its 



appearance on March 5 th, 1803. There was no competition, and 



thus the recognition of good new^s depended on the inclination of a single 



office staff. 



The first sporting note published in the "Gazette" was relative to a 

 cockfight which took place in the village of Parramatta in September, 1 804. 

 It w^as not until April 30, 1810, that any mention of racing was made. Six 

 years later the "Gazette" of May 5th records a match at Parramatta on 

 April 5th. Even in this first notice there are indications given of previous 

 matches, and a considerable amount of fame attributed to some of the 

 performers. 



The report is interesting: — 



The following express from a correspondent at Parramatta. 

 We acknowledge its receipt by its insertion. The annals of this 

 country have never been able to record such outre pastimes 

 — such feats of humour and fun so congenial to the spirit and 

 temper of Englishmen as this day has produced in the village of 

 Parramatta. The sport commenced w^ith a race betw^een the 

 celebrated horse Parramatta and the b.h. Belfast, which was 

 won by the former. A trotting race succeeded, w^hen the famous 

 mare Miss Betty was victorious, going over the ground in a style 

 scarcely to be surpassed by some of the first trotters in England. 

 On these matches, bets to a considerable amount were pending. 



When these animals had retired from the field, the old but 

 not very humane or merciful custom of cockfighting was intro- 

 duced, and a main of cocks was fought, the chances of which were 

 for a long time precarious until at length death decided the victory, 

 and the survivor was borne off triumphant. Then succeeded 

 the motley mirth of footracing, wheelbarrow races, or rather 

 stumbling, for the heroes who had charge of these wooden 

 conveyances were blindfolded to give them a fairer chance of 

 effecting by accident that which they had no visible means of 

 doing. Jumping in sacks came next in order, and a venerable 

 host gave the calculated complement of calico for a "chemise" 

 to be run for by three vestals of the current order. This was a 

 very warm contest, and was obstinately kept up as long as the 

 fair competitors could keep themselves up. But this not being 

 practicable nor altogether ans^verable to the wishes of the specta- 

 tors, the sacks w^ere soon disburthened of their fair contents 

 and the prize awarded. The day's proceedings finished up 

 with the carrying of the good host on the shoulders of some 

 spectators to his own door, when he "shouted" for his carriers 

 with a copious libation of the best West Indian product. 



