176 RACEHORSES IN AUSTRALIA 



onwards held within reach of metropolitans. The stewards for 1843 were 

 Mr. Lawson, senr.. Captain Ramsbottom and Mr. W. Russell. Major Hunter 

 acted as Judge. Racing commenced at noon each day, and the Press notified 

 that there would be no false starts. At this meeting Mr. Rouse won the 

 Metropolitan Stakes, also the Cumberland Cup with Jorrocks, while the St. 

 Leger Stakes went to Mr. Scott's b f Marchioness, Attila running second. 



The club held a Spring Meeting in 1843^ when Jorrocks won the 

 Champion Cup, ridden by Higgerson. He carried 9st. 91b., and ran the 

 three miles in 5 min. 50 sec. In those days the Champagne Stakes was 

 for all horses w.f.a., twice round and a distance, and Jorrocks won it, carrying 

 a penalty of 51b. Some other winners at the meeting were Attila, Lottery 

 and Marchioness. 



In 1 844 the horse stock in the colony had increased to such an extent 

 that shipments to India and other places were frequent. The ship "Neptune," 

 bound for Madras, had been fitted up with one hundred horse stalls. The 

 "Medusa" had taken sixty to Madras, and the "William Metcalf," whose 

 destination was Calcutta, had been provided with thirty stalls. Even so early 

 in her history Australian horses had made a name abroad. 



The Australian Jockey Club. Classic Winners. 



To give a detailed account of the racing under the rules and regulations 

 of the Australian Jockey Club, from its formation in 1 842 up to date, would 

 be more than our space can afford. The one race that was always present 

 in their autumn programme was the St. Leger. it is thus the oldest classic 

 race in Australia. As will be seen in previous chapters, when the Subscription 

 racing started at Homebush in 1841 they instituted the St. Leger, run at 

 1 i mile, and the A.J.C. wisely adopted and carried it on during their whole 

 tenure of Homebush. From 1842 to the autumn of 1859 the winners of 

 the St. Leger were: — 



1841— Eleanor. 1851— Plover. 



1842 — Beeswing. 1852 — Surplice. 



1843 — Marchioness. ]853 — Cooramun 



',llt~D"^ B°""^" 1854- Venison. 



1845 — Peter from Athlone. ,orr ^ , 



, o i /• I I T-i lojj — Camden. 



1o4d — Lady 1 heresa. lo-/ o 



1847— Whalebone. 836— Stumpy. 



1848— Snake. I 85 7— Laurestma. 



1849 Pastile. 1858 — Chevalier. 



1850- Cossack. 1859— The Don. 



I860 may be put down as the foundation year of the Australian Jockey 

 Club. The A.J.C. was not strong financially when it decided to take up 

 racing at Randwick. Several gentlemen, however, came to the club's assist- 

 ance. The names of those friends are inscribed on a tablet in the present 

 grandstand. The land at Randwick, now used as a racecourse, was set apart 

 for the purpose in 1 833 by the authority of Sir Richard Bourke. It comprises 

 two hundred and two acres and, according to a letter which appeared in 



