Formation of the Australian Jockey Club.
According to the “Sydney Morning Herald,” at a meeting held on April of 1842, it was decided to form the Australian Jockey Club. In August of that year a meeting of the club at the Royal Hotel appointed stewards for the forthcoming meeting in September at Homebush. The stewards were Captain Sawbridge, Mr. Lawson and Mr. Icely; Judge, Major Hunter; Clerk of the Course, Mr. May, and Hon. Sec., Mr. W. Hunter.
At another meeting it was resolved that jockeys be paid the following rates:—Rider of the winner of a £50 prize of public money and under, £5; a loser in a race of similar amount £3. Winner of more than £50 of public money £10, and a loser £5.
The first race meeting carried out at Homebush by the A.J.C. extended over three days, starting on September 20th, when the first race, Champion Cup, a sweep of 10 sovereigns, with 100 sovereigns added was won by Mr. C. Smith’s Eclipse, by Whisker (Dunn), Sir J. Jamieson’s Sir Charles second. The Two-year-old Stakes of 10 sovereigns for starters, with 30 sovereigns added, went to Mr. C. Roberts’ President, by Emancipation. Mr. C. Smith won the Australian Stakes with Tranby, by Operator, also the Maiden Plate of 25 sovereigns with Chillington. There were two races on the second day—Tradesmen’s Purse, a sweep of 5 sovereigns, with 30 sovereigns added, won by Mr. C. Smith’s Eclipse, and a Hack Race won by a horse owned by Major Hunter.
The third day’s programme opened with the Champagne Stakes, a sweep of 10 sovereigns, with 75 sovereigns added, the winner to give three dozen of champagne (heats, twice round); Mr. C. Roberts’ Quail, by Gratis, walked over for it. Sir Charles, by Gratis, won the Ladies’ Purse. Claret Stakes of 10 sovereigns, with 50 sovereigns added (heats, once round), winner to give three dozen of claret to the ordinary. It went to Mr. C. Roberts’ Tranby, by Operator, ridden by Johnny Higgerson. The Beaten Stakes, won by Plutus, concluded a most successful meeting, which was followed by a dinner at the Royal Hotel.
Racing at Homebush. A.J.C. Easter Meetings. Horses for India and First A.J.C. Meeting at Randwick.
With racing firmly established at Homebush, under the management of the Australian Jockey Club, there were few other meetings from 1843 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. 9lb., 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 5lb. Some other winners at the meeting were Attila, Lottery and Marchioness.
In 1844 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.