Turf Monthly January 2024

turf monthly

T THIS MONTH WITHOUT A FIGHT RIFF ROCKET DIGGER McGROWDIE FAUX TIRAGE

January 2024

Editor’s Letter A New Year already. With January it brings the Magic Millions carnival and perhaps the most important yearling sale of the year. We did a brief story a little while ago where we mentioned the dosages of Magic Millions winners and we see that there is a seemingly never ending focus on speed. Breeders seem to think that more speed is all that matters, and we are seeing that reflected in the types that are winning the race. I also suspect that this is causing issues with the breed. Clearly the fields over the last few years looks to be lacking depth. A city win is likely to earn enough prizemoney to make the field in one of the richest 2yo races in the world. No doubt trainers are acutely aware of what is needed to make the field, and place their charges accordingly, but I cannot help but wonder if there are questions about the soundness of many of these youngsters. If history tells us anything, it is that good athletic horses can cope with regular racing. Perhaps too much speed leads to a lack of balance in a horse and soundness issues. At least that is what many breeders of the past believed.

CONTENTS 4

Without A Fight

14

Riff Rocket

18

Igloo

20

Faux Tirage

22

Straight Draw

25

Grand Cidium

29

Noel ‘Digger’ McGrowdie

We cannot allow this edition to pass without making comment on the retirement of the great Damien Oliver. What a remarkable career he has had, and like many, the highs and lows have come at great extremes.

We wish him well in the future and history will remember his achievements long after those that saw him ride are gone. The top horses that benefitted from Oliver’s guidance form a long list and include the likes of Schillaci, Flying Spur, Testa Rossa and Alinghi to name a few. One of my favourites that he rode was a more recent one in Russian Camelot and his youngsters are set to appear for the first time in this year’s Magic Millions sale. Given the likely staying nature of his progeny, it is notable that he is represented by only a handful of yearlings but perhaps this will change in years to come.

Cover Photo 2022 VRC Derby winne RIFF ROCKET

Until next month

Ross Prowd Turf Monthly ABN 64 892 144 940 Phone 0412 712 181

Email editor@turfmonthly.com.au 2 Swan Street PARKSIDE Q 4825

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WITHOUT A FIGHT

ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL CUP STAR

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ithout A Fight won the 2023 Melbourne Cup in a dominant performance. As we will see shortly, his performances this year represent a marked improvement to those when he arrived in Australia last year. It raises a very important question as to how imported horses adapt to local conditions, including climate and training methods over time. Clearly, the task of winning the Cup on a fly in one-off mission is a much different prospect to that of a horse who has had a year to acclimatise.

None of this detracts from the performance of Without A Fight who has rightly joined an elite group of gallopers to have won not only a Melbourne Cup, but also the elusive Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double.

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he gelding did not make his debut until half-way through his 3yo season when he was third in a 2000m maiden at Newbury behind Worthily who also was later to be imported to Australia, this time by Australian Bloodstock. To date he has won a BM70 at Caulfield over 1800m in February 2022. Without A Fight had his next start at the end of July and proceeded to win his next three races at Redcar, Newbury and Haydock. At the end of October, his owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid al Maktoum started the horse in the Listed Noel Murless at Ascot over 14 furlongs. He was to finish third in the four-horse field, beaten only two lengths by Berkshire Rocco. After as spell, Without A Fight returned to run second behind Al Aasy in the Group 3 Surprise Stakes. He then ran third at Ascot behind Albaflora in the Listed Buckhound Stakes, beaten some 14.5 lengths. After a twelve-week break, he then went to Goodwood to run in the twelve-furlong Group 3 Glorious Stakes, finishing last of the eight runners. It was then to Newbury over thirteen furlongs where Without A Fight finished fourth behind Hukum. He then returned to winning form winning a Rating 105 at Haydock and the Listed Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket. Another spell followed and he returned at Meydan in Saudi Arabia running second to Hukum in the Group 2 City Of Gold Handicap and twelfth of fifteen behind Shahryar in the Group 1 Sheema Classic. The gelding returned to the UK to run third in the Group 3 Al Rayyan Stakes behind Ilaraab. He then won the Listed Grand Cup at York beating John Leeper and then the Group 3 Silver Cup Stakes beating the same horse. After a let-up he returned to run second in the Listed Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket behind Siskany. Without A Fight was then sent to Australia where he lined up in the 2022 Melbourne Cup, finishing thirteenth behind winner, Gold Trip, beaten over 21 lengths.

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he gelding remained in Australia where he was sent to Anthony and Sam Freedman. He had his first start for the new stable in the Brisbane Winter Carnival where he stunned most pundits by winning the Lord Mayor’s Cup over what looked an unsuitable 1800m. He then started a short-priced favourite in the Q22 where he was again impressive winning comfortably by almost two lengths over the 2200m trip. After a let-up, Without A Fight returned in the Spring in Melbourne to run a strong sixth in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes behind Alligator Blood. He then won the Caulfield Cup beating West Wind Blows and Gold Trip, followed by his Melbourne Cup victory. Without A Fight became the eleventh horse to win the famed Cups double, and the first since Ethereal in 2001.

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ithout A Fight is a son of the top stallion, Teofilo who in turn is a son of Galileo out of a Danehill mare. Teofilo shuttled to Australia from 2009 to 2017 but his fertility locally was moderate. In all though he covered almost 600 mares for over 300 live foals. His performances here though did not match his Northern Hemisphere results. His locally bred Group 1 winners were Happy Clapper (Epsom, Canterbury Stakes and Doncaster), Humidor (Australian Cup, Memsie and Makybe Diva Stakes), Kermadec (Doncaster, George Main), Palentino (Makybe Diva Stakes and Australian Guineas), and Sonntag (Qld Derby). Without A Fight became the stallion’s third Melbourne Cup winner after Cross Counter and Twilight Payment, all bred in the UK. The dam of Without A Fight was Khor Sheed

by Dubawi who had won the Group 3 Premio Sergio Cumani in Italy, and the Listed Eternal Stakes and Empress Stakes in GB. Without A Fight was her fifth foal and she has also produced winners Persian Sun by Dansili, Going Places by Frankel and Prakasa by The Gurka. Her first foal to be named Sharja Princess by Invincible Spirit has proven a success in the breeding barn producing the French bred Avenue de France by Teofilo who has won seven races including the Group 3 Silver Cup Stakes at York. Khor Sheed is a half-sister to Prince Kirk by Selkirk who won seven races including the Group 1 Prix d’Ishpahan. He is currently at stud but has had little success from small crops. Without A Fight’s second dam was the Canadian bred Halo’s Princess, a multiple Listed winner. She produced Hailsham by Riverman who was to win the Italian Derby and was to become a stallion in Japan. Halo’s Princess was a half-sister to Curator by Assert who was imported to Australia where she became an outstanding broodmare. She produced three stakes winners in Curata Storm who won the Group 1 STC Mercedes Classic, Voile d’Or who won the Group 1 South Australian Oaks and WA Derby, as well as the Listed Mornington Cup, and Imperatrix who won the Listed Gosford Belle Of The Turf Stakes.

Curata Storm

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he female family of Without A Fight though is of particular interest to many.

He traces to the Bruce Lowe number 9 family which was that of the original Vintner mare. The mare hailed from the Lowther Stud that was owned by Mr Henry Curwen of Workington Hall in Cumberland. The family had imported generations of horses with Eastern blood, and it is speculated that this mare was not from the Barb or Arabian breeds so common in the thoroughbred ancestral lines. It is likely though that the black Vintner mare was likely a daughter of Curwen’s Arabian mare and dates to the reign of Charles II likely sometime in the 1670’s. The Curwen family has its place in history as the hosts of Mary Queen of Scots when she sought sanctuary when leaving Scotland. This family is perhaps best noted in modern times as being that of the great Lady Josephine and her daughter Mumtaz Mahal. The line that gives us Without A Fight varies from that line, and it can be a disservice to refer to the family now in this way. Lady Josephine was to have three daughters who all had major impacts on the breed. The least known would be Joyous by Gay Crusader who is responsible most notably in the local breed as the direct ancestor of Trim Girl who gave us Startling Lass and Midnight Fever, both of which have been outstanding matrons. Interestingly another branch of this family was to give us the popular racehorse of the 1970’s in Igloo who won six stakes races including the 1971 Underwood Stakes and Coongy Handicap on route to running second to Silver Knight in that year’s Melbourne Cup. The other of course was Mumtaz Mahal by The Tetrach, who interestingly was one of the speediest fillies in history. The third was Lady Juror by Son-In-Law whose influence is arguably as important as that of her more famous half-sister.

Lady Juror TURF MONTHLY 8

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ady Juror won the Red Rose Stakes over five furlongs and the Empire Stakes over six furlongs, but her biggest success came as a 3yo when she won the Jockey Club Stakes over fourteen furlongs. She was owned originally by Thomas Dewar, the distiller who upon his death left his horses plus £1 million and was to almost immediately prove her value as a broodmare. Her first four foals earned an impressive total of £16,648 on the track with the most important win being that of The Black Abbot who won the Gimcrack Stakes. Interestingly, the progeny of Lady Juror was to exhibit the speed bias of the family. The Black Abbot by Abbots Trace was a moderate stallion, but he still continues to have an influence on the modern breed in Australia. Among those good horses who owe their heritage to this line are Keepers who counted the 1983 AJC Sires’ Produce among his victories and was later to have a solid career at stud, and Marooned, another Group 1 winning stallion by virtue of his win in the 1986 Sydney Cup. He was more than successful at stud in Western Australia siring such runners as Railway Stakes winners Hardrada and Island Morn. It was a daughter of Marooned in Marooned Lady who produced stakes winning Special Harmony who is now the grand dam of one of our best mares in Fangirl. Marooned traces to a daughter of one of The Black Scot’s sons in Wychwood Abbot. That rather obscure stallion also was responsible for a line that led to a son of Decies called Lefroy who was a star galloper in the late 70’s winning races like the Spring Champion Stakes, Qld Derby and VRC Underwood Stakes. Another daughter of Marooned left the champion Miss Andretti who won thirteen stakes races including winning both the Newmarket and Lightning Stakes at Flemington, and the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Miss Andretti

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iot was another daughter of Lady Juror who went on to greatness. Apart from being an above average racehorse in her own right, she was to produce Commotion by Mieuxce who was to win the 1941 Epsom Oaks and Falmouth Stakes.

She was to produce three stakes winners herself in Combat, Aristophanes and Faux Tirage. Combat was undefeated winning his nine starts which included five stakes races including the Rous Memorial and Sussex Stakes. A son of Big Game, he retired to stud where he had good success siring the likes of Aggressor who won eleven races including the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. His son Streetfighter was to stand at stud in Australia where he produced three stakes winners including Blockbuster who in 1977 won the George Main Stakes, Linlithgow Stakes, Phar Lap Stakes and Theo Marks Quality. His son, Blockbuster can be found in the pedigree of Rena’s Lady who won the AJC Oaks, and her stakes winning siblings, Raise and Vatuvei. Perhaps more importantly that stallion can be found in the direct female line of star Australian sire, Zoustar. Zoustar won four stakes races in his career on the track including the Group 1 Golden Rose and Collmore Stud Stakes. He has sired some 40 stakes winners and now is one of the most expensive stallions in Australia, commanding a service fee of $220,000. A daughter of Aggressor, Aggravate who had won the GB Park Hill Stakes, produced the German champion stallion, Acatenango. Acatenango can be found in the pedigree of horses like US star Animal Kingdom, and Sound who won two Zipping Classics. Aristophanes by Hyperion out of Commotion won stakes races at two and three in the UK, but as a stallion was sent to South America where he was critical in introducing his sire to that region. His son Forli was an unbeaten champion in Argentina who went to the US where he won two of his three starts including setting a new track record over 8.5 furlongs at Hollywood Park. Forli stood at stud in the US where he proved an outstanding success. Among his stakes winners were Forego who won 25 stakes races in the US in the mid-1970’s and was three times Horse of the Year, and Thatch who was a champion 2yo in Ireland and later a top quality stallion in his own right.

Thatch’s son Thatching produced Archway and Rustic Amber who both came to stud in Australia. Archway produced 17 stakes winners locally including Group 1 winners Grand Archway, Roman Arch, Rose Archway and She’s Archie. Rustic Amber did not have quite the immediate success at stud as Archway, but was a good

Forli

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stallion producing six stakes winners including three Group 1 winners. Brawny Spirit won the 1995 Salinger Stakes and 1996 Newmarket, Marstic won the 2000 Goodwood and Rustic Dream won the 1999 Futurity Stakes. But is was another of his sons, the Group 2 winning Sequalo who had the greatest impact. He won six stakes races in all and went to stud at Lyndhurst in Queensland where he dominated local breeding for a generation. He sired only two stakes winners in Star Shiraz who won the 2004 QTC Sires Produce and Spirit Of Boom who won the 2014 Doomben 10,000 and William Reid Stakes. He retired to stud at Eureka Stud on the Darling Downs where he continued his sires’ dominance of local breeding. To date he has sired 21 stakes winners although has only one stakes winner in Jonker who went to stud this year at Acquis Farm on the Gold Coast.

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t was perhaps Sansonnet by Sansovino who was the most successful of Lady Juror’s daughters. She produced two stakes winners in Neolight by Nearco who leads us to Without A Fight, and the legendary Tudor Minstrel, a winner of five stakes races including the Queen Elizabeth and St James’ Palace Stakes. He had been the champion 2yo colt in the UK and went to stud at Homestall Stud in 1948.

He was sold to the famed Spendthrift Stud in Kentucky in 1958 and passed away in 1971. He sired some 28 stakes winners including the 1959 Kentucky Derby winner Tomy Lee as well as good stallions Sing Sing and Tudor Melody. Sing Sing was the sire of Mummy’s Pet who sired The Pug who stood in Australia and produced Jet Fighter and Jakpil among six stakes winners. A daughter of Sing Sing also gave us the line of the good mare, Rose Of Archway. Tudor Minstrel also appears in the tail sire line of Cadeaux Genereux who sired Bahamian Bounty who stood at stud in Australia, Hugs Dancer who won the 2004 Craiglee Stakes, and Red Cadeaux, the

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remarkable international galloper who finished second in three Melbourne Cups.

He was beaten a nose by Dunaden in 2011, 0.75 lengths by Fiorente in 2013, and four lengths by Protectionist in 2014. He also ran in the 2012 and 2015 Cups. Many forget that Red Cadeaux was also the winner of the 2012 Hong Kong Vase as well as the Yorkshire Cup and Curragh Cup. He also ran second to Animal Kingdom in the 2013 World Cup. Arguably the influence of Tudor Minstrel is best illustrated through his daughters who appear in the pedigrees of the likes of Be My Guest, Cormorant, Kala Dancer, Steel Pulse, Puissance De Lune, Known Fact and Blushing Groom. However, it was a son of Sansonnet out of the first crop of the stallion, Fairway who was to become the most important influence of this line in Fair Trial.

We will talk of him on his own such was his influence next month

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iven his family, many may suggest that it was unfortunate that Without A Fight was gelded early in his career. Many will rightly point out that the gelding of the colt is likely what allowed him to perform to this level on the track. While his pedigree includes some remarkable influences, given his Melbourne Cup victory and his overall form, he would likely have little support from commercial breeders in any case. It is much better for us to enjoy his racing career. He certainly has improved significantly by being allowed time to acclimatise to Australian conditions.

Despite winning almost $10 million in prizemoney, Without A Fight has had only 23 starts so he could well have plenty of racing left ahead of him. His pedigree would suggest that he is at best past a mile and, treated carefully, there could be plenty of good races still in store for him in the coming years. While he may not match Red Cadeaux’s record of five straight Melbourne Cup appearances, Without A Fight should line up again on the first Tuesday in November at least in 2024.

Red Cadeaux winning the HK Vase TURF MONTHLY 13

RIFF ROCKET VRC DERBY WINNER

Riff Rocket was an impressive winner of the VRC Derby in November. He is exciting in that he is the first local Group 1 winner for the US Triple Crown star, American Pharoah. American Pharoah won the Triple Crown in 2015 as a result of winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness ad Belmont Stakes. He shuttled to Australia from 2017 to 2021. Riff Rocket became the fourth gelding in the last five years to win the VRC. Before that, we had to go back to Sangster in 2011 to find the last gelded winner of the Derby. Since then there has been a seismic shift in the staying ranks in Australia, with the imports now dominating most races past 2000m in Australia.

The VRC Derby may well be a benchmark in the changing landscape of the local thoroughbred, but more on this later.

Firstly, Riff Rocket deserves his accolades for a tough win in the race in this year. He narrowly defeated the colt, Apulia who is a son of the recently deceased Melbourne Cup winner, Fiorente. We find Apulia an interesting contrast to Riff Rocket, and you can read more on him this month. Before we get to the Derby, Riff Rocket was a homebred gelding for Woppitt Bloodstock. He was out of the stakes placed Smart Missile mare, Missile Coda who was purchased as a yearling at Magic Millions for $400,000. Interestingly she had been included in the Inglis Broodmare Sale this year but was withdrawn after Riff Rocket made his racetrack debut. Obviously, the value of the mare and her progeny have increased dramatically. Rigg Rocket made his debut on 28 April winning a maiden at Geelong over 1225m. He beat another Chris Waller trained runner in Mojave Desert with the Peter Moody trained Street God in third. Interestingly, Mojave Desert went on to also run in the Bill Stutt

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Stakes, while Street God now finds himself in the stable of Rockhampton trainer, John Wiggington where the gelding recently finished eight in his local debut in a 3yo maiden over 1200m. It certainly shows the vagaries of racing when that horse was only two lengths behind a VRC Derby winner at debut. Both Riff Rocket and Mojave Dancer started next at Flemington over 1400m three weeks later with Riff Rocket finishing a moderate seventh behind Le Zebra with Mojave Dancer second.

After a spell, Riff Rocket returned to win a 3yo class 1 over 1500m at Kembla Grange.

The gelding did not have it all his own way, narrowly beating another Waller horse in the Snitzel colt, Snowman. The pair met again two weeks later at Rosehill over 1800m where Snowman reversed the placings having got away to a big lead early in the straight with Riff Rocket running on strongly to be a little over two lengths at the finish. The gelding then returned to Melbourne to line up in the Listed Super Impose Stakes over 1800m at Flemington. This was the race that had many sit-up and take notice as Riff Rocket exploded away from the field to win by 5.5 lengths from Sunsource and Fistsoffury. Sunsets was to run fourth while back in the field, Apulia ran home strongly although a well beaten eighth. Sunsets was to then cause a huge upset when he defeated Riff Rocket in the G3 Neds Classic at Caulfield on 21 October. Sent out at unbackable odds of $1.28, Riff Rocket looked to have every chance when he failed by 0.1 lengths to pick-up Sunsets who had hit the lead as the field straightened. It was then to the VRC Derby and Riff Rocket was sent out the firm favourite at $2.20. Given a perfect run by star jockey, James Macdonald, Riff Rocket ran past the game Sunsets with a little over 100m to go down the Flemington straight. Connections, and the crowd, held their collective breaths as the wellfancied Apulia closed the margin to a half-head on the line.

As we mentioned, Riff Rocket is by American Pharoah who won to 2400m as a 3yo.

His dam, Missile Coda won five races up to 1300m and was placed in the Listed Hinkler Stakes at Doomben over 1200m. This is the family of such runners in recent times as Rain Affair who won twelve races including the Group 2 Expressway, Apollo Stakes and Challenge Stakes and was twice winner of the G3 Missile Stakes.

He was also second at G1 level in both the TJ Smith Stakes and All Aged Stakes. He was a half-brother to Ranges who won the Listed Hinkler Handicap and Ramornie Stakes. While this looks to be a sprinting family, it is notable that Riff Rocket sees

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the 1945 Melbourne Cup winner, Rainbird as his eighth dam. She was a remarkable racehorse and broodmare, and we have written about her at length in the past. This wonderful heritage may go some way in explaining why Riff Rocket was able to get the Derby distance, but it is more likely that the stamina influences are coming from the stallion. Interestingly though if we look at his pedigree, we see a duplication of the stallion Fappiano who is regularly found in the pedigree of staying types.

Nonetheless, I would suggest that as time goes on, we may see that Riff Rocket may struggle past 2000m. We should all remember the lessons of another VRC Derby winner in Mahogany who was to go on to become one of the greats winning two G1 Lightning Stakes over 1000m after having won both the VRC and AJC Derbies.

While I am not suggesting that Riff Rocket will be best kept to shorter journeys, just that he may not be at his best over distances of 2400m and beyond as an older horse. If we want to look at the other three geldings to have won the Derby recently, we see they were Manzoice, Johnny Get Angry and Warning. Manzoice sadly has done little since his win and his best run was likely in the 1600m Chelmsford Stakes where he finished eighth beaten less than three lengths. Johnny Get Angry, who arguably had much more of a stamina dominated pedigree, was another who failed to make an impact following his win. How much of this was related to physical issues though is another question as he had over nine months break following his Derby win. Warning is by far the best performed of the geldings to date. His pedigree is also one that would indicate that he was likely a true staying type. Since winning the Derby, he has also won the AJC St Leger and the Queen Elizabeth at Flemington both over 2600m as well as running second in the Brisbane Cup over 3200m and finishing twelfth in the 2020 Melbourne Cup behind Twilight Payment.

Warning also finished second on Cup Day this year in the 1800m Listed Cup Day Plate. Unfortunately, these results probably do not give us a great insight into the future of Riff Rocket except to say that it is likely that these winners were largely true to type in what they achieved.

Rain Affair TURF MONTHLY 16

IGLOO

TOUGH STAYER OF THE 1970’S

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gloo was one of those great NZ gallopers of the 1970’s and became a crowd favourite across Australia. He did his early racing as a two and three year old in NZ. Interestingly, and this is certainly a trait of the female family that sees him trace directly to Lady Juror, he was to run third at his first start in October 1969 as a very early 2yo over 800m. After a spell Igloo returned in June to win three straight races at 6 furlongs while still a 2yo. Returning as a 3yo, he was unplaced in the Dunedin Guineas over a mile, and was then placed twice over 1200m before stepping up again to a mile. Here he was fourth behind Game, that excellent NZ based son of Faux Tirage. Connections were to race Igloo on sixteen occasions as a 3yo for four wins and six placings at distances ranging from 1200-1600m.

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gloo was then taken to Australia and had his first start here at Flemington in the Turnbull Stakes over 2000m. Igloo beat Double Irish convincingly and then went to the Coongy Handicap over the same distance at Caulfield less than two weeks later to again record a good win, this time beating Trader. Igloo then stepped up to the Caulfield Cup and was well supported in the race. He ran well but was up against Gala Supreme who was a superior galloper on the day, winning by around two lengths with a further six lengths to Big Philou in third. Igloo then went to the WFA Cox Plate and started the 11/4 favourite on the basis of his unbeaten run in Melbourne. The unfashionable Tauto though was to rain on the parade, and the jockey allowed Tauto, who wanted to pull early in the race, plenty of rein and he strode to the lead. Igloo sat behind the leader and came out to challenge at the 400m

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mark, but could make little impression on the winner, who maintained a 0.5 length margin to the wire. Beau Sovereign finished almost two lengths away in third, with Gunsynd, Rajah Sahib and Tails following. It was then onto the Melbourne Cup but another Kiwi horse in Siver Knight was to prove too strong on a rock hard Flemington surface. Such was the track condition that five of the 21 runners broke down and there could be speculation that it had long lasting impact on others, most notably Igloo. Silver Knight had been heavily backed in doubles to win the Melbourne Cup, and the confidence proved justified as he won by 1.25 lengths with Tails a further 1.5 lengths away in third.

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fter the Cup, Igloo was sold for a rumoured price of $50,000 to Mrs Liz Tippett, the wife of a retired US Air Force Colonel. He was transferred to the stable of leading trainer Tommy Smith, having been owned and trained by Arthur Didham.

Smith took the gelding to Sydney where he won the Christmas Cup on 11 December over 2400m at Rosehill. Igloo was taken to Perth for a tilt at the Perth Cup and was a short-priced favourite when he pulled up lame after a track gallop. It was found that the gelding had strained tendons in both front legs, and had a dislocated pastern in his off foreleg. The injury was so severe that vets considered whether the horse should be destroyed. The new owner flew top vet, Percy Sykes who was on holiday in Noumea, to Perth and after a two hour meeting with local vets, confirmed that the horse would be saved.

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gloo was off the racing scene for 22 months, and had two severe bouts of pneumonia during that period. He was not to return until a 6yo in October 1974 after almost two years off the scene. He carried 61.5kg to win the Castlereagh Handicap at Rosehill over 2000m. Next it was a third in the CB Fisher Plate before an unplaced run in the Sandown Cup behind Baghdad Note. After three unplaced runs in the New Year, Igloo won the Chipping Norton at Warwick Farm beating Asgard over 2100m and then beating Dayana over 2000m in the Autumn Stakes at Randwick. Unplaced in the Sydney Cup behind Battle Heights, Igloo was third in the Queen Elizabeth before going to Adelaide to run third in the Adelaide Cup. He then went to Brisbane where he was to win the 3200m Brisbane Cup. Igloo returned for his last campaign in the Spring of 1974. He ran seventh in the Chelmsford Stakes in Sydney and then went to Melbourne to win the Caulfield Stakes. He was then sixth behind Leilani in the Caulfield Cup, fourth behind Battle Heights in the Cox Plate, and eighth behind Think Big in the Melbourne Cup. Igloo was retired after finishing eleventh behind Pyramul in the Sandown Cup, and was taken to Liz Tippett’s property, Llangollen Estate, in Virginia USA.

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FAUX TIRAGE

DOMINATING NZ BREEDING

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aux Tirage was the most expensive horse ever imported to New Zealand at the time. He was purchased by Tom Lowry for his Okawa Stud for a reported price of £A31,250 in 1949. The stallion was a son of Big Game out of the stakes winning mare, Commotion, a daughter of Riot who in turn was out of Lady Juror. Faux Tirage had won his first two starts as a 2yo, and won his first three starts as a 3yo, with the last of these being in the £3926 St. James Palace Stakes at Ascot.

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homas Henry Lowry was renowned as the owner of the great NZ mare, Desert Gold. He inherited the 20,000 acre property of Okawa in the Hawkes Bay region of NZ’s North Island. He married Helen Watt, the daughter of James Watt who was reportedly one of the wealthiest men in the country. His son, Thomas Coleman Lowry was to become the first NZ cricket captain, leading his country in their first seven test matches from January 1930 to August 1931. He was inducted into the NZ Sporting Hall of Fame and was also a founder of the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Association in 1948 and was president of that organisation from 1951 to 1965. Faux Tirage was an immediate hit with breeders with his early yearlings being highly sought after at sale. They made an equal impression on the track as the stallion sire fourteen winners of 2yo races in his first season, and at one time having the first four placegetters in one race. In all, Faux Tirage was to be champion sire of 2yo’s in NZ on four occasions, and in 1957/58 won the Australasian Sires Title with progeny earnings of Faux Tirage was leading Australasian sire in 1957-58 with more than NZ$178,000.

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n all, Faux Tirage was to sire 43 individual stakes winners. He passed away in 1970 at the age of 24 from a stroke, having covered 30 mares in his last season.

We will discuss arguably his best son in Straight Draw later in this edition and we have previously discussed the family of another of his stakes winners in the past.

That horse was Froth who won six stakes races including the 1958 Auckland Queen Elizabeth Handicap and the 1959 Auckland Cup. Froth needs little introduction being the mare whose family includes the likes of Horlicks, Brew, Interstellar, General Nediym, Nicconi and Military Plume. The progeny of Faux Tirage not only had significant success in NZ, but many were outstanding performers in Australia.

Game who was out of the NZ mare, Calm won 16 stakes races in his native country.

Aquarelle was another multiple stakes winner in NZ as were Baraboo, Hot Drop, Hush Money and Rover. We will look more closely at the continued influence of this remarkable stallion next month.

Tom Lowry

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STRAIGHT DRAW

1957 MELBOURNE CUP WINNER

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traight Draw was a wonderful staying son of Faux Tirage. This in itself is something a little unusual for the family of Lady Juror. Given that our story has commenced with the Melbourne Cup win of Without A Fight, it is interesting that often these wonderful stayers emerge as the blend of stamina and speed allows.

But while we see Straight Draw as a stayer with the benefit of hindsight, his race performances tell an interesting story.

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he gelding was trained by veteran Sydney trainer, Jack Mitchell and owned by Ezra Norton, the Sydney media magnate who owned the Truth and Sportsman newspapers. Straight Draw had his first race start in November 1954 as an early 2yo. He was ridden by Darby Munro and finished unplaced twice over five furlongs (1000m) at Randwick during that month. He was again unplaced when ridden by Neville Sellwood over the same course and distance in December. The New Year saw a change in fortune as Straight Draw won two races up to 6 furlongs (1200m) including the Kirkham Handicap when ridden by Billy Cook. He then ran fourth when odds on behind Sendiri who had won the Listed VRC Mimosa Stakes. Another unplaced run followed in March behind Main Court on a heavy track. Next was a third in the George Rowe Handicap before three days later rounding off his 2yo career with an unplaced run behind Tranquil Lass in the Fernhill Handicap over a mile at Randwick.

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traight Draw did not return to the racetrack until 2 January 1956, finishing fourth over 6 furlongs in a Welter at Randwick. Another unplaced run followed over 7 furlongs before the gelding won over a mile at the same track in a 3yo Handicap.

Straight Draw was to have seven more runs for the rest of his campaign which only once saw him start at a mile. The rest of the runs were at shorter distances and three times he was to finish second. The gelding was reportedly a difficult horse to train which is what led to his starts at shorter trips. Resuming as a 4yo, Straight Draw had three unplaced runs before a second in the Clovelly Handicap at Randwick over 7 furlongs (1400m). He then won a Welter at Rosehill over 9 furlongs (1800m) and a Handicap at Randwick over 10 furlongs (2000m). Two more starts at the track and distance saw him chalk up a win and a third, before he ran third in the Anniversary Handicap over 12 furlongs (2400m). Straight Draw then went out for a spell, returning as a late 4yo to have three unplaced runs over shorter trips.

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hree more unplaced runs followed after he turned five, but when Noel McGrowdie joined up with Straight Draw, he dead-headed with the Brisbane Cup winner, Timor, in the Spring Handicap back over the 10 furlongs at Randwick.

He was heavily backed at his next start but was to run fourth in the Squatters Handicap. Connections made suggestions that the horse had refused to take runs in the race, but punters were more inclined to argue that he had been “got at.” For the stable, it was just one of those things and Straight Draw was sent out at 9/1 at his next start in the Metropolitan two days later. The crowd was vocal in their displeasure when he won that feature beating Gallant Lee. The 1957 Melbourne Cup looked to be at the mercy of the great colt, Tulloch. Eventually his hard headed owner EA Haley refused to start the 3yo in the Cup, but not before an equally hardheaded Norton had insisted that he had no qualms in taking on the champion. After failing in the Cox Plate, that Mitchell always thought would have been unsuitable for the gelding, he was disappointed when Straight Draw put in a poor performance in the Hotham Handicap in a race that Mitchell thought he might win. McGrowdie asked the trainer if the horse might be short-sighted. “He certainly is field shy, at least when the pressure is on,” the jockey is quoted as saying. Mitchell had the horse inspected by a Melbourne eye-specialist who confirmed that he was indeed shortsighted, although not severely so. It was recommended that it might be wise to keep him to the outside, advice that McGrowdie had wholeheartedly agreed with. In the Cup, McGrowdie left the rails near the 6 furlong mark, keeping him wide until he hit the lead as they entered the straight. Although the unlucky Prince Darius got within a neck, he never looked likely to overhaul Straight Draw. Prince Darius is considered unlucky in that he was second that Spring five times. Three were behind Tulloch in the Rosehill Guineas and the AJC and VRC Derbies, while he was also second to Redcraze in the Cox Plate before his second in the Cup.

TURF MONTHLY 23

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traight Draw went for a spell after his Cup win and returned with three unplaced runs. He then won the Cronulla Stakes at Randwick before running second to Fire Flash in the Autumn Handicap at Warwick Farm. Straigth Draw then beat the good galloper Monte Carlo in the Autumn Stakes at Randwick over 12 furlongs before beating another good horse in Caranna in the two mile Sydney Cup three days later. It was to be his last start but what a wonderful way to finish a fine career.

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orton had commissioned Morrie Grogan, well known NZ and Sydney racing identity to purchase him a yearling from NZ. Grogan paid 2000 guineas for the colt by Faux Tirage from Sunbride. Sunbride was an imported mare being by Tai Yang, a son of Solario out of Graceful Bride. Sunbride was quite a remarkable broodmare winning the title of NZ Broodmare of the Year in 1961. She was to have a total of thirteen foals of which eleven were winners. Not only did they include Straight Draw, but she was to also produce two other stakes winners. What was remarkable is that both were multiple stakes winners of some of the best races.

Ilumquh by Sabaean was to win four stakes races in the 1960 Caufield Cup and Williamstown Cup in Melbourne as well as the Wellington Summer Handicap and Awapuni Gold Cup. Her other was General Command by Agricola who won nine stakes races in total. These included the Metropolitan and Sydney Cup as well as the AJC Autumn Stakes, Winter Stakes, Chipping Norton and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, while in Melbourne he won the Queen Elizabeth, Sandown Cup and CB Fisher Plate. A full sister to Ilumquh called Myrrh produced Dicidiana by Agricola to produce two stakes winners in the full siblings by Oncidium in Grand Cidium who won the 1973 Caulfield Guineas and STC Hill Stakes, and Dayana who won four Derbies in 1972. The Perth based galloper was later to win the 1973 Perth Cup and the 1975 VRC Duke of Norfolk Stakes.

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GRAND CIDIUM A TRAGIC STORY

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rand Cidium is one of the truly tragic stories of Australian racing. He was purchased by Bruce Hedley for $18,000 as a yearling and trained by Tommy Hughes. The colt had his first start as a 2yo in February 1973 winning over 1200m at Caulfield. His next start was over the same distance at Flemington and the 7/4 on favourite duly saluted. Such was the opinion of the horse that his third start was in the AJC Sires Produce where he ran third behind the star colt Imagele. Returning as a 3yo, Grand Cidium won first up over 1400m at Sandown again at odds-on.

Two weeks later he stepped up to 2000m to win at Flemington. He returned to Sydney to win the Hill Stakes beating Longfella again as an odds-on favourite. A week later he was to run third to Imagele in the AJC Derby before heading back to Caulfield where he turned the tables on that colt to win the Caulfield Guineas.

Grand Cidium then was promoted to favourite for the 1973 Caulfield Cup. Not only did the colt draw the outside barrier in the high class field that included Imagele, Gala Supreme and Young Ida, but heavy rain hit the course in the lead up to the race, and continued for the race day. Owner Bruce Hedley knew his colt was unsuited by the going, but insisted on starting him to give his backers at least some sight in the big doubles. Grand Cidium battled gallantly to finish fourth, but Kiwi mare Swell Time proved superior in the conditions with Gala Supreme in second. Reports of the time suggested that the colt had suffered an injury from his exertions in the wet, and he was sent for a spell rather than progressing to the VRC Derby which had been his aim. Hedly refused an offer of $500,000 for his colt but during his spell, Grand Cidium went to Werribee Clinic for a minor operation on a hock injury. Two weeks later the star collapsed and died ending not only one of the most promising careers that we have seen, but also his potential stud career.

1973 Derby Grand Cidium third to Imagele TURF MONTHLY 25

EZRA NORTON

MEDIA OWNER AND SPORTSMAN gan, 'The People's Paper', it waged war against crime in Sydney, added a smattering of culture, and temporarily abandoned columns called 'Sheisms' (about the silliness of women) and 'Prickly Pairs' (about relaThis article was published: tionships in trouble). They soon returned as Truth fell in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 15 back on its familiar mix of sport, crime and divorce, all told with an alliterative flourish (such as 'From , 2000 Lounge Lizard to Long Bay Lodger'). online in 2006 Norton frightened his staff, treating reporters and Ezra Norton (1897-1967), newspaper proprietor, was executives alike with calculated rudeness. A stream of born on 8 April 1897 at Watsons Bay, Sydney, elder abuse was often preceded by a twitching of his nose. child of John Norton, the English-born proprietor of Any sign of weakness in his targets encouraged him Truth, and Ada McGrath who was native-born. John to greater sarcasm and ridicule. In frequent sacking married Ada a few weeks later and may have chosen blitzes, up to twenty reporters were dismissed at a the infant's name in honour of the scribe in the Old time. Eric Baume said that Norton 'was never a great Testament book of Nehemiah. Ezra never recovered editor but he was a genius in newspaper machinery from his parents' tempestuous relationship. His birth matters. Before you joined him he was all politeness. was legitimized in 1907. By the time he was 15, he Once you had joined him it was all fear and you had learned how to defend his mother from his became his body-servant. I loathed every bit of my father's assaults and to stand up for his own rights in service with him'. Norton was known as a 'tightwad' the face of continuing mental and physical abuse. He in business matters, but in private he was generous was educated at Scots College, Bellevue Hill. There he was ridiculed by a teacher because of his infamous to staff who were ill or in financial trouble. Unable to accept gratitude with ease, he turned away thanks as father. As a result, Norton often stayed away from school and was thrashed when he did attend. After he if receiving an insult.

For all his crudity and roughhouse manner, Norton failed to matriculate for the second time, he was sent was not uncouth. He was polite to women and sentito Christian Brothers' College, Waverley, where he mental towards animals, especially dogs. Considered was treated with kindness. enigmatic and a lone wolf, he was a short, trim man, Ezra worked in his father's business and quickly acquired the basics of newspaper production. John died usually clad in expensively tailored suits. He invariably wore a hat and often a camelhair coat, even on in 1916. He disinherited his wife and son, and left his estate (sworn for probate at £140,331) to his daughter warm days. His manner was furtive, he seldom smiled, Joan. In 1920 Ada Norton successfully challenged the and his mouth seemed permanently set at '20 to 4'. will in the Equity Court, receiving a third share of the He frequently went to the cinema, read history and literature, collected paintings, and was fond of certain estate, with the remainder divided equally between Ezra and Joan. At St James's Anglican Church, Sydney, operas, operettas, and musical comedies, especially those by Rodgers and Hammerstein. His friends inon 30 November 1922 Norton married Lillian Mary (Molly) Willoughby (d.1952), a 29-year-old teacher of cluded the politicians Arthur Calwell, (Sir) Eric Harrison and Eddie Ward. A close friend was Dr Kenneth dancing; he adopted her son.

Smith, a general practitioner of Darlinghurst, who On gaining control of his father's company, Norton accompanied Norton to the races, and to the boxing became managing director of Truth and Sportsman Ltd which published the Sunday paper, Truth, in vari- at the Stadium. He made other friends through his ous State editions, and the weekly Sydney Sportsman. interests in racing and the Trocadero nightclub which He tried at first to broaden the Truth formula from its he established in George Street in 1936. staples of divorce reports and sport. Under a new slo- On Derby Day 1939 Norton had came to blows in the Ezra Norton (1897–1967)

by Valerie Lawson

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members' enclosure at Randwick Racecourse with his 'enemy' (Sir) Frank Packer of Consolidated Press Ltd. Provoked by Packer, who had published unflattering photographs of him in the Telegraph, Norton struck the first blow and was forced to apologize to the Australian Jockey Club committee. Maurice Grogan, studmaster at Blandford Lodge, Matamata, New Zealand, selected racehorses for Norton, among them Straight Draw, winner of the A.J.C. Metropolitan Handicap and the Melbourne Cup in 1957, and the Sydney Cup in 1958.

The launch of Packer's Sunday Telegraph in 1939 had weakened Truth. Norton envied Packer's success and, during World War II, resented his commission in the Australian Imperial Force. For some time Truth ran a photograph of 'Captain Frank Packer' enjoying himself at the races, with the comment 'Captain Packer will be leaving for the front shortly'. Norton decided to launch a daily tabloid in competition with both Packer's Telegraph and Associated Newspapers Ltd's Sun. He lobbied politicians for a licence to import newsprint, despite the Menzies government's decision to introduce newsprint rationing. After setbacks and fierce opposition from his rivals, Norton gained the licence in January 1941, with the help of Harrison who was by then the Federal minister for trade and customs. The afternoon Daily Mirror was launched in May; by 1947 its circulation had overtaken that of the Sun. By the mid-1950s the 'news' in Truth revolved around 'the Dogs' Home, the race courses, Sydney Stadium, the doings of Mr Justice Dovey, adulterated food, White Australia and the threat of atomic radiation' and what it was doing to the weather. Both the Daily Mirror and Truth had fallen in circulation, and Norton wanted to quit. In October 1958 Truth was replaced by Norton's new Sunday Mirror. He considered selling his newspaper interests to the Daily Mirror group in Britain and the Herald and Weekly Times Ltd in Melbourne, but instead approached Rupert Henderson, managing director of John Fairfax & Sons Pty Ltd, publisher of the Sydney Morning Herald. In December 1958 Norton and his associates sold their shares in Truth and Sportsman Ltd to O'Connell Pty Ltd, a company controlled by Fairfax, which in turn disposed of a controlling interest to Rupert Murdoch's News Ltd. On 11 June 1953 at St James's Church, Sydney, Norton had married Emma Georgina ('Peggy') Morrison, his 38-year-old secretary. They lived at Carmel, Albert Street, Woollahra, where a bust of Norton as a young man was placed in the hall. Peggy believed that her husband sold his newspaper interests because he

feared ill health and knew he had no clear successor; moreover, he anticipated that the Matrimonial Causes Act (1959) would proscribe the reporting of evidence in divorce cases. After his retirement Norton said, 'I'm now a piece of cheese with everyone trying to have a nibble at me'. He owned a publishing business, Invincible Press, and a parking station in the city, and he continued to take an interest in the Trocadero. Having sold Carmel, he built a house at Vaucluse, with an Olympic-sized, salt-water swimming-pool.

Driven by his fears and prejudices, Norton was 'a tortured soul seeking inward peace', according to a former employee, Irvine Douglas. Norton loathed Freemasons and despised homosexuals. His alarm at what Cyril Pearl had written about his father led him to attempt to prevent the publication of Wild Men of Sydney (1958). It was widely believed that Norton had lobbied the State government to introduce and pass the controversial Defamation Act (1958) which redefined criminal libel to include the dead. He was afraid of travelling by air or in welded ships (as he had heard of Liberty ships breaking up in wartime).

Norton was as fond of alcohol as his father had been, and frequented the Australia Hotel where he often drank French champagne.

Still fit in his fifties and early sixties, Norton learned in 1966 that he had cancer. He converted to Catholicism and was received into the Church by Cardinal (Sir) Norman Gilroy. Grateful to the Sisters of Mercy who had cared for his sister when she was dying, Norton was a benefactor of the Order. Survived by his wife and their daughter, and by his adopted son, he died on 4 January 1967 at his Vaucluse home and was buried in South Head cemetery with Catholic rites. His estate was sworn for probate in Canberra at $3,844,672.

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NOEL DIGGER McGROWDIE

Noel Leonard McGrowdie (1920–1961)

by W. Boyan This article was published: in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 15 , 2000 online in 2006 Noel Leonard McGrowdie (1920-1961), jockey, was born on Christmas Day 1920 at Breakfast Creek, Brisbane, fifth child of native-born parents Charles Christopher McGrowdie, a jockey who had become a racehorse-trainer, and his wife Alice Josephine, née Brown. After his father moved his business to Toowoomba, Noel helped around the stables. At the age of 7 he started to win show events and from 11 drove cattle during his holidays. He completed his schooling at St Mary's Christian Brothers' College and was apprenticed as a 14-year-old to Les Roberts, a horse-trainer at Toowoomba. His indentures were later transferred to the leading Brisbane trainer George Anderson. McGrowdie was so small and thin that Anderson 'set him to digging in the garden every spare moment to build up his muscles—and the other boys soon lighted on the name ‘Digger'.

The nickname stuck among the racing fraternity, and the digging paid off.

McGrowdie became a 'pocket dynamo' of a jockey. In 1936 he won his first race, leading all the way on Thought Reader in the Tattersall's Handicap. He was TURF MONTHLY 29

rejected for military service in World War II because of his size; the manpower authorities put him to work on the wharfs and allowed him to ride locally. Keen to try his fortune in Sydney, he moved there on being released from duties in 1943.

At the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Randwick, on 7 September 1946 he married Marcia Therese Simon with Catholic rites.

A vigorous, lightweight jockey, McGrowdie was first past the post in most of Australia's top races, over all distances. In Brisbane he won the Doomben Cup (1943), Doomben Ten Thousand (1947, 1951 and 1952), Brisbane Cup (1947 and 1950) and Stradbroke Handicap (1952). In Sydney he took the Epsom Handicap (1943), Metropolitan (1944, 1945 and 1957), Australian Jockey Club Derby (1947), Sydney Cup (1951, 1952 and 1958) and Doncaster Handicap (1955 and 1958).

And in Melbourne he was victorious in the Oakleigh Plate (1948, 1954 and 1956) and the Victoria Racing Club's Newmarket Handicap (1954). Riding Straight Draw (which started at 13/2), he won the Melbourne Cup in 1957. He triumphed in twenty-seven other cup races on tracks between Rockhampton in Central Queensland and Wagga Wagga in southern New South Wales.

Having contracted to ride in Singapore and in the Malayan cities of Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and Penang, McGrowdie took his family to Singapore in January 1961.

His fifty-nine victories in his first season—including the Singapore Gold Cup and the Selangor Cup—established him as the top jockey on the circuit. He won the sultan's gold vase at Ipoh in September 1961 and was heading the premiership in his second season when he was killed in a road accident on 9 September 1961 at Parit Buntar, Malaya. Survived by his wife, son and daughter, he was buried in Randwick cemetery, Sydney. His estate was sworn for probate at £20,028.

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Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954), Wednesday 9 August 1944, page 16 £600 OFFER TO "PULL" ABBEVILLE Shean, Knox Out For Two Years After Bribe Charge Probe The Newcastle Jockey Club stipendiary stewards yesterday disqualified jockeys F. Shean and A. Knox for two years following an investigation into the offer of a £600 bribe to jockey N. McGrowdie to "pull" Abbeville in the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle on July 29.

Knox walked across to McGrowdie and called him an informer as they left the A.J.C. office yesterday after the disqualification had been imposed. Shean caught Knox by the arm and pulled him away.

Riders Protest Innocence Knox and Shean both protested their innocence after leaving the stewards' room.

Shean will appeal against his sentence. Knox, who said he had intended to retire from racing shortly, said he would consider whether he would lodge an appeal.

McGrowdie won the race on Abbeville by a short head from Hall Stand, ridden by Shean. Knox's mount, Precise, was fourth. The stewards probed alleged discussions between the three jockeys before the race. McGrowdie had told Abbeville's trainer, Tom McGrath, that an attempt had been made to "get at" him. After the race

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McGrowdie's charge was reported to a club official. He communicated the details to the stipendiary stewards (Messrs. P. J. Ryan and R. Mitchell) for investigation.

Big Doubles Abbeville was hot favorite for the Cameron. He had been coupled heavily in doubles with fancied Newcastle Cup horses. He was linked with Lord Neith, Shining Night, and Russia (winner) each for £20,000. Evidence at yesterday's two-hour inquiry suggested that Shean and McGrowdie were each offered £600 to "pull" Hall Stand and Abbeville. Hall Stand was second favorite for the Cameron at 4 to 1, and was heavily involved in doubles and straight-out bets. Rule 210, under which Shean and Knox were disqualified, states: "The stewards may disqualify . . . any person who may corruptly give, or offer, any money, share in a bet, or other benefit to . . . any jockey." Mr. Ryan said at the conclusion of yesterday's inquiry that McGrowdie's disclosure concerning the alleged bribe removed any sinister suggestion from the actual running of the race. "From our observation, the Cameron Handicap was truly run," he said. "Each horse was allowed to run on its merits. The finish supports this conviction. "Abbeville and Hall Stand fought it out over the last one and a half furlongs, and flashed over the line head and head with Rex Pelt (third) and Knox's mount, Precise, right on top of them." Mr. Ryan said that stewards had commended McGrowdie for reporting the matter to his employer. McGrowdie had been referred to as an "informer," but it was his duty to protect the connections of Abbeville and the public. McGrowdie backed up his charge at the inquiry with convincing testimony, he added.

Will Absolve Shean Mr. Ryan said no appeals against the disqualifications had yet been lodged. The jockeys have three days in which to lodge these. After the disqualification Shean said: "I got the shock of my life when I found I was involved. "I thought I had been called to the inquiry to give formal evidence. "It was a bombshell when Mr. Ryan said I had been given two years. I could hardly believe my ears. "I will certainly appeal." Knox said: "I may appeal in an attempt to clear my name. "Whether I do or not, I have advised Shean to appeal. "I have told him that I will give evidence in his support. "I feel this will absolve him at the hearing." Mr. Ryan said yesterday that if appeals are lodged they will not come before any Newcastle tribunal but will be heard by the A.J.C. committee. Next A.J.C. committee meeting is on Friday week, August 18.

Barred From Meetings The disqualification, is binding on all racing clubs. Shean and Knox will not be permitted to enter any racecourse in' Australia. Knox and Shean are reported to be wealthy men. Knox, aged 40 years, has been riding in Sydney for 26 years, first under the A.J.C., then as a pony jockey, and again under the A.J.C. when pony clubs merged. He topped the jockeys' winning list in 1936. He won a Melbourne Cup (1940) on Old Rowley, Caulfield Cups on Denis Boy (1931) and Journal (1934), A.J.C. Derbies on Homer and Talking, Australian Cup on Topical, last year's Williamstown Cup on Claudette, and a Cantala Stakes on Dermid. He also won both Legers on Allunga. Shean has been recognised as one of the soundest "money" riders on the Turf. Some huge betting coups have resulted from his wins in minor as well as important events. Shean's Melbourne Cup winner, Catalogue, started at 25 to 1, and Knox's (Old Rowley) at 100 to 1. Fred Shean rode in Queensland as a youth. He is 36 years of age. He won the Epsom on King's Head, Gimcrack on Merry Smile, Melbourne Cup on Catalogue, Caulfield Cup on Buzalong, and the Williamstown Cup and Eclipse Stakes on Manolive TURF MONTHLY 32

Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954), Friday 18 August 1944, page 16 KNOX'S PENALTY INCREASED TO 10 YEARS Shean's 2 Years Unchanged; Abbeville Bribe Case Climax The A.J.C. committee yesterday increased to 10 years a two years' disqualification imposed on jockey A. Knox by Newcastle stipendiary stewards. Knox was disqualified for his part in the offer of a £600 bribe to jockey N. McGrowdie to "pull" the favorite, Abbeville. in the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle on July 29. The committee confirmed the stewards' conviction of jockey F. Shean as a partner in the same bribe attempt, but his punishment was not increased beyond the original two years' disqualification. As he walked out of the committee- room, Knox said: "I was rail-roaded by jockeys I thought pals, and crucified by the A.J.C. Committee."

"They've Done Something Dreadful To Me" Knox will be 50 years old when his sentence expires. It is certain he will never ride again. Appeals of the two jockeys were dismissed after an 85 minutes' hearing.

McGrowdie won the Cameron on Abbeville. Shean was second, on Hall Stand, beaten only half a head. Knox's mount, Precise, finished fourth less than a length behind the winner. Newcastle stewards alleged that Knox conveyed to Shean an offer to pull Hall Stand. It was also found that Shean was empowered to make a similar offer to McGrowdie, rider of Abbeville. The £600 bribes were each to be increased to £1000 if Knox's mount, Precise, won.

Knox Knox walked out of the A.J.C. offices hitting his thigh with a folded newspaper, like a jockey's whip. Every time he hit his leg he kept saying: "I can't understand this. I didn't deserve it. They've done something dreadful to me."

"Never Ride Again" To a Pressman's query, he replied: "They put 10 years on me. "I will never ride again.

I contemplated retiring at the end of this season. "Ten years' disqualification means I will be too old to resume. "I am terribly upset going out this way after 26 years' good riding on the Turf." Knox explained his charge that he had been railroaded thus: "When the jockeys were called before the committee they were heard separately. "I

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was not properly acquainted with the statements of other jockeys so that I could cross-question them fully. "This put me in a false position. I had no hope of getting out. Knox has been manpowered as a pastry-cook for the last 12 months. He said last night: "I have no immediate plans. I suppose I will remain a pastry-cook for the duration." Knox is lightest of the older jockeys on the Turf. He weighs only seven stone. He is happily married and the father of two children. Shean seemed dazed as he left the committee room after the dismissal of his appeal. He said: "I was amazed at the decision. "The evidence proved that I was involved in the attempted bribery by no action of my own. "I tried for my life to win the race.

Shean's Wife III "I merely interrogated McGrowdie as to whether he had been made an offer regarding Abbeville. "At the same time, I suggested that he should refuse any attempt to get him to 'pull' the horse. "Apparently these admissions got me into the trouble. I have gone out although I am innocent." "I have made no plans for the future. I will discuss with my wife what we will do." Shean is 39 years of age. He began riding in Queensland. He has one son (Jim), aged eight years. He is a wealthy man, who has husbanded his Turf winnings. Shean hurried home from the committee hearing because he said his wife had been desperately sick as a result of worry over his disqualification 10 days ago. Shean called C. McLoughlin. trainer of Hall Stand, to give evidence on his behalf at yesterday's appeal. McLoughlin told committeemen that he discussed Hall Stand's prospects with Shean five minutes before he legged him up on the horse. McLoughlin said he told Shean that the owners of the horse had decided to bet lightly because Hall Stand had drawn an outside barrier position.

"However, I told Shean that £200 had been invested by the owners to provide him and the stable with presents," McLoughlin added. "I consider Shean tried to win on Hall Stand as hard as I have ever seen a jockey do. "Even when Hall Stand seemed well beaten a furlong from the finish, Shean rode desperately in a final effort to snatch a win. "Once in the last 50 yards I thought he would get up again." Mr. Geo. Main, A.J.C. chairman, said after the case yesterday that Knox's 10 years was the heaviest sentence imposed on a jockey in his eight years' chairmanship. Asked if he would make a statement explaining the reason for such a heavy sentence, he said: "It was arrived at in committee. "I am not in a position to disclose the facts. "All I can say is that Knox's offence was regarded as very serious. I cannot disclose further information." Shean and Knox will not be permitted to enter any racecourse in Australia until their term of disqualification has expired. Knox won a Melbourne Cup on Old Rowley, Caulfield Cups on Denis Boy and Journal, A.J.C. Derbies on Homer and Talking, an Australian Cup on Topical, and a Victoria Derby on Talking.

Shean has ridden winners of most of the big races, including the Melbourne Cup (1938) on Catalogue, Caulfield Cup (1938) on Buzalong, and the Metropolitan (1941) on Dashing Cavalier.

TURF MONTHLY 35