Spring Racing

Spring racing at Homebush

One of the first racecourses in regular use was Homebush.

One of the first racecourses in regular use was Homebush. First used in February 1841, 5000 people attended the race day. The meetings were organised by the Australian Racing Committee and taken over by the Australian Jockey Club in 1842. Homebush was initially chosen as a central location for owners and spectators. The land was owned by W. C. Wentworth, who had been actively involved in racing for many years.

Image: Homebush spring racing programme, printed on silk, 1841, ATC Heritage Collection

The Member's Cup

The Member's Cup in 1865 was an early example of spring innovation.

In 1865, during the spring meeting, an unusual race was run. Spring meetings have a mix of classic races and opportunities for exciting new ones, as with the recent introduction of The Everest and The Golden Eagle. The Member's Cup in 1865 was an early example of spring innovation. The Cup was won by Lamiel ridden by Captain Purcell. The race was held over 1 ½ miles and was only for gentlemen riders who were members of the AJC. A Mr Matthews won the race on Warwick, but it was later found that the horse's age had been mistaken and the race was instead given to Purcell and Lamiel.

Image: The 1865 Member’s Cup, Stephen Smith

Beauford and Gloaming

1922 saw the budding rivalry that bloomed between Beauford (a gelding from Newcastle) and Gloaming (also a gelding, from New Zealand).

1922 saw crowds of racegoers returning to the course. An unexpected treat that spring, was the budding rivalry that bloomed between Beauford (a gelding from Newcastle) and Gloaming (also a gelding, from New Zealand). The rivalry between the two captured the public imagination as they came together in a series of weight for age clashes. They had both built up strong reputations separately and with a hint of cross the seas rivalry, their owners encouraged the battles. After the four races in which they clashed, they ended with wins of two apiece.

Image: Spring Stakes finish between Beauford and Gloaming, 1922, Martin Stainforth

Spring Fashion

Changes in fashion are reflected at the racecourse as are the challenges to tradition.

Fashion is an important part of the race day experience. Getting dressed for the races has been used in advertising and as a means of encouraging people to the track. Changes in fashion are reflected at the racecourse as are the challenges to tradition. The most known example of this being the appearance of Jean Shrimpton at Flemington in 1965 in a mini-skirt, an event that made international headlines.

Image: Betty McInerney (left) with professional model, spring 1958, ensemble by Madame Zita, unknown photographer

Fashion Statements

Spring fashion allows for a freer expression from the more muted tones of autumn.

Spring allows for a freer expression from the more muted tones of autumn. Bold and bright colours, florals and of course the hat are common sights at the course. In more recent times, bigger can be better. Bold statements with accessories as well as the dress or suit itself tap into the celebration of spring.

Image: Epsom Day, fashion at large, 5 October 1995, Bradley Photographers

Celebrating Spring

Badges are an important way that people were recognised on course.

Badges are an important way that people were recognised on course. They denoted access to certain areas, distinguished members from the public and officials from journalists. But as well as the official purpose of these badges, there were some created for celebratory purposes. Badges celebrating the spring carnival at the Royal Randwick Racecourse were made and given out for people to wear.

Image: Spring carnival badges from 1995 and 1999, ATC Heritage Collection

A day at the races

To keep track of what's happening at the races, a race book is an essential purchase.

To keep track of what's happening at the races, a race book is an essential purchase. Details of all the races happening and any other events during the day are captured in the race book.

Image: Race books from the ATC Heritage Collection

The Princess Series

In the 2000s, a Princess Series points system was introduced.

The race books captured each leg of the Princess Series journey, allowing race goers to keep up with what race was running when. Then in the 2000s, a points system was introduced. First placed gave the horse seven points, second three and third one. As the legs of the race built up, a scoring chart was included in the race book.

Image: Princess Series points page, race book 2015

Danarani

Danarani won the Furious Stakes, Tea Rose Stakes and Flight Stakes in 1994.

Danarani sired by Danehill (USA) from Vaguely Modest (CAN), won the Furious Stakes, Tea Rose Stakes and Flight Stakes in 1994 but missed out on the Silver Shadow Stakes to complete the quartet. Kevin Moses rode her to her three Princess Series successes and she was trained by Bart Cummings.

Image: Danarani racing, Bradley Photographers

Victory Vein

In 2002, Victory Vein won the Silver Shadow Stakes, Furious Stakes and Tea Rose Stakes.

In 2002, Victory Vein stepped up to win the Silver Shadow Stakes, Furious Stakes and Tea Rose Stakes, just missing out on the Flight Stakes to Royal Purler. Sired by Mr Henrysee (USA) from Protective, Victory Vein was ridden by D. Beasley and trained by Bede Murray.

Image: Victory Vein winning the Sweet Embrace Stakes, 2002, Bradley Photographers

Silver Shadow

Silver Shadow was a grey filly foaled in 1972 by Minor Portion (IRE) from La Broche.

Silver Shadow was a grey filly foaled in 1972 by Minor Portion (IRE) from La Broche. As a two-year-old she won three races including the Black Opal Stakes in Canberra. As a three-year-old she finished 2nd to Rosie Heir in the 1975 Hobartville Stakes, followed by an attractive win in the Warwick Stakes, defeating two top class gallopers Leica Lover and Leilani. She had only a few more starts in Melbourne finishing her career with an unplaced run in the 1975 VRC Oaks. Silver Shadow was trained by T. J. Smith.

Image: Silver Shadow third in 2 Year Old Maiden Handicap at Hawkesbury, 1956, C. J. Bickley & Son

Silver Shadow, foaled 1972

Silver Shadow, foaled 1972

Silver Shadow Stakes sash 1986

Silver Shadow Stakes sash 1986

Silver Shadow raced for two seasons. From 11 starts she had four wins. As a two year old, she won all three of her starts.
• 25 January 1975 – won, Sledmere Handicap at Randwick Racecourse
• 16 February 1975 – won, Black Opal Stakes at Canberra Race Club
• 26 July 1975 – won, Watson’s Bay Handicap at Randwick Racecourse
• 23 August 1975 – won, Warwick Stakes at Warwick Farm

Furious

Furious (The Welkin – Danaide), foaled in 1918, was successful as a maiden, with her first start win in the Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick in 1920 as a two-year-old. In a few short days in 1921, she won the Sires Produce Stakes and the Champagne Stakes. And in Victoria for spring she won the Victoria Derby and the Oaks Stakes, having started but not placed in the Melbourne Cup a few days earlier. She raced regularly until as a five year old, she had her last start in the Rosehill Handicap and soon after died of an infection.

Furious, foaled 1918

Over her career, Furious had 40 starts, with 13 wins.
• 6 October 1920 – win, Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick Racecourse
• 29 January 1921 – win, Juvenile Stakes at Rosehill Racecourse
• 26 March 1921 – win, Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick Racecourse
• 28 March 1921 – win, Champagne Stakes at Randwick Racecourse
• 17 September 1921 – win, Rosehill Guineas at Rosehill Racecourse
• 8 October 1921 – win, Clibborn Stakes at Randwick Racecourse
• 29 October 1921 – win, Victoria Derby at Flemington Racecourse
• 3 November 1921 – win, Oaks Stakes at Flemington Racecourse
• 4 March 1922 – win, St Leger Stakes at Flemington Racecourse
• 26 August 1922 – win, Liverpool Handicap at Warwick Farm Racecourse
• 10 March 1923 – win, Rydalmere Mile at Rosehill Racecourse
• 17 March 1923 – win, Rawson Stakes at Rosehill Racecourse
• 7 April 1923 – win, Final Handicap at Randwick Racecourse

Furious, collection item

Image: Notice of the death of Furious, newspaper clipping, 3/12/1923

Tea Rose

Tea Rose, foaled in 1941 by Mr Standfast from Tea Table, was the winner of the AJC Derby in 1944 making her the first filly to win the Derby since 1898, when it was won by Picture. Tea Rose was owned by Messrs W. Devon and A. G. Anderson. Anderson also trained her. Over her 28 starts she had six wins. As well as the AJC Derby she had wins in the Rosehill Guineas and the Craven Stakes.

Image: Tea Rose and Harry Dark, unknown photographer

Tea Rose, foaled 1941

From 28 starts, Tea Rose had six wins.
• 6 November 1943 – win, Two year old Stakes at Ascot Racecourse
• 29 July 1944 – win, Nursery Handicap at Victoria Park Racecourse
• 9 September 1944 – win, Canterbury Stakes at Canterbury Park Racecourse
• 23 September 1944 – win, Rosehill Guineas at Rosehill Racecourse
• 7 October 1944 – win, Craven Plate at Randwick Racecourse
• 14 October 1944 – win, AJC Derby at Randwick Racecourse

Tea Rose, collection item

Image: Tea Rose name approval, 1943

Flight

Flight (Royal Step – Lambent), was picked out of the 1942 Inglis sale catalogue by Brian Crowley, and went on to become a favourite with race goers. A bargain at 60 guineas, Flight had Heroic in her bloodlines through her sire Royal Step. She was named just after Crowley’s son went into the air force and stepped out onto the track at a time when the crowds were starting to return after the deprivations of war.

Image: Flight, 1940, I. Forbes McLaren

Flight

Image: Flight with jockey abroad returning to scale, unknown photographer

Flight, foaled 1940

Trained by Frank Nowland, Flight won her first race – the December Nursery Handicap at Randwick. Over her racing career she had 24 wins from a total of 65 starts. Clashes with greats such as Bernborough emphasised her courage and determination. For example, their battle in the 1946 Chipping Norton Stakes, was a moment to remember. Though Bernborough dwarfed the little mare, she kept pace with him and went down by a head in a time only once before bettered on the course, with Russia ten lengths behind in third.

During her racing career, Flight had a total of 65 starts with 24 wins.
• 19 December 1942 – win, December Nursery Handicap at Randwick
• 30 January 1943 – win, Havilah Handicap at Randwick
• 27 March 1943 – win, Nursery Handicap at Rosehill
• 24 April 1943 – win, Champagne Stakes at Randwick
• 31 July 1943 – win, Juvenile Handicap at Randwick
• 21 August 1943 – win, Hobartville Stakes at Randwick
• 9 October 1943 – win, Craven Plate at Randwick
• 15 January 1944 – win, Lord Mayor’s Cup at Randwick
• 22 January 1944 – win, Adrian Knox Stakes at Randwick
• 29 January 1944 – win, Australia Day Handicap at Randwick
• 18 March 1944 – win, Quality Handicap at Randwick
• 2 September 1944 – win, Warwick Stakes at Randwick
• 14 October 1944 – win, Colin Stephen Stakes at Randwick
• 6 October 1945 – win, Craven Plate at Randwick
• 13 October 1945 – win, Phar Lap Handicap at Randwick
• 27 October 1945 – win, W. S. Cox Plate at Moonee Valley
• 9 February 1946 – win, C. F. Orr Stakes at Moonee Valley
• 16 February 1946 – win, St George Stakes at Flemington
• 2 March 1946 – win, Essendon Stakes at Flemington
• 9 March 1946 – win, C. M. Lloyd Stakes at Flemington
• 27 April 1946 – win, AJC Plate at Randwick
• 26 October 1946 – win, W. S. Cox Plate at Moonee Valley
• 2 November 1946 – win, L. K. S. Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington
• 1 March 1947 – win, Essendon Stakes at Flemington

Race Statistics

In 2019, Libertini broke the Silver Shadow Stakes race record, coming in with the fastest winning time of 01:07.9.

Image: Libertini winning the Silver Shadow Stakes, 2019, Bradley Photographers

Silver Shadow Stakes

More often than not, racing is all about the family. Whether it is the horses or the people, family connections appear regularly. In the Silver Shadow Stakes, there are several examples of these connections:
• In 1984, M. G. Lees trained the winner Satin Sand and then in 2008 his son Kris Lees trained the winner Samantha Miss.
• In 1985, T. J. Smith trained the winner Shankhill Lass and his daughter Gai Waterhouse trained the winners Ha Ha (2001) and Speak Fondly (2015).
• In 1996, Bart Cummings trained the winner Cashier, with his son Anthony Cummings training the 2019 winner Libertini.

Image: Gai Waterhouse and T. J. Smith interviewed by John Tapp, 1990s, unknown photographer

Silver Shadow Stakes

Several trainers have notched up three wins in the Silver Shadow Stakes. Among them is Chris Waller. Champion trainer with wins in 2009 with Deer Valley, 2016 with Omei Sword and in 2018 with Fiesta.

Image: Chris Waller receiving the trophy for his 2016 win in the Silver Shadow Stakes, Bradley Photographers

Silver Shadow Stakes

Successful jockeys in the Silver Shadow have included L. Dittman and Kerrin McEvoy. Jim Cassidy began his Silver Shadow success in 1987 with Soda Springs (NZ). His lengthy race career is demonstrated by further wins in 2001 on Ha Ha and in 2013 on Thump.

Image: Jim Cassidy after his win on Thump in 2013, Bradley Photographers

Furious Stakes

In 2013, Bound For Earth came in with the fastest winning time of 01:09.1.

Image: Bound For Earth returning to scale, 2013, Steve White

Furious Stakes

Jim Cassidy was also successful in the Furious Stakes with four wins. Hugh Bowman took over his record with four wins that began in 2008 with his win on Samantha Miss. Bowman had further wins on Streama in 2011, Winx in 2014 and Foxplay in 2016.

Image: Hugh Bowman aboard Foxplay after Furious win in 2016, Bradley Photographers

Furious Stakes

T. J. Smith is the clear success story in the Furious Stakes with eight wins to his name. Over a long career with a record number of trainer’s premierships, Smith started his connection with the Furious Stakes with a win in 1960 with Luna Park (NZ). He continued with Enfold in 1963 Enfold, Royal Choice in 1965, Peace Prize 1966, and Dawn’s Pride in 1968. Then in 1976 he won with Vain Queen, and rounded out his success with a double – Moonamby Tops 1983 and Regal Presence (NZ) 1984.

Image: T. J. Smith at a Premiership presentation, 1980s, unknown photographer

Furious Stakes, Seconds and Thirds

The placings across the races in the series throw up recognisable names. In 1989, A Little Kiss (NZ) was third in the Furious Stakes but would go on to win the Flight Stakes. Triscay, in 1990, had won the Silver Shadow Stakes but came in second in the Furious and would triumph again in the Flight. Skating had started the series with a win in the Silver Shadow in 1992 and then came second in the Furious. Assertive Lass lost out to Dashing Eagle in the Furious in 1996, but came through for the win in the Tea Rose and then dead heated with Dashing Eagle in the Flight. Ha Ha managed three out of the four in the series. Her third place in the Furious in 2001 lost her the quadruple.

Image: Triscay after her Oaks win, 1991, unknown photographer

Tea Rose Stakes

Guelph holds the record of the fastest winning time, which she set in 2013. Guelph would go on to win the Flight Stakes as well.

Image: Guelph winning the Tea Rose Stakes, 2013, Bradley Photographers

Tea Rose Stakes, margin

The largest winning margin was set by Angst in 1993 with five lengths between her and second placed Sashed (NZ). Sunline (NZ) challenged this in 1998 with her four length win.

Image: Sunline after Coolmore Classic win, 2002, Bradley Photographers

Tea Rose Stakes, jockey

Jockey Larry Cassidy has three wins in the Tea Rose Stakes. His success started with a double – a win on Stella Cadente in 1997 and on Sunline (NZ) in 1998. He then piloted Unworldly to her win in 2000. Cassidy was also aboard Sunline and Unworldly when they had their wins in the Furious Stakes and the Flight Stakes.

Image: Larry Cassidy at Rosehill, 2002, Bradley Photographers

Tea Rose, trainer

Following in the footsteps of her father, top trainer Gai Waterhouse has seven wins in the Tea Rose Stakes. These began in 1996 with Assertive Lass, then in 1999 with Danglissa, and 2001 she trained Ha Ha to three of the four races in the series. In 2003, Shamekha won for Waterhouse, then 2006 Cheeky Choice, 2009 More Joyous (NZ), and in 2010 More Strawberries took out both the Furious and the Tea Rose Stakes.

Image: Gai Waterhouse after her Metropolitan win, 1996, Bradley Photographers

Flight Stakes

Only A Lady holds the record for fastest time in the race from her win in 1997, 01:34.2.

Image: Only A Lady wins the Flight Stakes, 1997, Bradley Photographers

Flight Stakes, dead heat

With race finish camera technology improving all the time, it is unusual to get a dead heat in the modern era. However, in 1996 the margin between Dashing Eagle and Assertive Lass in the Flight Stakes was too close to call.

Image: Dashing Eagle and Assertive Lass cross together in the Flight Stakes, 1996, Bradley Photographers

Flight Stakes, jockey

With a longer history than the others in the series, George Moore had his eight wins in the Flight Stakes before the series gained ground.
• Redeswood (1953)
• Hoa Hine (NZ) (1961)
• Jan’s Image (1962)
• Reveille (1964)
• Candy Floss (1966)
• Flying Fable (1968)
• Natal Lass (1969)
• Better Gleam (NZ) (1971)

Image: George Moore, unknown photographer

Flight Stakes, trainer

As the Flight Stakes has a longer history than others in the series, successful trainers include F. C. Allsop and E. D. Lawson who start in the 1950s. T. J. Smith and Gai Waterhouse top the leader board with twelve and nine wins respectively. And J. B. Cummings has five wins in the Flight Stakes, one of which was achieved with his grandson James Cummings with Norzita in 2012. Cummings had his first with Cap D’Antibes in 1974, then with Apollua in 1976, Sun Sally in 1977, and Danarani in 1994.

Image: Bart Cummings with owner Dato Tan Chin Nam after Danarani's Flight Stakes win, 1994, Bradley Photographers

Flight Stakes, dam

While sires are often celebrated for numerous winning progeny, it is less usual for dams to turn up in more than one winning pedigree. In the Flight Stakes, this occurs twice. Miss Pilot was the dam of winner Flying Gauntlet in 1967, and the dam of the winner Flying Fable, 1968. Then La Caissiere who won the Flight Stakes in 1983, then appears as the dam of winner Dashing Eagle in 1996.

Image: Flying Gauntlet with jockey D.Forde aboard, unknown photographer

Bounding Away

Sired by Biscay (Star Kingdom) from Who Can Say (NZ), Bounding Away was bred, owned and trained by T. J. Smith. Successful as a two year old, Bounding Away had a Golden Slipper win to her name as well as the Champagne Stakes. She continued her racing success with a win in the Flight Stakes in 1986 and the AJC Oaks in 1987. In 1986, each race in the Princess Series was won by a different horse. On retiring from racing, Bounding Away produced winning progeny In A Bound.

Image: Bounding Away racing in the Flight Stakes, 1986, unknown photographer

Triscay

Triscay had Star Kingdom in her bloodlines through her sire Marscay. Foaled in 1987, she began her racing career with wins in the Silver Slipper Stakes and Widden Stakes in 1989. She continued her two year old success with the Champagne Stakes in 1990. Triscay secured the Silver Shadow Stakes but couldn’t quite cross in the Furious and Tea Rose. L. Dittman got her across the line in the Flight Stakes giving her two out of four. Further racing wins included the AJC Oaks and the Queensland Oaks as well as the Queensland Guineas, and Apollo Stakes.

Image: Triscay racing in the AJC Oaks, 1991, Bradley Photographers

Ha Ha

Trained by Gai Waterhouse, Ha Ha had given Waterhouse a history making Golden Slipper Stakes win as a two year old. Waterhouse trained the first three placegetters as Ha Ha was joined at the finishing line by Excellerator and Red Hannigan. In the new season, Ha Ha took line honours in the Silver Shadow, Tea Rose and the Flight Stakes. Jim Cassidy piloted her to all three wins but didn’t quite manage to get her through in the Furious Stakes where they finished third behind Hosannah and Moonflute.

Image: Ha Ha with Jim Cassidy at Rosehill, 2002, Bradley Photographers

Alizee

Sharing the Princess series in 2017 was Alizee and Formality. Formality, with Kerrin McEvoy aboard, won the Silver Shadow Stakes and the Furious Stakes, while Alizee, ridden by Glen Schofield, took out the Tea Rose and the Flight. Trained by James Cummings for Godolphin, Alizee was foaled in 2014 by Sepoy, out of Essaouira. Retired after the autumn carnival in 2020, she had 10 wins over a career of 29 starts. Other of her wins included the Light Fingers, Queen of the Turf, the Expressway, the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield, the Missile Stakes and the Apollo Stakes.

Image: Alizee racing in the Flight Stakes, 2017, Bradley Photographers

Quadrouple Success, Angst

Angst had a short racing life over two seasons. She started out on Provincial tracks at Newcastle and Wyong with a couple of wins as a two year old. After a second in the Wellington Boot and a fourth at Newcastle, her trainer N. Mayfield-Smith took her to the city. As a three year old she had five starts and five wins. The four races of the Princess Series were complimented by Angst’s first up win at Rosehill.

Image: Angst with strapper after her Furious Stakes win, 1993, Steve Hart

Angst was foaled in 1990 / race wins

bred by G. R. Murphie, based in NSW

During her racing career, Angst had a total of 10 starts with seven wins.

• 13 February 1993 – win, 2 Year Old Class D Handicap, Newcastle
• 25 February 1993 – win, 2 Year Old Class D Handicap, Wyong
• 8 August 1993 – win, 3 Year Old RST Handicap, Rosehill
• 21 August 1993 – win, Silver Shadow Stakes, Randwick
• 4 September 1993 – win, Furious Stakes, Randwick
• 18 September 1993 – win, Tea Rose Stakes, Rosehill
• 2 October 1993 – win, Flight Stakes, Randwick

Angst, collection items

With her Princess Series success, Angst had a Quality Handicap named after her, for mares four years old and up. It began in 1994, becoming a Group 3 race in 2013 and can be considered as a guide to later spring races that feature mares. In 2017, Ron Quinton quinellad the race with his top mares Dixie Blossoms and Daysee Doom.

Image: First winner of the Angst Handicap, Sky Watch crossing the finishing post, 1994, Bradley Photographers

Samantha Miss

Samantha Miss was purchased by Kris Lees for R. W. Croghan at the 2007 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She had two seasons of successful racing, partnering with Hugh Bowman for all save one of her starts, when she was ridden by Glen Boss to a third place in the 2008 Cox Plate. Samantha Miss had a first start win in the Wattle Grove Handicap at Randwick. She just missed out on the Sires Produce Stakes but came through for the win in the Champagne Stakes. Her clean sweep of the Princess Series was the highlight of her career.

Image: Samantha Miss winning the Flight Stakes, 2008, Bradley Photographers

Samantha Miss, was foaled in 2005

Samantha Miss, race wins

From her racing career of 12 starts, she had seven wins and four placings, never finishing outside the top four.

• 12 March 2008 – win, Wattle Grove Handicap at Randwick Racecourse
• 3 May 2008 – win, Champagne Stakes at Randwick Racecourse
• 23 August 2008 – win, Silver Shadow Stakes at Warwick Farm Racecourse
• 9 September 2008 – win, Furious Stakes at Randwick Racecourse
• 20 September 2008 – win, Tea Rose Stakes at Rosehill Racecourse
• 4 October 2008 – win, Flight Stakes at Randwick Racecourse
• 6 November 2008 – win, Oaks at Flemington

Image: Regular jockey Hugh Bowman

Samantha Miss, progeny

On retirement from racing, Samantha Miss continued her success at stud with her stakes race winning progeny Miss Fabulass. Foaled in 2015, sired by Frenkel, Miss Fabulass followed in her dam’s hoofprints with a win in the Tea Rose Stakes in 2018.

Image: Miss Fabulass winning the Tea Rose Stakes, 2018, Bradley Photographers