|
Martini-Henry (horse)
Martini-Henry (1880–1903) was a New Zealand thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1883 Melbourne Cup at only his second career start. He was the first New Zealand bred horse to win the race.[1] He was called one of the finest thoroughbreds ever seen in Australia at the time.[2] BackgroundMartini-Henry's sire was Musket and from Sylvia, who was by Fisherman and from Juliet, who was by Touchstone.[3] He was Sylvia's last foal and the first to establish Musket as the sire of great performers.[4] Martini-Henry was purchased by the politician James White for something over 1,000 guineas, at the time the highest price paid for a yearling.[2] Racing careerMartini-Henry's first ever race start was in the 1883 Victoria Derby. In a field of 9 runners he won by 2 lengths in the fastest Victoria Derby ever run up to that time. Just days later he competed in his second race the Melbourne Cup. In a field of twenty-nine and before a crowd estimated at 100,000 people, he started the race as the 3/1 favourite. Always well placed during the race, he came with a well-timed run and was an easy winner, again establishing a race record and became the fifth horse to win the coveted Derby/Cup double. Martini-Henry was successful in the 1884 VRC St Leger, however his final ever start came in the 1884 Caulfield Cup where he failed to finish the race due to a leg injury. The horse was saved though and retired to stud duties.[5] Stud careerAs a breeding stallion, his most notable progeny included:
Martini-Henry died at Bexley Station, Queensland on 9 May 1903 of a stomach tumour.[6] References
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
