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In 1804 the Arabian stallion, Shark, arrived in Australia. Shark stood at the Crown Stud at Toongabbie and sired some very good
horses. One of these was the dam of Junius who, prior to 1830, was the premier racehorse. Shark's name was prominent in the pedigrees of many of the early racehorses and many of his daughters were bred back to him.
Another Arabian stallion to arrive in 1804 was White William. In 1807, Captain Sladdin's Arabian mare foaled a colt by White
William. The colt was Derwent who stood at Camden Park Stud. It was requested that those persons who were desirous of improving their breed of horses by breeding to Derwent, enter their names in a book for that purpose. Some of these pedigrees were kept and incorporated in the Australian Stud Book. Unfortunately for the Arabian breed, a decision was taken to exclude horses away from the recognized racing families. There was no central registry for Arabian horses and so these bloodlines which would have been unique Australian lines were lost, although some of them still survive in descendants still accepted in the Australian Stud book for Thoroughbred racehorses.
During this time several Arabian horses were bred in Australia which would have been eligible for registration in a purebred
Register and were listed in the Australian Stud Book for Thoroughbred racehorses. However, there was great prejudice against them. If an Arabian sire proved to be a superior sire of racehorses many doubts were cast upon his pedigree and a statement was made that he was a Thoroughbred and not an Arab. Both Hector and Glaucus were described as Thoroughbred horses and eminent judges refused to believe that they were Arabians, despite the fact that among the races that Glaucus won was the 'All Arab Cup' 1846 and he was one of the finest Arabians ever imported.
In 1872 many breeders were using Arabian horses as sires. Breeders were encouraged to put some of their largest Thoroughbred
mares to the Arabians, which if they failed as racehorses, would still be useful for improving the horse population.
In the early days of Australian racing (1800s) Arabians raced in the same races as Thoroughbreds
The winner of the 1872 Metropolitan Handicap over 16 furlongs (3200m) was Dagworth, an outstanding four year old who won in
a canter. His grand-dam was by the Arabian sire Glaucus. Among Dagworth's other notable wins were:
1872 AJC Craven Plate over 10 furlongs - (2000m)
1872 AJC Spring Stakes over 12 furlongs (2400m)
1873 AJC Plate over 24 furlongs (4800m)
1873 AJC Randwick Plate over 24 furlongs (4800m)
1873 AJC Spring Stakes over 12 furlongs (2400m)
1873 VRC Melbourne Stakes over 10 furlongs (2000m)
1874 AJC Plate over 24 furlongs (4800m)
1874 AJC Randwick Plate over 24 furlongs (4800m)
1874 VRC Melbourne Stakes over 10 furlongs (2000m)
1874 VRC Royal Park Stakes over 16 furlongs (3200m)
In 1863 the grey Arabian stallion Pegasus arrived in Australia. Among his progeny was the gelding Saladin, winner of the
1871Australian Cup over 18 furlongs (3600m) and Hotham Handicap over 1200 furlongs (2400m). Saladin was also third in the Melbourne Cup. However, his name does not appear in the records, as the judge placed another horse although he was seen to be at least half a length in front of the other horse.
By the early 1900's the Arabian had lost it's identity as a racehorse and although many Arabians were still racing they were called
Thoroughbreds. Horse racing in Australia soon become the domain of the Thoroughbred.
Come the 1980's and an attempt was made to bring the Arabians back to the racetrack. Unfortunately, by this time the
Thoroughbred was firmly entrenched as the only recognized racehorse and the Thoroughbred Racing Industry had the protection of government legislation. This meant that is was almost impossible to develop an Arabian Racing Industry. Fortunately for the Arabian breed the late 1990's welcomed a change in attitude to racing by both government and the Thoroughbred Racing Industry and Arabian horses are now once again taking their place on Australian racetracks. |
