Foundation
Of The AJC
According
to the "Sydney Morning Herald," at a meeting
held on April of 1842, it was decided to form the Australian
Jockey Club. In August of that year a meeting of the
club at the Royal Hotel appointed stewards for the forthcoming
meeting in September at Homebush.
The
stewards were Captain Sawbridge, Mr. Lawson and Mr.
Icely; Judge, Major Hunter; Clerk of the Course, Mr.
May, and Hon. Sec, Mr. W. Hunter.
At
another meeting it was resolved that jockeys be paid
the following rates:—
Rider of the winner of a £50 prize of public money
and under, £5;
a loser in a race of similar amount £3.
Winner of more than £50 of public money £10,
and a loser £5.
The
first race meeting carried out at Homebush by the A.J.C.
extended over three days, starting on September 20th,
when the first race, the Champion Cup, a sweep of 1
sovereigns, with I00 sovereigns added was won by Mr.
C. Smith's Eclipse, by Whisker (Dunn), Sir J. Jamieson's
Sir Charles second.
The
Two-year-old Stakes of 1 sovereigns for starters, with
30 sovereigns added, went to Mr. C. Roberts' President,
by Emancipation. Mr. C. Smith won the Australian Stakes
with Tranby, by Operator, also the Maiden Plate of 25
sovereigns with Chillington.
There
were two races on the second day —Tradesmen's
Purse, a sweep of 5 sovereigns, with 30 sovereigns added,
won by Mr. C. Smith's Eclipse, and a Hack Race won by
a horse owned by Major Hunter.
The
third day's programme opened with the Champagne Stakes,
a sweep of 10 sovereigns, with 75 sovereigns added,
the winner to give three dozen of champagne (heats,
twice round) ; Mr. C. Roberts' Quail, by Gratis, walked
over for it. Sir Charles, by Gratis, won the Ladies'
Purse. Claret Stakes of 10 sovereigns, with 50 sovereigns
added (heats, once round), winner to give three dozen
of claret to the ordinary. It went to Mr. C. Roberts'
Tranby,by Operator, ridden by Johnny Higgerson.
The
Beaten Stakes, won by Plutus, concluded a most successful
meeting, which was followed by a dinner at the Royal
Hotel.
