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.