Kingston Town Australian champion race horse

Kingston Town was foaled in 1976, and was a champion race horse in the 1980s, who won 14 Group One races, including the WS Cox Plate three times. He was sired by Bletchingly (a successful Star Kingdom line stallion), his dam the imported Ada Hunter (GER) by Andrea Mantegna (FR).

Kingston Town was bred by David Hains who eventually sold a share in him to G Monsborough and his wife. He was trained by T. J. Smith, considered one of Australia's greatest trainers, and was ridden by Malcolm Johnston for 25 of his 30 victories.

He was famous for having run last at his first start before being gelded and sent for a spell. He subsequently resumed from a spell to win first up at 100/1!

Kingston Town won 14 Group One races, the most by any Australian race horse. He won three consecutive Cox Plates (1980-1982).

The 1982 victory was marked by caller Bill Collins famous words: "Kingston Town can't win........he might win yet the champ..Kingston Town's swamping them...Kingston Town...".

Kingston Town tragically finished second to Gurner's Lane in the 1982 Melbourne Cup. He took the lead in the straight but was caught in the last few strides.

'The King' won some of Australia's greatest races including the AJC Derby, Sydney Cup, George Main Stakes and Chelmsford Stakes. His last race was also a win when he took home the Western Mail Classic in Perth in November 1982.

Sadly, he never raced again although comebacks were attempted. Kingston Town was even sent to America in an attempt to overcome his leg problems but never made it to the post in the US.

An aborted attempt at resurrecting his career was made in 1985 in Australia but he was scratched from his scheduled race and he was then retired.

Kingston Town was one the five inaugural inductees into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, alongside the other turf notables Carbine, Phar Lap, Bernborough and Tulloch.

His record was 41 starts, for 30 wins and 7 placings. Kingston Town became the first horse in Australia to win over a million dollars in prize money.

He retired with earnings of $1,605,790 in prize money, an Australian record at the time. Kingston Town was an incredibly versatile horse he had the ability to win sprint races and staying races and everything in between.

In March 1991, Kingston Town was put down after failing to recover from a leg injury suffered while frolicking in a paddock.

To view a video of Kingston Town's three Cox Plate wins click here