Bernborough racehorse Doomben Cup winner

Bernborough (1939-1960) was an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who competed from 1941 to 1946. The bay colt by Emborough (GB) from Bern Maid by Bernard (GB), was the paternal grandson of Gainsborough, winner of the English Triple Crown in 1918.

His racing colours were orange, purple sleeves and black cap.

Bernborough was foaled at Rosalie Plains near the township of Oakey in the Darling Downs region of South East Queensland. He only raced at Toowoomba in Queensland as he was barred from racing at metropolitan tracks because of ownership doubts.

Bernborough first raced under the ownership of Mr A.E.Hadwin. Queensland trainer, J. Roberts then leased the horse.

When he was six years old he was moved to Sydney and following his sale to Sydney restaurant owner Azzalin Romano for 2,600 guineas his nominations were accepted.

Thus he began a winning streak of 15 consecutive races. His wins included the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington carrying 9 st 13 lb (63 kg) and the Doomben Cup under 10 st 11 lb (68 kg). He started 37 times for 26 wins, 2 seconds and 1 third.

On 2 November 1946 Bernborough had his last race in the LKS MacKinnon Stakes. Challenging for the lead just after entering the home straight, he suffered torn sesamoid ligaments and had to be pulled up.

The great mare Flight, who had finished second to Bernborough on many occasions, went on to win.

After recovering from his injuries, Bernborough was sold to movie producer Louis B. Mayer for 93000 guineas for stud duties in the USA where he went on to moderate success as a stallion at Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Kentucky where he sired the winners of more than $4,500,000.

He was to produce two good sons – Berseem, who was champion USA sprinter of his year – whilst another son Bernwood held the world one mile (1600 metres) record for a while.
Bernborough was one of the five inaugural inductees into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, alongside other turf notables Carbine, Phar Lap, Kingston Town and Tulloch.

He is commemorated in the township of Oakey with a life size bronze statue located outside the Jondaryan Council chambers.

Brisbane race caller Keith Noud, in his book Courses For Horses said "Bernborough was to racing what Sir Donald Bradman was to cricket, Walter Lindrum to billiards and Ben Lexcen to sailing".

Recalling his win in the 1946 Doomben 10000, Noud said "I remember that the course appeared to be covered with a slight haze and it made calling the race difficult. At the half mile post, Bernborough was third last. He was no better at the three but the Mulley switched Bernborough to the outside and he produced the greatest finish in the history of Australian racing".

In 1978 he was honoured on a postage stamp issued by Australia Post.

Emborough	Gainsborough	Bayardo
		Rosedrop
	Embarras De Richesse	Phalaris
		Enrichment
Bern Maid	Bernard	Robert Le Diable
		Red lily
	Bridesmaid	Best Man
		Bruyere

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breeder : Estate of Harry J. Winten, Rosalie Plains, Oakey, Qld
Owner : 1) Frank & John R. Bach, AE Hadwin then 2) Azzalin O. Romano
Cost : Frank Bach paid 150 guineas for Bern Maid with Bernborough as a foal at foot. 2,600 guineas as a 6YO to Romano
Trainer : Harry Plant
Jockey : Athol Mulley (15)

Race Winning Record For Bernborough

WON   7-Feb-42   Toowoomba Maiden Hcp    5f
WON   21-Mar-42   Toowoomba Fifth Division Hcp    5.5f
WON   4-Apr-42   Toowoomba 2YO Hcp   5f
WON   16-May-42    Toowoomba 2YO Hcp   5.5f
WON   1-Aug-42    Toowoomba Third Division   6f
WON   23-Jan-43   Toowoomba First Division   7f
WON   13-Feb-43    Toowoomba First Division   7f
WON   4-Apr-43   Toowoomba First Division   7f
WON   11-Nov-44    Toowoomba Spring Hcp   7f
WON   30-Jun-45    Toowoomba Flying Hcp   6f
WON   30-Jun-45    Toowoomba Park Hcp   9f
WON   22-Dec-45    Randwick Villiers Stakes    8f
WON   29-Dec-45    Randwick Tattersall’s Club Carrington   6f
WON   28-Jan-46    Randwick Australia Day Hcp   7f
WON   23-Feb-46    Caulfield Futurity Stakes   7f
WON   2-Mar-46    Flemington Newmarket Hcp   6f
WON   6-Apr-46   Rosehill Rawson Stakes    9f
WON   13-Apr-46   Randwick Chipping Norton Stakes    10f
WON   22-Apr-46   Randwick All Aged Stakes    8f
WON   1-Jun-46    Doomben Ahern Quality Hcp    6.5f
WON   8-Jun-46    Doomben Doomben Cup    11f
WON   31-Aug-46   Randwick Warwick Stakes    7f
WON   14-Sep-46    Randwick Chelmsford    9f
WON   21-Sep-46    Rosehill Hill Stakes    8.5f
WON   5-Oct-46   Flemington Melbourne Stakes    8f
WON   12-Oct-46   Caulfield Caulfield Stakes   9f