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