Martini-Henry (1880–1903) was a New Zealand thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1883 Melbourne Cup at only his second career start. He was the first New Zealand bred horse to win the race.[1] He was called one of the finest thoroughbreds ever seen in Australia at the time.[2]
Background
Martini-Henry's sire was Musket and from Sylvia, who was by Fisherman and from Juliet, who was by Touchstone.[3] He was Sylvia's last foal and the first to establish Musket as the sire of great performers.[4]
Martini-Henry was purchased by the politician James White for something over 1,000 guineas, at the time the highest price paid for a yearling.[2]
Racing career
Martini-Henry's first ever race start was in the 1883 Victoria Derby. In a field of 9 runners he won by 2 lengths in the fastest Victoria Derby ever run up to that time.
Just days later he competed in his second race the Melbourne Cup. In a field of twenty-nine and before a crowd estimated at 100,000 people, he started the race as the 3/1 favourite. Always well placed during the race, he came with a well-timed run and was an easy winner, again establishing a race record and became the fifth horse to win the coveted Derby/Cup double.
Martini-Henry was successful in the 1884 VRC St Leger, however his final ever start came in the 1884 Caulfield Cup where he failed to finish the race due to a leg injury. The horse was saved though and retired to stud duties.[5]
Stud career
As a breeding stallion, his most notable progeny included:
- Acmena - AJC Oaks (1894), Champagne Stakes (1894)
- Corvette - AJC Oaks (1891)
- Litigant - VRC Oaks (1890)
- Mons Meg - Queen's Vase (1890)
- Prelude - AJC Oaks (1890)
- Rudolph - Champagne Stakes (1889), Caulfield Guineas (1889)
- Singapore - AJC Derby (1889)
Martini-Henry died at Bexley Station, Queensland on 9 May 1903 of a stomach tumour.[6]
References
- ^ "Martini Henry wins 1883 Melbourne Cup". nzhistory.govt.nz. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ a b "A Great Racehorse". Darling Downs Gazette. Vol. XLIV, no. 10, 819. Queensland, Australia. 11 May 1903. p. 3. Retrieved 23 September 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Sporting Intelligence". Morning Bulletin. Vol. LXIV, no. 11, 6[?]1. Queensland, Australia. 11 May 1903. p. 7. Retrieved 23 September 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "In the Days of Martini-Henry". Sporting Judge. Victoria, Australia. 2 November 1914. p. 1. Retrieved 23 September 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "1883 Le Grand and Martini-Henry". kingsoftheturf.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ "Untitled". The Western Champion and General Advertiser for the Central-Western Districts. Vol. XXIII, no. 590. Queensland, Australia. 10 May 1903. p. 3. Retrieved 23 September 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
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