Sussex
1874 b h Grandmaster (GB) – Cameo
Owner
Mr. Frederick C. Goyder
Colours:
Red and white stripes, white cap
Trainer:
Messrs Cripps Bros: May 1877 – June 1878
Richard
Rowe: June 1878 – Retirement
 |
| Sussex R. Rowe |
Career Highlights
WON 18/06/1878
Warrnambool: Handicap Hurdle Race – 3 miles
WON 20/07/1878
Geelong: Geelong Hurdle Race – 2 miles
WON 05/10/1878
Flemington: Handicap Hurdle Race – 2 miles
WON 01/03/1879
Flemington: Keilor Stakes WFA – 1 ½ miles
WON 05/04/1879
Caulfield: Hurdle Race – 2 ½ miles
WON 01/07/1880
Caulfield: Maiden Steeplechase – 2 ½ miles
WON 01/07/1880
Caulfield: Victoria Gold Cup – 2 ½ miles
WON 23/07/1881
Flemington: Grand National Steeplechase – 3 miles
2nd 02/11/1878
Flemington: Essendon Stakes – 2 miles
2nd
25/10/1879 Caulfield: Spring Handicap – 1 ¼ miles & a distance
2nd
06/11/1879 Flemington: Hurdle Race – 3 miles
2nd
04/03/1880 Flemington: Corinthian Cup – 1 ½ miles & a distance
2nd
31/07/1880 Geelong: Steeplechase – 3 miles
3rd
13/09/1879 Caulfield: Railway Stakes – ¾ mile
3rd
04/10/1879 Flemington: Corinthian Flat Race – ¾ mile
3rd
31/07/1880 Geelong: Hurdle Race – 2 miles
Sussex was bred by Mr.
William J. Dangar at his Neotsfield property on the Hunter River in New South
Wales in 1874. The Grandmaster – Cameo colt was sold to hunts-racing enthusiast
and well-known publican Mr. Frederick Goyder for a reported 70 guineas.
An Englishman by birth,
Goyder named the strapping bay Grandmaster colt, Sussex, after the county in
which he was born.
As Sussex matured, he
developed into a very impressive individual and all those who saw him in those
early days were predicting great things for him when he started his racing
career.
Sussex’s hulking frame
signalled that he would not be suitable for two year old racing, so, Frederick
Goyder allowed him ample time to fully develop, with a career in jumps racing
foremost in his mind.
In early 1877, Sussex was put
in the care of the Cripps brothers, Joseph and George who trained a fair sized
team of gallopers out at Moonee Ponds.
Sussex had his first start
for the Cripps brothers in a flat race at Flemington in October 1877, where he
ran unplaced. After a spell, Sussex returned to Flemington in March 1878 where
he again ran unplaced, this time in the Hunt Club’s Corinthian Cup over 1 ½
miles & a distance (a ‘distance’ =240 yards). Sussex’s next appearance was
also at Flemington and saw his first start over the hurdles, a fifth placing in a field of eighteen in the Handicap
Hurdle Race over two miles signalled that the hype that had surrounded him in
his pre-racing days was about to be realised.
In June 1878, Sussex was
transferred to the stables of Richard Rowe, a well-known jumps trainer and
successful jumps rider, Sussex would remain with Rowe for the rest of his
racing and jumping career.
Complete Career Record
31 Starts – 8 Wins – 5 seconds – 3 thirds
3YO
8th 06/10/1877 Flemington: Handicap Flat Race – 1 mile
15 ran – 6.10 (12/1) J.
McLaughlan
1st Herschel 7.8 (4/1F) T. Hales – 2nd Activity 6.12 (5/1) J. King
3rd Ralph Leigh 7.5 (10/1) W. Everard. 2 len x 4 len.
Time 1:44
4th 07/03/1878 Flemington: Corinthian Cup – 1 ½ miles &
a distance
8 ran – 10.9 (10/1) Mr. A.
Wilson
1st Jokes 10.8 (4/1) Mr. A. F. Sullivan – 2nd Terrick Terrick 10.4
(5/1) Mr. A. Inglis
3rd Columbus 10.12 (6/4F) Mr. H. Haines. 2 len x nk.
Time 3:02 ¼
5th 24/05/1878 Flemington: Handicap Hurdle Race – 2 miles
18 ran – 8.4 (12/1) W. Boyd
1st Larrikin 9.11 (10/1) F. Hill – 2nd Welshman 9.10 (4/1F) R. Rowe
3rd Artful Joe 10.2 (12/1) H. Chifney. 3 len x 2 len.
Time 3:55
June 1878 - Sussex is transferred from
the Cripps brothers to the stables of Richard Rowe
WON 18/06/1878 Warrnambool: Handicap Hurdle Race – 3 miles
15 ran – 8.8 (10/1) R. Rowe
2nd Larrikin 10.3 (6/1) F. Hill – 3rd Gazelle 8.0 (12/1) J. Lawrence
2 len x 8 len. Time. No time
recorded
Gazelle
got well away to a bad start, followed by Starlight, Larrikin and Selim. At the
first fence, Dan Rice, Union and Ivanhoe balked, and Gazelle led over the
hurdles at the stand, followed by Starlight, Larrikin and Selim, Sussex,
Flinders, Lord Harry and Gaffer Grey. On the opposite side of the course Gaffer
closed on the leaders, and shortly afterwards led, Larrikin taking second
place, Gazelle third, and Lord Harry, Sussex, Selim, Starlight and Dutchman
immediately behind. This order was maintained until Selim balked. Gaffor Grey
never faltered in his running until the last mile was entered on, when he gave
way to Larrikin, Sussex, Gazelle and Lord Harry. Half a mile from home Lord
Harry and Gaffer Grey fell, and Sussex deprived Larrikin of the lead, taking the
lest hurdles in advance, and won easily by two lengths, Gazelle, eight lengths away
from Larrikin, third. The horses were very much distressed when they pulled np.
(The Age 19/06/1878)
WON 20/07/1878 Geelong: Geelong Hurdle Race – 2 miles
12 ran – 9.7 (2/1F) R. Rowe
2nd Lord Harry 11.0 (6/1) T. Corrigan – 3rd Monk 9.7 (10/1) J. Jones
3 len x 2 len. Time 4:12
The
horses went away to a capital start, Monk and Numa Pompilius showing in front
soon after they got away; Red Gauntlet, Veno, and Flinders were at the head of
the second division. Passing the stand, Numa Pompilius and Red Gauntlet were in
front together. Flinders, Sussex, Lord Harry, and Burnewang were following all
well together, Monk and Rover were behind. Opposite the stand Red Gauntlet was in
front, Sussex and Lord Harry were close up, Numa Pompilius and Gaffer Gray were
at the head of the others, Veno was last. Artful Joe then drew up to the
leading division. At the far turn Sussex was leading, Rover, Red Gauntlet,
Artful Joe, and Gaffer Gray were in the front, and running in that order.
Passing the scrub Sussex was still in front, Rover, Artful Joe, and Lord Harry were
next. After a good gap came Gaffer Gray and Red Gauntlet at the head of the
ruck. Sussex came home the easiest of winners, four lengths in front of Lord Harry,
Monk was a moderate third; then came Veno, Rover, Red Gauntlet, Gaffer Gray, Larrikin,
and Burnewang in that order, and well spread out.
(The Argus 22/07/1878)
4YO
WON 05/10/1878 Flemington: Handicap Hurdle Race – 2 miles
8 ran – 10.12 (1/2F) R. Rowe
2nd Stampede 8.9 (5/1) W. Enderson – 3rd Welshman 9.5 (5/1) J. Jellett
1 len x 16 len. Time 3:52 ¾
The running was commenced by Ivanhoe, with Ramrod second, but at the
earliest opportunity Ivanhoe ran round a flight of hurdles. Stampede then went
on with the running, leading into the straight, Ramrod and Welshman in
attendance, with the others behind. Coming to the hurdles at the stand Drummer
shot to the fore, and Stampede was eased off behind Ramrod, Welshman and
Burnewang. At the next turn the latter was pulled-off, and Welshman went up
second, and a little further on Sussex became third, with Stampede fourth. Thus
they travelled up the river side until Drummer resigned his lead to Welshman,
and then gave way to Sussex and Stampede, this being their order at the bridge
turn. Coming to the abattoirs Sussex deprived Welshman of the lead, and Stampede
going to the crack the pair drew right away from Welshman. The crack led down
and into the straight to the last flight of hurdles, where Stampede was on his
girths. Here he over-jumped and stumbled, losing fully a length, and allowing
Stampede for a moment to dispossess him of the lead.
Immense excitement now prevailed in the stand, amidst shouts of “the
favourite’s beaten,” but he righted again, got into a swing and fairly
outstrided Stampede, leading him past the post by a length, Welshman a bad
third, Drummer fourth.
(The Leader
12/10/1878)
NB “the crack” referred to in the summary was the favourite, Sussex
2nd 02/11/1878 Flemington: Essendon Stakes – 2 miles
7 ran – 9.0 (5/1) R. Rowe
1st Jack-A-Lantern 7.1 (4/1) T. Hales – 3rd Columbus 9.9 (4/1) M. Griffin
¾ len x 6 len. Time 3:45 ¾
DISQ 05/11/1878 Flemington: Maiden Plate – 1 ½ miles
7 ran – 9.0 (2/1F) R. Rowe
1st Andover 9.0 (7/2) P. Pigott – 2nd Zambesi 7.4 (5/1) J. Kilduff
3rd Guy Fawkes 7.4 (5/1) H. Walker. 4 len x 12 len. Time
2:40 ¾
Crichton, Guy Fawkes, Cowarie and Mesalliance also started.
There was a good start, the advantage being slightly with Crichton, who
kept in front to the bridge, where Sussex took command, with Guy Fawkes close
up. At the back of the course Andover came up and took second place. From this
the race was between Andover and Sussex, and after a splendid contest up the
straight the latter won by a bare head.
Zambesi was third, about four lengths off. A protest was entered on
behalf of Andover against the rider of Sussex, for having hit Andover across
the head with a whip. The case was proved, and the stewards disqualified Sussex
and gave the race to Andover. (The Sydney Mail & NSW
Advertiser 09/11/1878)
4th 07/11/1878 Flemington: Handicap For Four-Year-Olds – 2
miles
9 ran – 8.3 (6/1) R. Rowe
1st Swiveller 8.5 (2/1F) W. Yeomans – 2nd Glenormiston 7.6 (6/1) G.
Williams
3rd Darriwell 6.5 (6/1) S. Cracknell. 1 len x ½ len.
Time 3:36
6th 09/11/1878 Flemington: Canterbury Plate-WFA – 2 ¼ miles
7 ran – 9.0 (8/1) R. Rowe
1st Warlock 7.1 (3/1) W. Walker – 2nd Melita 6.10 (EvensF) T. Hales
3rd Cap-A-Pie 9.0 (8/1) W. Huxley. 1 len x 5 len. Time
4:07 ¾
4th 30/01/1879
Geelong: The Geelong Gold Cup – 2 miles
9 Ran – 7.8 (10/1) E. Power
1st Lord Harry 7.0 (5/1) G. Williams – 2nd Tom Kirk 7.9 (5/1) J. King
3rd Aconite 7.13 (5/2F) S. Davis. 2 len x nk. Time 3:38
4th 01/02/1879 Geelong: Geelong Handicap – 1 ½ miles
6 ran – 7.10 (5/1) E. Power
1st Lord Harry 7.7 (4/6F) T. Hales – 2nd Zambesi 5.9 (5/1) P. St.
Albans
3rd Columbus 8.0 (5/1) W. Murphy. 1 ½ len x 4 len. Time
2:40 ¼
 |
| Frederick Goyder |
WON 01/03/1879 Flemington: Keilor Stakes WFA – 1 ½ miles
4 ran – 9.0 (4/5F) P. Pigott
2nd Monarque 8.0 (2/1) J. King – 3rd Cowarie 8.0 (2/1) G. Williams
1 ¼ len x 6 len. Time 2:45 ½
Monarque jumped away with the lead, with Tidal Wave next to him and
Sussex last. The two first exchanged places after making the first turn, but
Monarque went ahead again on the river side, Cowarie taking second place and
Tidal Wave third.
Nearing the old stand Sussex passed Tidal Wave, and on they journeyed
to the abattoirs. Here Monarque and Cowarie were running together, and Sussex
third, on their quarters. Sussex now came on the outside, taking up the running
after leaving the sheds, Cowarie also passing Monarque.
The latter came again in the straight and passed Cowarie, but could not
reach Sussex who won by a length and a quarter, Cowarie a bad third six lengths
away.
(The Age 03/03/1879)
7th 06/03/1879 Flemington: Australian Cup – 2 ¼ miles
12 ran – 7.6 (6/1) P. Pigott
1st Savanaka 7.10 (2/1) T. Hales – 2nd Bosworth 7.10 (6/4F) W. Yeomans
3rd Swiveller 8.10 (10/1) W. Hickenbotham. 4 len x 4
len. Time 4:04
5th 08/03/1879 Flemington: Town Plate – 2 miles
6 ran – 9.0 (8/1) R. Rowe
1st Bosworth 7.12 (1/2F) W. Walker – 2nd Wellington 8.5 (5/1) W.
Murphy
3rd Warlock 7.12 (7/1) W. Yeomans. ¾ len x 3 len. Time
3:36 ½
 |
| Richard Rowe |
4th 17/03/1879 Kyneton: Kyneton Handicap – 1 ¾ miles
5 ran – 8.12 (6/4F) R. Rowe
1st Mountaineer 7.11 (4/1) T. Hales – 2nd Cowarie 6.12 (3/1) G.
Williams
3rd Roland 6.8 (3/1) J. Kilduff. 1 len x hd. Time 3:20
4th 18/03/1879 Kyneton: Boothholders Purse Hanhicap – 1 ¼
miles
4 ran – 9.0 (3/1) R. Rowe
1st Palmerston 7.6 (4/6F) J. Williamson – 2nd Dictator 6.12 (4/1) J.
Kilduff
3rd Ashantee 7.7 (3/1) T. Thomson. 3 len x 1 len. Time
2:16
WON 05/04/1879 Caulfield: Hurdle Race – 2 ½ miles
9 ran – 11.12 (2/1F) T.
Corrigan
2nd Dutchman 9.6 (3/1) G. Goodie – 3rd Fritz 9.11 (5/1) W. Harden
Nk x 3 len. Time 5:33 ½
All
got well away, the colours of Forester in the centre, Fritz on the outside, and
Sussex next the rails appearing most conspicuous. Ramrod then showed in
advance, but after going a few strides Dutchman ran up, and cleared the hurdles
in front of the stand with the lead of a neck, Sussex following closely.
After
rounding the first turn Sussex took up the running, and made play at a good
pace over the next hurdles just in front of Monk, Alarm, and Ramrod, while Fritz
was lagging behind. At the far side of the course Monk raced past Sussex, and
led over the hurdles there, the two last being Gorong and Fritz.
As
they came racing down to the turn for the straight Forester and Ramrod kept
creeping to the front, while Corrigan took a pull at Sussex. Forester led into
the straight, Ramrod and Monk being his immediate attendants, while the rest of
the field were well up.
Alarm
struck the hurdles at the commencement of the saddling paddock heavily, and
nearly came down.
Passing
the stand the order was – Forester, Ramrod, Dutchman, Sussex, Monk, Alarm, Fritz,
Gorong, and Left Bower. After rounding the turn Fritz commenced to improve his
position. At the far side of the course Ramrod was leading, and jumping the
hurdles there was pulled across Forester, who was driven over the wing. Here
Gorong fell. Then Dutchman held the command, Ramrod giving way beaten, while
Sussex began to close. Sussex cleared the last hurdles with a slight advantage
of Dutchman and Fritz, and coming to the Straight plainly had the race at his
mercy. Corrigan sitting perfectly still, and stalling off a determined rush on
the part of Dutchman, passed the judge an easy winner by a neck; Fritz a bad third.
Monk fourth. (The Australasian 12/04/1879)
 |
| Tommy Corrigan |
5YO
3rd 13/09/1879 Caulfield: Railway Stakes – ¾ mile
14 Ran – 8.10 (7/1) R. Rowe
1st Waxy 8.5 (6/1) W. Murphy – 2nd Dollar 8.0 (3/1F) M. O’Brien
1 ½ len x ½ len. Time 1:20
3rd 04/10/1879 Flemington: Corinthian Flat Race – ¾ mile
10 ran – 12.7 (3/1) Mr. W. Glasscock
1st Dollar 11.5 (7/4F) Mr. C. Filgate – 3rd Larpent 9.12 (12/1) Mr. J.
Crooke
1 ½ len x ½ len. Time 1:19 ½
2nd 25/10/1879 Caulfield: Spring Handicap – 1 ¼ miles & a
distance
12 ran – 8.2 (8/1) B. Colley
1st Timothy 7.12 (5/1) T. Hales – 3rd Chatterbox 6.2 (5/1) S. Cracknell
1 ½ len x 2 len. Time 2:28 ¼
2nd 06/11/1879 Flemington: Hurdle Race – 3 miles
12 ran – 12.1 (5/2F) T.
Corrigan
1st Carlisle 9.3 (8/1) J. Mason – 3rd Dutchman 10.7 (8/1) S. Floyd
Hd x 4 len. Time 5:36 ¾
9th 08/11/1879 Flemington: Free Handicap – 1 ½ miles
19 ran – 8.8 (12/1) B.
Colley
1st Tocal 9.4 (8/1) W. Huxley – 2nd Waxy 7.8 (6/1) J. King
3rd Monarque 8.0 (4/1) J. Williams. 3 len x 1 len. Time
2:38 (Aust record)
Sussex’s head defeat by
Carlisle in the Flemington Hurdle race was a very bitter pill for Frederick
Goyder to swallow. Goyder was scathing in his criticism of the handicapper in
giving Sussex 12.1 compared to the 9.3 carried by the very talented Carlisle.
In a letter to the editor of The
Australasian 15/11/1879, Goyder announced that
Sussex was being retired to stud due to the unfair weights that he was being
asked to carry in handicap events. In his letter, Goyder writes:
“There is absolutely no provision or
encouragement given to our jumpers. A weight-for age hurdle and steeplechase,
with moderate penalties for winners, on the first day of the meeting, and then
the handicaps on the last day, would give a lot of sport, and would be some
inducement to owners to keep the better class of horses in training, and be the
means of bringing many a young horse out. Under the present handicap system a
maiden is called upon to give known fair performers weight, and has to be run
(and generally is) several times unfit and out of condition, so as to get in
upon anything like fair terms with other horses, such tactics tending to
demoralise all connected with the horse; but unless this is done your maiden
horse has but a poor show, unless an extraordinary good one.”
Frederick Goyder’s decision to retire Sussex from racing was only short-lived as Sussex returned to the track in the following autumn.
Frederick Goyder’s decision to retire Sussex from racing was only short-lived as Sussex returned to the track in the following autumn.
5th 02/03/1880 Flemington: Keilor Stakes WFA – 1 ½ miles
8 ran – 9.10 (8/1) R. Rowe
1st Darriwell 9.3 (6/4F) S. Cracknell – Sweetmeat 9.7 (3/1) P. Pigott
3rd Columbus 9.3 (4/1) W. Yeomans. 1 ½ len x 6 len. Time
2:46 ½
2nd 04/03/1880 Flemington: Corinthian Cup – 1 ½ miles & a
distance
7 ran – 12.7 (4/1) Mr. R. Chirnside
1st Kilmany 10.7 (5/1) Mr. C. Filgate – 3rd Robbie Burns 10.9 (3/1F)
Mr. H. Haines
1 len x ½ len. Time 3:3 ½
WON 01/07/1880 Caulfield: Maiden Steeplechase – 2 ½ miles
5 ran – 11.7 (4/6F) R. Batty
2nd Verdi 11.9 (4/1) H. Chifney – 3rd Rosewood (4/1) 12.4 J. Griffiths
Nk x 2 len. Time 6:08
At
the start Verdi and Sussex went away with the lead. The Orphan balked at the second
fence, and could not get over until the other horses again came round. After
passing the stand Sussex ran round the fence at the top of the hill, and Nullah
followed the example. Sussex
took the fence after, but Nullah persistently balked. Verdi established a good lead
opposite the stand, Rosewood being ten lengths and Sussex fifteen lengths behind.
Passing the stand the second time Verdi was leading, with Rosewood and Sussex
close up. They ran in the same order to the sod wall, where Sussex went up second.
Coming up the straight Verdi and Sussex were running neck and neck, but Sussex
had the race well in hand, and won by a neck, Rosewood third. (The Age 02/07/1880)
WON 01/07/1880 Caulfield: Victoria Gold Cup – 2 ½ miles
9 ran – 13.5 (EvensF) Mr.
W. Glasscock
2nd Greystanes 13.0 (3/1) Mr. P. Glenister – 3rd Unknown 10.4 (6/1) Mr. E.
T. Barnard
1 len x 8 len. Time 6:06
Syphon
had the best of the start, with Joan, Sussex and Mac next. Syphon was still leading
at the stand, with Mac, Joan, Sussex, Warrigal and Greystanes following. At the
turn Sussex went up and took first place, Warrigal next, and Greystanes, Joan
and Syphon following. At the fence on the hill Quamby balked.
Beyond
Warrigal went to the front, passing Sussex, Greystanes, Joan and Mac being well
up.
At
the sod wall Sussex was again in the lead, with Greystanes next and Warrigal
and Mac next. Syphon and Joan were some distance in the rear. Passing the stand
the second time Greystanes and Sussex were level, Warrigal and Joan in close
proximity, and Syphon and Mac some lengths away. Rounding the turn and at the back
of the course Sussex and Greystanes were together, several lengths in front of
Warrigal. Mac fell at the fence on the hill. Nearing the sod wall Warrigal went
up to Sussex, and was level with him at the last fence, but on taking the jump,
fell and rolled over his rider, who was shaken, but not seriously injured.
Sussex was thus left an easy winner, Greystanes making an effort in the
straight, but not being able to reach him. Sussex won by a length, Greystanes next,
and Unknown, some distance away, third.
(The Age 02/07/1880)
Sussex’s greatness was on
display this day for all to see.
Two jumps races on the same
card and he won them both, first the maiden steeplechase and then the Hunt
Club’s Gold Cup, carrying 13.5.
3rd 31/07/1880 Geelong: Hurdle Race – 2 miles
11 ran – 12.5 (6/4F) R.
Batty
1st Marshal 8.10 (5/1) J. Mascall – 2nd Pemberley 8.10 (5/1) J. Wall
2 len x 2 len. No time posted
2nd 31/07/1880 Geelong: Steeplechase – 3 miles
13 Ran – 12.12 (6/1) R.
Batty
1st Twilight 9.12 (3/1) T. Corrigan – 3rd Intrepid 9.12 (12/1) P. Carey
3 len x 8 len. No time posted
Frederick Goyder writes
another of his, now famous, letters to the editor of The
Australasian (07/08/1880) lamenting the unfair handicapping of Sussex
during the current racing season.
He writes in part:
“The VAT Club promised a maiden Steeplechase, of £100, and this looked
like paying (and has done) his expenses, and by his intrinsic merit he also won
their Gold Cup, much to the handicappers disgust.
And I now come to the late Geelong Meeting, where my friend had his
revenge, as I failed to give to such horses as Marshal and Pemberley 3st 9lb,
both winners, and also Twilight 3st, a mare that every man who has seen and
watched her running said was absolutely thrown into the handicap.”
As was the case last spring, Frederick Goyder retired Sussex to stud, and, as he did last year, Sussex returned to racing the following autumn.
In defence of the handicapper, the owner of Pemberley
(who finished second in the Geelong Hurdle Race), writes a reply to Frederick
Goyder’s letter disputing his ‘grumblings’ that Sussex is the victim of some
kind of unfair conspiracy by the handicapper and the race clubs.
In his letter of 14/07/1880 to The Australasian, Mr. C.
F. Fraser writes, in part:
“Sir, – Mr. Goyder
is certainly a good grumbler, and commences his letter to you (in your issue of
the 7th inst.) by grumbling at Sussex being beaten by Carlisle at the V.R.C.
Spring Meeting. Now, if I remember rightly, it was the too-clever tactics of
the stable which got him beaten on that occasion, by the starting of Battle
Abbey to make the running, and which he did so effectually as to settle Sussex,
and thus enable Carlisle to win a desperate race on the post.
Mr. Goyder then
writes a letter to The Australasian on the subject of maiden steeplechases, and
one is introduced into the last Caulfield programme. Sussex wins it, and also
the Gold Cup (handicap); Mr. Goyder adds, "Much to the handicapper's disgust."
Now, this latter remark is most unkind, for anyone who has the honour of
knowing Mr. Barnard must be aware that he would be utterly incapable of having
a mean wish towards any man's horse, and I feel sure that it would only give
him pleasure to see a noble horse like Sussex winning with the top weight. Had
Sussex started in the Hurdle Race at Caulfield (12st.) he would, in my opinion,
have won it easily. For his two wins at Caulfield the handicapper gives him
12st. 51b. in the Geelong Hurdle. The public and ring (the best judges) did not
think him badly treated, as his price in a field of eleven good and average
horses was 7 to 4, and had the ground been dry, he certainly would have beaten
my pony Pemberley”.
As was the case last spring, Frederick Goyder retired Sussex to stud, and, as he did last year, Sussex returned to racing the following autumn.
 |
| Robert Batty |
6YO
Pulled Up 24/03/1881 Gladstone (SA): Great Northern Handicap
Steeplechase – 3 miles
12 ran – 13.10 (4/1) W.
Glasscock
1st Himalaya 13.0 (2/1F) R. Batty – 2nd Snowstorm 11.0 (4/1) F. Hill
3rd Gunn 8.10 (20/1) J. Beauchamp. 12 len x 30 len. No
time recorded
Early in 1881 Mr. F. C.
Goyder, the owner of Sussex, was in Adelaide. A great deal of talk was indulged
in at the time about the Great Northern Steeplechase, which was to come off in
March at Gladstone, a town some distance from Adelaide. In order to induce
Goyder to bring over Sussex a prominent South Australian laid him £2000 to
£1000 that he could not win the Great Northern with any two horses he chose to
bring from Melbourne.
With the object of winning
this bet, Sussex and Himalaya were sent over. The course was a particularly
stiff one, even for those days. Not one of the fences was under 4 ft. 6 in.,
and in front of the stand a wide water jump, with a fence on the take-off side,
added to the difficulties of the competitors. There were only two rails in each
fence, the bottom panel being a good distance from the ground, which made the
obstacle look all the more formidable. The rails were heavy, and had untrimmed
edges, which cut the horses' legs like knives.
On this occasion Robert Batty
rode Himalaya, while Mr. Glasscock had the mount on Sussex. Every one of the
eleven starters, with the exception of Himalaya and Snowstorm, came to grief,
Himalaya beating Mr. John Pile's grey rather easily at the finish, thus landing
Mr. Goyder his £2000.
Himalaya was so cut about
that he did not recover from the gruelling for weeks. Sussex was in an even
worse plight, and it was several months before he could leave Adelaide.
When he returned to Melbourne
Sussex could not be induced to look at a fence on the training track; he
resolutely refused to jump even the bottom rail. However, this wayward behavior
did not prevent Goyder from backing his favorite to win the Grand National
Steeplechase with 13 st. 1 lb. (Leader 13/07/1918)
WON 23/07/1881 Flemington: Grand National Steeplechase – 3 miles
7 Ran – 13.1 (3/1) R. Batty
2nd Twilight 11.4 (EvensF) T. Corrigan – 3rd Lucy 9.11 (10/1) J. Elliott
3 len x 3 len. Time 7:02 ¾
As
soon as the flag fell Sussex rushed to the front, but before going round the
turn Batty had steadied him, and Taxaraxacum carried on the running to the
first fence, at which he ran off, Victor following his example, thus
extinguishing their chances. The rest of the field got safely over in the
following order Twilight, Sussex, Lucy, Abdallah and Gazelle. At the back of
the course Lucy had obtained the premiership, and maintained her position to
the Abattoirs, where Twilight again assumed command, Gazelle running up into
third place. No change occurred as they swept into the straight, the fences
being taken in grand style by all save Abdullah, who struck at the palings, and
parted with his rider. Twilight still led, closely followed by Lucy, Gazelle and
Sussex, the pace increasing as they ran along the river side and back of the
course, where Sussex began to make a forward movement. No mistake was made
until the last fence was reached, at which Gazelle blundered and struck, unseating
her rider. Sussex had a slight advantage as they turned into the straight, and,
Batty keeping him going, won a slashing race by three lengths from Twilight,
Lucy, a similar distance away, third; Gazelle, some distance behind, was
fourth. (The Age 25/07/1881)
After the Grand National Steeplechase, it became clear that Sussex was
in a terrible state, Bob Batty said after the race that Sussex had broken-down
three fences from home, and it was only the horse’s sheer courage that got him
to the line.
Frederick Goyder realised that Sussex would never race again, and even
if he could, it is doubtful that Goyder would have subjected his pride and joy
to the crippling weights that he would have received in the new season as a
Grand National Steeplechase champion.
In early September 1881, Frederick Goyder sold Sussex to Mr Charles
Umphelby for £1300 to stand at his property, Dwarroon at Cudgee for a service
fee of 15 guineas.
Not much is known about Sussex from this point on, though we do know
that he wasn’t a success at stud.
By 1886, Charles Umphelby had off-loaded Sussex and he was now standing
at Stansmore’s Stables at Camperdown for a fee of just £4 4s.
In 1887 at the Camperdown Show, Sussex won first prize in the category
of best 'Blood Stallion over three years', his owner was listed as Mr. N.
Stansmore.
Sussex won the same category the following year, though there were only
two entries.
The last mention of Sussex that I could find was in 1890, when his owner Mr. J. Ware
paraded him at Camperdown in the ‘Parade of stallions’ under the auspices of
the ‘Hampden and Heytesbury Pastoral & Agricultural Society’.
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| Champion Cross-Country Riders Of 1880 |
