Daimio
1887 B or br g Swiveller – Butterfly II
Owner: Messrs. Gibson Bros.
Colours: Terracotta, white sleeves & cap
Trainers: Australia: R. H. Frew
England: W. Nightingall – July 1896 to Feb 1897
H. Escott – Feb 1897 to April 1898
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| Daimio J. Barbour |
Complete Career Record
13 Starts – 4 Wins 3 Seconds 3 Thirds
2nd 6/10/1891 Epsom: Hunters Steeplechase-2 ¾ miles
2nd 1/07/1892 Caulfield: Woodlands Amateur Steeplechase-2 ½ m
3rd 21/09/1892 Woodlands: Point To Point Amateur Steeplechase-4 ½ miles
WON 25/10/1892 Caulfield: Oaklands Hunt Club Cup-3 miles
Unpl 13/09/1893 Warlaby: Point To Point Amateur Steeplechase-4 ½/5 miles
WON 14/07/1894 Flemington: Grand National Steeplechase-3 miles
WON 13/07/1895 Flemington: Grand National Steeplechase-3 miles
WON 10/08/1895 Caulfield: Grand National Steeplechase-4 miles
3rd 9/01/1897 Lingfield Park (Surrey): Weald Handicap Steeplechase-3 miles
Unpl 26/03/1897 Aintree: Grand National Steeplechase-4 miles & 856 yds
2nd 13/11/1897 Liverpool: Valentine Steeplechase-2 ¾ miles
5th 16/12/1897 Lingfield: Southern Counties’ Handicap Steeplechase-3 miles
3rd 13/1/1898 Windsor: Egham Steeplechase-3 miles
Daimio was bred at Gippsland by John Butwright at Mr. Alex Smith’s stud farm, Alexlea.
Better known as “Jack The Shepherd,” Butwright was a friend of Alex Smith and sometimes drove cattle for him from Alexlea to the Melbourne markets. Butwright also owned a mare named Butterfly whom he put to Swiveller who was standing at Alexlea, the result of this mating was Daimio.
Daimio was reared at Bruthen, a property owned my Mr. John Calvert and was later sold by Butwright to Mr. H. P. (Hubert) Keogh.
Daimio, or Piper, as he was then known, had only one start for Keogh where he finished second at Epsom in the Hunters Steeplechase over 2 ¾ miles. Mr Godfrey Watson, who was the official starter at Melbourne races, as well as a keen amateur rider, bought Piper immediately after the Hunters Steeplechase and later re-sold him to the Gibson brothers, who were always on the lookout for a talented jumper.
Twin brothers, Oswald and Richard Gibson were enthusiastic followers of the hounds and hunts racing and their newly acquired gelding, Piper, whom they renamed Daimio would be a welcome addition to their hunting team.
R. H. Frew prepared the Gibson's team of hunters, and after riding Daimio to victory in the Oaklands Hunt Club Cup, he told the brothers that Daimio so impressed him with his fast pace and jumping ability, that he considered the horse a certainty to win a Grand National Steeple.
The Gibsons took notice of Frew’s assessment of Daimio, and when Frew took out a professional trainers licence in 1893, Daimio was sent to be trained at his Ascot Vale stables. The Gibson brothers were not interested in racing Daimio for financial reward, they raced horses purely for the love of the sport, so it probably did not surprise Frew when he learned that Daimio was to be trained for Grand Nationals, and nothing else.
4YO
2nd 6/10/1891 Epsom: Hunters Steeplechase-2 ¾ miles
8 ran – 11.2 (5/1) F. E. Power
1st Snip 13.0 (3/1F) J. E. Brewer – 3rd Echo 12.0 (7/1) R. Jones
4 len x 2 len. Time 6:27
Kororoit led at first, Alick being next. The pair soon gave way to Echo, who was followed by Sundowner and Alick. Volunteer ran off at the first fence, over which Piper jumped badly. Kororoit was second to Echo as they passed the stand for the second time, Monarch, Piper, Sundowner and Snip following in close order. Piper went into second place as they got to the back of the course, where Echo still led and Snip was third. Monarch struck a fence half a mile from home, and was nearly down, losing his place.
Snip passed Echo at the last fence, and led home an easy winner from Piper, whose rider did not finish well. Echo was a fair third, with Kororoit fourth, Sundowner and Monarch following. Alick fell on the flat at the turn into the straight, but his rider was not hurt. (The Argus 7/10/1891)
2nd 1/07/1892 Caulfield: Woodlands Amateur Steeplechase-2 ½ m
13 ran – 11.4 (10/1) O. Gibson
1st Timoni 10.12 (3/1) J. J. Allan – 3rd Rufus (6/1) 11.3 R. H. Frew
4 len x 12 len Time 5:10 ¾
Rufus and Jubilee led over the first fence, where forester fell and Brilliant refused. Rufus continued to lead along the back from Jubilee and Timoni, but at the railway side Shogun ran into the lead. At the first of the treble Shogun, Laertes and Mile Post fell, and the next fence brought down Jubilee. Rufus and Timoni cleared out from the field and raced together along the back, followed by Daimio. At the sod wall Timoni headed Rufus and led into the straight, where Daimio came with a fast run and passed Rufus, but failed to trouble Timoni, who beat him by four lengths, Rufus finishing a dozen lengths off third, and then Lapwing, Fearless, Westminster and Rocket strung out. (The Age 2/07/1892)
5YO
3rd 21/09/1892 Woodlands: Point To Point Amateur Steeplechase-4 ½ miles
19 ran – 11.9 (No Betting) O. Gibson
1st Black Doctor 12.0 R. H. Frew – 2nd Norah 10.12 G. Watson
150 yds x 100 yds. Time. No Time recorded
The intense interest felt in the event was evidenced by 19 of the horses coloured on the card coming to the post, the only absentees being Cornet and Bob Sawyer. As might have been expected, numerous early disasters occurred owing to the ground having been made slippery, and in one of these Zuleika had the misfortune to come to grief through colliding with Bob, who fell in front of her, destroying the former’s chance, although she was one of the 10 which subsequently finished. Gradually the field became lessened until approaching the fourth fence from home, where last year’s winner, Silvertail, fell, and Mr. Godfrey Watson on Norah made a clever recovery, the first flight then consisting of Namesake, Black Doctor and Norah. Namesake held a good lead, but was seen to be tiring perceptibly as they raced to the last fence but one, which he struck heavily, resigning the command to Black Doctor, who sailed alone over the last jump, which Namesake, being dead beat, refused. Black Doctor, ridden by Mr. R. H. Frew, who steered Silvertail to victory in last year’s event, galloped down the grassy stretch for home and passed between the winning flags 150 yards ahead of Norah, who was about 100 yards in front of Daimio. The Broker was fourth, Bonyulena fifth and Sundowner sixth, the others to finish being Zuleika, Brightlight, Zoe and Spring Bud. (The Age 22/09/1892)
The Point To Point Steeplechase was run around an open course in country Victoria.
Mr W. H. Croker’s country estate, Goodwood House was the meeting point for the event and the course was described in The Age as follows:
Messrs. R. G. Stevenson and W. Glasscock had marked out a course well fitted to try the stamina of the competing hunters, the distance to be traversed being about 4 ½ miles over varied country and 21 stiff jumps, including hedges and ditches, posts and rails, palings and wire fences, with top rails.
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| Richard Gibson |
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| Oswald Gibson |
WON 25/10/1892 Caulfield: Oaklands Hunt Club Cup-3 miles
5 ran – 11.2 (3/1) R. H. Frew
2nd Archie 11.7 (5/1) W. C. Knight – 3rd Asper 10.12 (10/1) G. P. Brewer
6 len x 10 len Time 6:54 ½
Piaroa, Norley and Daimio led over the treble in the order named, but after leaving the straight Daimio was in front and showed the way along the back at a slow pace. Running down the railway side Piaroa and Daimio were together, and continued in the lead past the stand, but running along the back the second time Norley and Asper closed up. Piaroa and Daimio came away, however, at the railway side, but the sod wall brought down both Piaroa
and Norley, and Daimio, entering the straight full of running won by six lengths from Archie, who passed Asper in the run home. (The Age 26/10/1892)
6YO
Unpl 13/09/1893 Warlaby: Point To Point Amateur Steeplechase-4 ½/5 miles
13 ran – 12.2 (4/1) R. Gibson
1st Musket 11.3 (6/1) T. J. Dean – 2nd Namesake 11.3 (4/1) M. Brannigan
3rd Sundowner 10.12 (10/1) W. C. Knight. Time. No Time or margins recorded
The steeplechase comprised 22 fences and 3 water jumps over a 4 ½ to 5 mile course.
The course was described in The Age as follows:
The starting point was at Warlaby, about 3 ½ miles above the Inverness Hotel. For a distance of about half a mile the track was perfectly straight and it then turned eastwood and crossed the Oaklands-road into the property of Mr. J. C. Cochrane. There was then a fairly straight run southward for some distance into Mr. Petre’s “Dunalater” and through the fields of Messrs. Carroll, Daniels, Noonan and Musgrave. It then passed over the Greenvale-road into Mr. Bell’s “Woodlands” across the Bull paddock and into “Cumberland,” whence it ran behind the English Church and finished near the Bulla-road, about three-quarters of a mile below the hotel.
WON 14/07/1894 Flemington: Grand National Steeplechase-3 miles
21 ran – 9.3 (15/1) M. Burke
2nd Cerberus 9.8 (25/1) T. J. Dean – 3rd Reckless 9.6 (20/1) H. Underwood
10 len x nk. Time 7:00 ¼
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| Daimio leads the field in the 1894 Grand National Steeplechase |
As they ranged themselves first of all Frantic, Banda and Busaco occupied positions close to the rails, and Dondi, Mutiny and Corangamite figured off the extreme outside. Several slight breaks occurred before the start, and these positions changed somewhat, so that when the flag fell Frantic, Foxhall and Cerberus were on the inside; Busaco, Daimio and Mikado II in the centre and Dondi and The Actress on the outside, close to the grandstand fences.
The field got away splendidly, Reckless, in a style worthy of his name, dashing to the front, and he led past the judge’s box, clear of The Actress, after whom came Baritone, Dondi Busaco, Expectation, Banda, Trojan and Mutiny, in the order given. Then followed Cerberus, Mikado II, Daimio, Tayforth, Sir Wilfred, Frantic, Coangamite, Foxhall and Glenview in a cluster, and they were pursued by Medicine and Blyth, who were together, whilst last of all, Spanker, the only grey in the race, acted as whipper in. Dondi overhauled Reckless turning out of the straight, and the latter dropped back into the ruck, leaving Foxhall in second position, about three-quarters of a length in front of The Actress and Tayforth, who were close together, and they were succeeded by Mutiny, Cerberus and Daimio. In that order they jumped the first fence, and the rest of the field followed suit without making a mistake.
Once over the jump Dondi began to force the pace, and careered along the track towards the bridge 10 lengths in front of Foxhall, whose nearest neighbours were Daimio and Busaco, whilst the rest of the field began to string out. At the back Mutiny took third place, owing to the defection of Busaco, but the other positions suffered little alteration, as the field was rapidly getting into single file, with Spanker still at the foot of it. Dondi’s mad gallop at the head of affairs was checked at the abattoirs, where Daimio took the lead; but as they galloped round the turn Dondi went to the front again and showed the way into the straight to Daimio, Mutiny, Cerberus, Tayforth, Foxhall and Frantic. At the other end of the field The Actress relieved Spanker of the odium of being last. There was little to choose between Dondi and Daimio as they flew the first fence in the straight, with Trojan, Mutiny, Foxhall, Tayforth, and Busaco in their wake, and Corangamite and Baritone down. Blyth came to grief at the beginning of the treble in front of the stand, which was cleared by the rest of the field in this order:- Daimio, Dondi, Reckless, Trojan, Cerberus, Mutiny, Tayforth, Franctic, Foxhall, Busaco, Mikado II, Expectation, Medicine, Sir Wilfred, Glenview, Spanker, Banda and The Actress.
So the first half of the journey was accomplished, and, excepting the three who had fallen, the result was just as open as at the start. Dondi once more headed Daimio as they passed along the river side, only to be deposed again as they raced past the bridge, where Mutiny as lying third, Reckless fourth and Tayforth fifth. The pace grew faster as the back stretch was reached and it found Dondi out, for he gradually drifted astern and came down at the stone wall. Frantic toppled over the next obstacle, which was near the abattoirs. Daimio was leading then, and Mutiny, Cerberus, Reckless and Busaco were the only ones within range of him. The two last fences make no changes in the positions, except that Tayforth fell, and Daimio entered the straight with a long lead, and all of his opponents beaten. There was nothing to approach him, and he galloped home 10 lengths in front of Cerberus and Reckless, who made a glorious finish for second honours; but the former just secured the verdict by a neck. Expectation was some lengths away fourth, Mutiny fifth, Trojan sixth, Medicine seventh, Busaco eigth, Mikado II ninth, Glenview tenth, Sir Wilfred eleventh, The Actress twelfth, Spanker thirteenth, Banda fourteenth, Foxhall fifteenth and Dondi last. (The Age 16/07/1894)
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| Martin Burke |
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| Daimio poses with his rider and trainer after the Grand National Steeplechase |
7YO
Following his easy win in The VRC Grand National Steeplechase, Daimio was immediately installed as a short-priced favourite to win the VATC Grand National Steeplechase at Caulfield in four weeks’ time. Winning rider Martin Burke would retain the ride on Daimio, and judging by the way the pair combined to win at Flemington, a win at Caulfield seemed a mere formality.
A series of events unfolded in the lead-up to the VATC Grand National that would culminate in the tragic death of Legendry cross-country rider, Tommy Corrigan.
On Saturday July 28 Martin Burke suffered a broken rib when his mount, Parkham, fell in the Open Steeplechase at Moonee Valley. Although Burke was hopeful that he would be fully recovered in time to ride Daimio at Caulfield, it soon became apparent that he would not be fit enough to fulfil his riding engagement and the mount on Daimio was given to Tommy Corrigan.
On the Thursday before the Caulfield Grand National, Daimio, with race jockey Tommy Corrigan in the saddle, pulled-up lame after track-work at Flemington.
Daimio’s lameness did not improve and his owners had no choice but to scratch him from the Grand National.
With Daimio out of the Grand National, Tommy Corrigan elected to ride his own horse, Waiter, in the big four mile event. Some say that Waiter was fractious before the start of the Steeplechase and that Corrigan had difficulty mounting him. After completing three fences of the Steeplechase, Waiter and Corrigan came to grief at the fourth. There were differing reports on exactly what caused the horse to fall, but whatever the cause, the result would prove fatal for Tommy Corrigan who was taken from the course with severe head injuries. Corrigan succumbed to his injuries early on Monday morning sending Victoria into a state of mourning for one of its greatest and most popular sporting heroes.
In a further tragic twist of fate, Martin Burke’s life also came to an end just two months after Tommy Corrigan. Burke was killed after being thrown from his mount, Trustee, on the training track at Flemington on the morning of Wednesday October 17.
Burke was taken to Melbourne Hospital and although an operation was carried out that afternoon, the popular jockey could not be saved and passed away at 9.00am on Thursday morning.
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| The great Tommy Corrigan |
WON 13/07/1895 Flemington: Grand National Steeplechase-3 miles
18 ran – 11.10 (6/1F) J. Barbour
2nd Dart 10.10 (8/1) H. Underwood – 3rd Campaspe 9.13 (15/1) R. Howie
5 len x 5 len. Time 6:45 ½
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| Daimio is full of running after clearing the stone wall in the Grand National Steeplechase |
Scarcely had the 18 runners ranged themselves at the post than Mr. Watson sent them away in splendid order, Medicine holding the inside position next the rails, and Larrikin and Gloater the outside berths. Joi and Knebsworth at once commenced to make the pace, and led past the stand slightly in advance of a strong contingent, of whom Flat Iron, Old Judge, Strike and Floater were the most prominent, whilst Dart and Spanker were last. At a rattling pace Knebsworth carried the field along the river side and piloted it over the first fence, which was taken without a mistake. After passing the bridge Joi took up the pioneering with Romsdal, Knebsworth and Timoni as his nearest attendants, and the rest of the field stringing out into an extended column. Knebsworth resumed the load at the sheds, where Floater, Romsdal, Joi, Old Judge and Timoni were all well up, but Dart, who now had Larrikin for a partner, was some distance in the rear, last. Entering the straight, Knebsworth held a slight advantage of Daimio, who was succeeded by Moondah, Campaspe, Romsdal, Old Judge and Cerberus. The first fence in the straight brought down Spanker and Floater, and the next was fatal to the chances of Medicine and Knebsworth. Over the next obstacle, the first of the treble in front of the stand, the scarlet jacket of Timoni’s rider was in front of the field, but Daimio, Joi, Romsdal and Cerberus were in close attendance, followed in fairly close order by Moondab, Old Judge, Banshee, Strike, Campaspe, Dart and Flat Iron, with Larrikin last. In the stretch by the river side Diamio deposed Timoni, who was beginning to tire, and he came down at the stone wall near the back. Daimio had a lead of half dozen lengths at the abattoirs, and Joi, Cerberus, Dart, Moondah and Campaspe were in his wake. Dart rapidly gained on Daimio in the run to the last fence, which the jumped nearly together. It was expected that Dart’s pace would serve him in the run home, and his victory was thought assured, but he could not extend the favorite, who galloped home with the greatest case a winner by five lengths, the same distance separating second and third, Joi was a good fourth, and then came Cerberus, Larrikin, Strike, Flat Iron, Old Judge, Banshee and Moondah
(The Age 15/07/1895)
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| Trainer R. H. Frew |
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| Rider James Barbour |
8YO
WON 10/08/1895 Caulfield: Grand National Steeplechase-4 miles
15 ran – 13.3 (2/1F) J. Barbour
2nd Romsdal 9.12 (15/1) J. J. Allan – 3rd Geometry 10.0 (25/1) J. S. Edge
2 len x 1 ½ len. Time 8:16 (race & course record)
There was one break away after the 15 starters had assembled at the post, but as soon as they had regained their positions Mr. Watson set them moving, Geometry’s colours were the first to emerge in front of the field, and close to her were Daimio, Cerberus, Floater and The Actress. There were endless alterations in the positions as them came towards the first fence, the beginning of the treble in front of the stand, which all safely negotiated, Highborn II showing the way, and Floater, Cerberus, Daimio, Dart, Campaspe and Romsdal following. They formed the front division, and Geometry and The Actress brought up the rear. At the second fence Baltoro fell, and thus commenced the disasters which eventually disposed of more than half the field. Dart led over the last of the treble, with Daimio and Highborn II on his girths, but, as the turned out of the straight, Highborn II began to fore the pace and drew away, leading along the back of the course with Dart, Daimio, Joi, Romsdal and Campaspe figuring behind him in that order. Highborn II lost his position at the sod wall, but soon regained it, and, with Dart abreast of him, showed the way over the rails and palings of the stand treble; but at the logs Daimio shot forward, and clearing the obstacle with a magnificent jump, led around the bend out of the straight. Highborn II quickly headed the favourite, and ledalong the back of the course, where Joi was running third, Knebsworth Fourth and Geometry net, these five forming a leading division, which, in Indian file, was several lengths in front of the main body of horses, of whom Medicine, Dart and Romsdal were the most prominent, whilst The Actress was 50 yards in the rear. Approaching the five furlong post, Knebsworth, going very well, galloped to the front and led over the sod wall with Highborn II, Floater, Dart, Daimio, Geometry, Songster, Joi, Medicine and Campaspe, who was jumping badly, in his wake. In these positions they raced to the stand treble the third time, but the first of the three obstacles, the post and rail fence, brought down Floater, Reckless and Joi, and the next fence, the palings, caused the downfall of Dart and Cerberus. Then the favourite, forcing the pace, galloped to the front, flying the logs in great style, and racing round the turn at the south end of the course with Medicine hard upon his heels, and Highborn II, Romsdal, Campaspe, Songster, Geometry and Knebsworth, all well up, going strongly. The Actress, who was hopelessly last, pulled up. Medicine came to grief at the jump on the hill, leaving Romsdal in second place behind the favourite, and Campaspe, Highborn II, Geometry, Songster and Knebsworth, all that were left in the chase, following. There was no alteration in the positions after this, for Daimio, fresh and full of vigor, held everything safe. Barbour was looking behind him at this opponents as he galloped up the straight, and though Romsdal made a fame effort to catch Daimio in the last few strides the favourite got home without being hurried by a couple of lengths. Geometry was third a length and a half off Romsdal, and then came Highborn II, Campaspe and Songster; Knebsworth fell at the last fence. (The Age 12/08/1895)
With three consecutive Grand National Steeplechases’ under his belt at home, the Gibson brothers felt that Daimio had what it takes to win a Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree and plans were put in place to send Daimio to the “home country” to plunder the greatest prize in steeplechasing.
Daimio left for England aboard the Orizaba on April 26 1896 accompanied by his stable attendant, H. Cutts and his part-owner Oswald Gibson.
With the Grand National almost a year away, Daimio would be given plenty of time to acclimatise and familiarise himself with the different style of fences that are used in England.
Daimio and Gibson arrived in England on June 4th and Daimio was soon on his way to the Epsom stables of his new trainer William Nightingall.
The Sefton Park Steeplechase over 3 miles at Liverpool in November was selected to kick-off Daimio’s England campaign. The Sefton usually attracts a good field of jumpers and would give Daimio the chance to experience the Aintree course before he has to deal with it in the Grand National. When weights were released for the Sefton, Daimio was the top-weight with 12.7, Oswald Gibson was not happy with the allotted weight and scratched him from the event.
Reports from England suggest that Daimio had still not acclimatised and his work was nowhere near where it should be at this stage of his campaign. English press-reporters had also expressed their disappointment in Daimio’s appearance, saying he looked nothing like the big, strapping, all-conquering champion that they were expecting.
With time running out for Daimio to have a warm-up race before the Grand National in March, it was announced that he will open his English account in the Weald Handicap Steeplechase over 3 miles at Lingfield Park on January 9.
There were still more dramas to come before Daimio faced the starter at Lingfield.
There were still more dramas to come before Daimio faced the starter at Lingfield.
William Nightingall’s brother, Robert, one of the leading riders of the day, would not commit to riding Daimio in the Grand National, so Daimio was transferred to the Lewes stables of Harry Escott.
Escott was already training a team of Australian jumpers including Ebor and Norton for Spencer Gollan and the team was being ridden with success by former New Zealand rider P. Hickey.
The Gibsons were happy to have Daimio join Escott and Hickey as they wanted Daimio to be ridden in the Grand National by a rider who was not new to the horse.
When they lined up for the Grand National, the brothers wanted both horse and rider to be completely at ease with each other.
9YO
3rd 9/01/1897 Lingfield Park (Surrey): Weald Handicap Steeplechase-3 miles
5 ran – 12.10 (7/2) P. Hickey
1st New Abbey 10.4 (9/2) A. Daltery – 2nd Prioress 10.7 (5/1) G. Morris
2 len x 50 len.
That long-looked for event, Daimio’s debut on an English racecourse, took place at Lingfield on Saturday, under conditions which from any point of view can only be described as most unfavourable to a debutant not versed in the art of mudlarking.
The rain with which we have been freely damped during the past fortnight had softened the course at Lingfield to a sponge-like consistency, and a heavy overnight downpour turned the surface into a squelching morass.
On such a track, one could not reasonably expect Daimio to exhibit brilliant form even if fit and well. But the Australian jumper was about as far from himself as he well could be, and in consequence his display in the Weald Handicap Steeple of £80, decided over a three and a half mile course, was terribly disappointing.
The Opposition was not strong, consisting only of Mr. Yates’s New Abbey (aged 10.4), Mr Leyland’s Prioress (aged 10.7), Lord Shrewsbury’s Ballyohara (aged 11.0) and Mr Hudson’s May Day (aged 10.5). Daimio had to carry the steadier of 12.10.
Ballyohara was installed favourite and was first backed at 9 to 4. Daimio, who had been tipped by most of the sporting papers, opened at 5 to 2; but the paddock critics’ report were not in his favour, and by degrees the Australian was driven back to 7 to 2. Against May Day the odds were 4 to 1, whilst New Abbey and Prioress were backed at 5’s.
When Daimio appeared on the course the set against him was easily explained. Instead of being fat and above himself, as might be expected, the big gelding was very much on the light side. His flanks, quarters, and second thighs might have been called wasted, and the general look of the animal suggested that a course of physic and a long spell of easy work would be beneficial.
The race can be described in a few lines. At flag fall Hickey at once sent Daimio to the front, but he was soon collared and passed by New Abbey and Prioress, who, with their light imposts, made the pace pretty warm. When about a mile had been negotiated New Abbey took a strong lead from Prioress, who in turn was well clear of Daimio and Ballyohara.
The Australian was going strong and well as the field passed the stand, and his backers were on quite good terms with themselves. But going up the hill on the far side of the course Daimio began to tire, and the two leaders drew further away at every fence.
A mile from home the issue lay between the pair, Daimio, Ballyohara, and May Day being completely done with, and an exciting race home ended with New Abbey staying the longer and winning by a couple of lengths.
Daimio trotted past the post a very bad third, just in advance of the pumped-out May Day with Ballyohara beaten off a hundred yards.(NZ The Evening Star 4/03/1897)
Oswald Gibson wrote the following letter to a friend in Australia. The letter was dated Brighton February 22 1897.
“Daimio, as you know ran third at Lingfield in the Weald Steeplechase carrying 12st 10lbs.
The cause of his poor display in such company was owing to the state of the course, it was a bog. Without any exaggeration the horses sank into the ground at least nine inches. The winner carried 10st 4lbs, and the second 10st 7lbs, so it was not such a bad performance. He has improved a great deal in his jumping now and will be pretty fit for the Liverpool Grand National, but should the course be heavy he will not have the ghost of a chance. I think the greatest danger will be that he will over-jump himself and thus get tired.
Hickey is going to ride so we can depend upon having an honest run, which is something.
My own opinion is that he will not win but may have a chance.”
Unpl 26/03/1897 Aintree: Grand National Steeplechase-4 miles & 856 yds
28 ran 12.6 (40/1) H. Escott
1st Manifesto 11.3 (6/1F) T. Kavanagh – 2nd Filbert 9.7 (100/1) C. Beatty
3rd Ford Of Fyne 10.7 (25/1) F. Withington. 20 len. Time 9:49
Daimio’s performance in the Grand National Steeplechase was abysmal, so it’s fair to say that his performance reflected his starting price.
The only mention that Daimio got in the race write-ups in the English newspapers was to say that “Daimio was pulled-up, beaten at the second fence the second time round”
It must have been heart-breaking for Oswald and Richard Gibson to watch their champion being pulled-up, too distressed to continue in the race that they had hoped would showcase the colonial breed to the world.
How they must have wished that the “real” Daimio, the one that lined up in the Grand Nationals back home could have shown himself today.
For had that been the case, there would have been no doubt in either brothers mind, that this day, they would be leading in the winner of the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase.
Having endured almost a year in England where the only luck they experienced was bad, and where they, and their horse, were the target of constant ridicule, it would have been expected that the Gibsons would have packed up their horse and headed home as quickly as possible. On the contrary, even with Daimio’s reputation in tatters, Oswald and Richard Gibson had no intentions of throwing in the towel on Daimio’s campaign, instead, they were already planning for another tilt at the Grand National.
10YO
2nd 13/11/1897 Liverpool: Valentine Steeplechase-2 ¾ miles
4 ran 12.4 (4/1) H. Escott
1st Worker 11.3 (6/4F) J. A. Checey – 3rd Elfrida 12.0 (9/4) H. Cairns
10 len x 5 len. No time given
Not more than four could be found to go to the post for the valentine steeplechase. At first Daimio was equal favourite with Worker, but the latter wound up in chief demand.
The favourite led from Elfrida and Fittleworth to the second fence, where Daimio became second but Worker making the whole of the running, won easily by ten lengths, five lengths between second and third.(The Glasgow Herald 15/11/1897)
In his regular sports column for The Australasian, the England based sports commentator “Robin Hood’ had his report on the Valentine Steeplechase published in the newspaper’s December 25 edition.
“This saw Daimio’s first appearance this season; he was by no means fit, and was, I believe, only sent to Liverpool to give him a little further experience over the Grand National country. There were only four runners. The race was a Weight-For-Age one, but with penalties, relative to the value of races previously won. Mr Gibson’s gelding to carry 12st 4lb. He was ridden by his trainer Escott.
That the Australian horse was not fancied much by his stable is confirmed by the fact that in a field of four, offers of 4 to 1 against him were plentiful enough. He jumped well, but the favourite Worker, who started a 5 to 4 chance, drew away from him half a mile from home, and ultimately won very easily by ten lengths. Elfrida was third six lengths behind Daimio, with Fittleworth beaten off.”
As it turned out, “Robin Hood’s” comments on Daimio’s presence in the Valentine Steeplechase were incorrect and a correction to his previous article was published in the January 1 edition of The Australasian:
“In my last letter I gave details of the defeat of the once great steeplechaser Daimio, in a very small field and in moderate company, at Liverpool. It was considered by most competent judges that the horse, though evidently very well in health, was by no means fit. That this was the general impression was proved, too, by the money market, for although trained by Escott, many of whose patrons bet heavily when he fancies anything highly, I pointed out that the horse started at 4 to 1 freely offered, whilst the short odds of 5 to 4 was freely taken about Worker who won.
Since my last letter I have heard from Mr. Oswald Gibson that he had felt confident that the horse would win, and that Escott was of the same opinion. I cannot, however, do better than quote Mr. Gibson’s own words.
He writes :- “Before the race Escott was quite confident that he would win, and I thought so, too, as he had nothing to beat if he were in his old Australian form. As you already know, he kept close to Worker for a mile and three-quarters, and then completely collapsed, both to my surprise and also Escott’s, finishing all out a very bad second; it now seems more than probable that he has completely lost his staying powers, for which he was once so famous in Australia, and that the different conditions have affected him more than we anticipated. However, he is still to be kept in training, and if all goes well, will make another effort in the Grand National next year.”
“I was sorry to receive the news in the above letter as I am sure my readers will be to receive them, because, as I knew it was intended to give the horse another look at the course, this back end, in a minor event, I did not think much was expected of him from want of condition; and this view the price he started at helped to confirm me in. Mr. Gibson’s letter, however, seems to show that his performance was a great disappointment, and that he was considered quite fit enough for the task set him, so that it is, as his owner remarks, more than probable that he will never show his Australian form here.”
5th 16/12/1897 Lingfield: Southern Counties Handicap Steeplechase-3 miles
5 ran – 12.7 (6/4F) H. Escott
1st Rathcarne 11.10 (4/1) Major Hardinge – 2nd Marcellus 11.0 (7/2) T. Fitton
3rd St George 12.0 (7/1) W. Morgan. 12 len x 20 len. No time given
Daimio again disappointed his supporters, as in the Southern Counties Handicap the verdict was secured by Rathcarne, who started at 4/1.
Marcellus settled down from Rathcarne with Daimio in the rear, until passing the stand, where Daimio pulled his way into third place, and at the first fence on the far side drew to the front. Ascending the hill, about a mile from home, Daimio was repassed by Rathcarne and Marcellus of whom Rathcarne won easily by twelve lengths; a bad third.
(The Glasgow Herald 17/12/1897)
(The Glasgow Herald 17/12/1897)
It was becoming increasingly hard for the Gibson brothers to remain optimistic about Daimio’s future racing in England, and with reports like the following being published in the newspapers back in Australia, it must have become downright discouraging.
The London correspondent to The Sydney Daily Telegraph:
“Daimio’s failures last season were amply explained by his friends as being the natural result of his transplantation to an uncongenial climate.
“Wait till the Australian ‘chaser is acclimatised, and then you’ll see something” was their cry. Well, we’ve waited a year, and from Daimio’s performance at Lingfield park the other day it would seem that the ‘chaser from ‘down under’ is either still very far from being acclimatised, or that increasing age has robbed him of his old-time fire and speed.
His display in the Southern Counties’ Handicap Steeplechase was miserable in the extreme. He was outpaced in the first mile, and hopelessly beaten before two-thirds of the journey had been accomplished. His opponents were moderate, Rathcarne and Marcellus being the best of the lot. The former won in a walk by a dozen lengths.”
3rd 13/1/1898 Windsor: Egham Steeplechase-3 miles
5 ran – 10.13 (10/1) R. O’Neil
1st Enniskerry 10.7 (5/4F) J. Pearce – 2nd County Council 10.6 (15/8) W. Taylor
Sht hd x 12 len. No time given
Daimio made the running from Enniskerry and Buckthorn, with County Council last, till half a mile from home, when Buckthorn fell and Wild Man From Borneo blundered. County Council then became third, and two fences from home took up the running, but was challenged in the run home by Enniskerry, who won by a short head; a bad third.
An objection to the winner for boring was overruled. (The Glasgow Herald 14/01/1898)
In early March, Oswald Gibson announced that plans to start Daimio in the Grand National Steeplechase had been scrapped. Gibson stated that Daimio’s chances of winning the Grand National were hopeless, and given that Daimio’s constitution had been so badly affected by the English climate, he would be shipped home immediately.
A week after Daimio’s scratching, a letter received by Richard Gibson from Daimio’s trainer Harry Escott was published in many Australian newspapers including the Adelaide Observer.
“I have received a letter about Daimio from his trainer, and I thought it might interest your readers to know what the trainer says.
Escott writes:- ‘Daimio eats well and looks bright, and is quite lively, but cannot go or stay, and after a gallop or a race when watering him, clots of blood run from his nose, and I am afraid he must have ruptured a blood-vessel in his head. It first happened when he got home at night after he ran at Lingfield, next time at Windsor, and again on January 29, after a good gallop of two and a half miles on the Downs at Lewes. I am afraid he is no use whatsoever here.’
From the above you will see.” writes Mr. Gibson, “how little chance there is of Daimio being any good again."
On April 26, Oswald Gibson farewelled Daimio as he began his journey home on the steamer, ‘Star Of Victoria’. It had been two years, almost to the day, since Daimio arrived in England, amidst a frenzy of publicity and with an air of invincibility about him. His deeds in Australia were common knowledge in England and the English punters couldn’t wait to see the colonial champion in action on their own turf. No doubt it was a melancholy duty for Gibson to watch Daimio being loaded onto the steamer, a mere shadow of his former self. The brothers had expected so much from Daimio’s two year campaign, and he’d delivered so little.
When the Star Of Victoria docked in Melbourne on June 9, Richard Gibson was there to welcome Daimio home. It was there that he received the horrific news that Daimio had died on the voyage home and his body disposed of at sea.
Although Daimio was being housed in secure and comfortable quarters on the main deck, he had been severely knocked-about in rough seas during a bout of bad weather. The injuries sustained by Daimio from this ordeal were severe, so severe that the only option was a single shot, a single shot that closed-out the life of one of Australia’s most unfortunate champions.
Assessing Daimio’s poor performances in England
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Assessing Daimio’s poor performances in England
Daimio’s inability to display his Australian form in England was two-fold, firstly he could not adapt to the cold and wet climate that he had been transported to, and secondly, he could not adapt to the differently designed English steeple fences.
In 1904, the sportswriter ‘Milroy’, wrote in The Sydney Mail & New South Wales Advertiser of a conversation he had had with the great Australian horseman, J. E. Brewer.
Brewer had trained and ridden steeplechasers in both countries, so the views he gave, were the views of an expert, and in this conversation with ‘Milroy’, Brewer explained how the fences in England played havoc with Daimio’s jumping style.
‘Milroy’ writes of Brewer: “He told me on his return from England that any ordinary Australian hurdler, who had never jumped Australian fences, could negotiate English steeplechase courses without trouble. The fences there are seldom stiff for more than three feet, but they are brought up to 4ft 6in in height with brush. This the average hurdler brushes through, whereas such steeplechasers as Daimio and Norton, whose Australasian experiences taught them that a hit meant a fall, used to clear these flimsy objects, jumped at least two feet more than their English opponents at every fence. Ebor and Marazona whom Brewer took to England, and who were speedy hurdlers, more at home over a mile and a half than two miles in Australia, negotiated the English steeplechase courses with ease after they had been taught to brush through the fences.
It was Daimio’s jumping style that had caused Oswald Gibson the most concern. This was the main factor in Gibson’s conclusion that Daimio would not win the ’97 Grand National. In a letter to a friend that appears earlier in this blog he wrote: “I think the greatest danger will be that he will over-jump himself and thus get tired.”
It was little wonder that Daimio was beginning to tire long before the race was over, as he had spent considerably more energy than any other horse in the race.
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