Arwon
Encyclopedia
Arwon was a New Zealand
bred Thoroughbred
racehorse, by Aritzo from Fair Flash, who won the 1978 Melbourne Cup
at 5 years of age.
In New Zealand he was known, and raced as Flash Guy. Arwon won the 1978 Melbourne Cup beating Dandeleith and Karu by a half neck. He would run in two more Melbourne Cups finishing ninth in 1980 to Beldale Ball
and fifth in 1981 to Just A Dash.
The name 'Arwon,' was made from reversing the word Nowra
, a town in New South Wales
where one of the syndicate that owned him lived.
Arwon was initially trained by John Morrissey in Canberra before being sent to Victorian trainer George Hanlon
who prepared him for his Melbourne Cup victory, where he was ridden by jockey Harry White
. He also won the 1980 Group 2 VATC Sandown Cup, now known as the Sandown Classic
race of 2,400 m and the 1978 VATC Herbert Power Handicap also run over 2,400 m. Arwon started in 67 races, won 16, was second 13 times and third five times.
Arwon was also the Melbourne Cup's oldest living winner until he was euthanized
in May 2007, at the age of 33.
Until two years before his death, he took part in the annual Melbourne Cup Parade down Swanston Street
, held on Cup Eve (Monday).
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
bred Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse, by Aritzo from Fair Flash, who won the 1978 Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is Australia's major Thoroughbred horse race. Marketed as "the race that stops a nation", it is a 3,200 metre race for three-year-olds and over. It is the richest "two-mile" handicap in the world, and one of the richest turf races...
at 5 years of age.
In New Zealand he was known, and raced as Flash Guy. Arwon won the 1978 Melbourne Cup beating Dandeleith and Karu by a half neck. He would run in two more Melbourne Cups finishing ninth in 1980 to Beldale Ball
Beldale Ball
Beldale Ball was a brown Thoroughbred racehorse stallion by Nashua out of the mare San Cat .Trained by Colin Hayes and owned by the Swettenham Stud Syndicate his best win came in the 1980 VRC Melbourne Cup....
and fifth in 1981 to Just A Dash.
The name 'Arwon,' was made from reversing the word Nowra
Nowra, New South Wales
Nowra is a city in the South Coast region of New South Wales, Australia. Located SSW and approximately by road south of the state capital of Sydney, it has an estimated population together with its twin-town of Bomaderry of 34,479. It is also the seat and commercial centre of the City of Shoalhaven...
, a town in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
where one of the syndicate that owned him lived.
Arwon was initially trained by John Morrissey in Canberra before being sent to Victorian trainer George Hanlon
George Hanlon
George Hanlon was an Australian race horse trainer. Inducted in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2002, Hanlon trained three Melbourne Cup winners; Piping Lane in 1972, Arwon in 1978 and Black Knight in 1984....
who prepared him for his Melbourne Cup victory, where he was ridden by jockey Harry White
Harry White (jockey)
Harry White was a top Australian jockey in the late 70s. He usually rode for the "cups king" Bart Cummings. He rode the winners of four Melbourne Cups on Think Big and Hyperno for Bart Cummings and also on Arwon for George Hanlon....
. He also won the 1980 Group 2 VATC Sandown Cup, now known as the Sandown Classic
Sandown Classic
The Zipping Classic, formerly the Sandown Classic, is a Melbourne Racing Club Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race held under weight for age conditions, for horses aged three years old and upwards, over a distance of 2400 metres. It is held at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne in November...
race of 2,400 m and the 1978 VATC Herbert Power Handicap also run over 2,400 m. Arwon started in 67 races, won 16, was second 13 times and third five times.
Arwon was also the Melbourne Cup's oldest living winner until he was euthanized
Animal euthanasia
Animal euthanasia is the act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, an animal suffering from an incurable, especially a painful, disease or condition. Euthanasia methods are designed to cause minimal pain and distress...
in May 2007, at the age of 33.
Until two years before his death, he took part in the annual Melbourne Cup Parade down Swanston Street
Swanston Street, Melbourne
Swanston Street is a major thoroughfare in the centre of Melbourne, Australia. It is historically one of the main streets of central Melbourne, laid out in 1837 as part of the Hoddle Grid, the layout of major streets that makes up the central business district...
, held on Cup Eve (Monday).