The Barb
Encyclopedia
The Barb was an Australian bred Thoroughbred
racehorse
, famed for winning the 1866 Melbourne Cup
, the Sydney Cup
twice, and other quality races. He was bred by George Lee and foaled in 1863 at Leeholme, near Bathurst, New South Wales
.
, VRC Flying Stakes
[three times] and Sydney Cup). Sir Hercules (by Cap-a-Pie (GB)) was one of the best colonial sires, having sired 18 stakeswinners for 45 stakeswins including, Yattendon, Cossack and Zoe. The Barb was sold for 200 guineas as a yearling.
, The Pearl and The Quack. The Barb proved to be highly strung and temperamental. At his first appearance he threw his rider and bolted and because of this side of his nature was known as the "Black Demon". As a spring three year old, The Barb won the sixth AJC Derby
by two lengths at his first start from a spell. The Barb started favourite in the Melbourne Cup and went on to win by a short head. The Barb continued to show he was the best horse in Australia and won the Sydney Cup
in 1868 and 1869 (under the huge weight of ). As a five-year-old The Barb was undefeated in seven starts. In all The Barb won 15 of his 23 starts.
. As a sire, The Barb was unable to produce offspring to equal his own ability. His best horses were:
The Barb was a good sire of broodmares and a granddaughter was the dam of Wallace, Carbine's
best racehorse son in Australia.
He died at the age of twenty-five in 1888 at Mr Bowler's stud, Mitta Mitta
.
Following its formation, The Barb was inducted in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame
in 2004.
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
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
, famed for winning the 1866 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...
, the Sydney Cup
Sydney Cup
The Sydney Cup is an Australian horse race, held for Thoroughbred horses and run over 3200 metres. It is run every year at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, New South Wales in April/May...
twice, and other quality races. He was bred by George Lee and foaled in 1863 at Leeholme, near Bathurst, New South Wales
Bathurst, New South Wales
-CBD and suburbs:Bathurst's CBD is located on William, George, Howick, Russell, and Durham Streets. The CBD is approximately 25 hectares and surrounds two city blocks. Within this block layout is banking, government services, shopping centres, retail shops, a park* and monuments...
.
Pedigree
The Barb was by Sir Hercules, his dam Fair Ellen (also known as Young Gulnare) was by Doctor (GB). He was a brother to Barbarian (sire of the Melbourne Cup winner, Zulu) and Barbelle (AJC Doncaster HandicapDoncaster Handicap
The Doncaster Mile is a Group One Thoroughbred horse race held at Royal Randwick Racecourse, Sydney. Although the race has traditionally been held on Easter Monday, the race is now run on the third Saturday in April. The race is contested over 1,600 metres . The prizemoney in 2010 was A$1,510,000...
, VRC Flying Stakes
The Age Classic
The Patinack Farm Classic is a Victoria Racing Club Group One Australian Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three years old and over, under weight for age conditions, over a distance of 1200 metres...
[three times] and Sydney Cup). Sir Hercules (by Cap-a-Pie (GB)) was one of the best colonial sires, having sired 18 stakeswinners for 45 stakeswins including, Yattendon, Cossack and Zoe. The Barb was sold for 200 guineas as a yearling.
Racing record
He was owned and trained by Honest John Tait, who owned and trained three other Melbourne Cup winners: GlencoeGlencoe II
Glencoe was a notable Australian bred Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1868 Melbourne Cup and eight other principal races.-Pedigree:...
, The Pearl and The Quack. The Barb proved to be highly strung and temperamental. At his first appearance he threw his rider and bolted and because of this side of his nature was known as the "Black Demon". As a spring three year old, The Barb won the sixth AJC Derby
AJC Derby
The Australian Derby also known as AJC Derby, is a Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race run by the Australian Jockey Club at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia. Open to three year olds, the race is held annually in the latter part of March or early April...
by two lengths at his first start from a spell. The Barb started favourite in the Melbourne Cup and went on to win by a short head. The Barb continued to show he was the best horse in Australia and won the Sydney Cup
Sydney Cup
The Sydney Cup is an Australian horse race, held for Thoroughbred horses and run over 3200 metres. It is run every year at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, New South Wales in April/May...
in 1868 and 1869 (under the huge weight of ). As a five-year-old The Barb was undefeated in seven starts. In all The Barb won 15 of his 23 starts.
Stud record
After The Barb was retired from racing, owner John Tait sold him to Charles Reynolds who sent him to stand at Tocal Stud in the Hunter ValleyHunter Valley
The Hunter Region, more commonly known as the Hunter Valley, is a region of New South Wales, Australia, extending from approximately to north of Sydney with an approximate population of 645,395 people. Most of the population of the Hunter Region lives within of the coast, with 55% of the entire...
. As a sire, The Barb was unable to produce offspring to equal his own ability. His best horses were:
- The Barber, QTC Moreton Handicap
- Strathearn, QTC Brisbane CupBrisbane CupThe Brisbane Cup is a Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race for three year olds and upwards, run under handicap conditions over a distance of 2400 metres at Eagle Farm Racecourse, Brisbane in June...
- Tocal, VRC Royal Park Stakes, AJC All Aged StakesAll Aged StakesThe All Aged Stakes is a Group 1 Australian Thoroughbred horse race at Weight for Age, run over a distance of 1,400 metres at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney in April or May...
The Barb was a good sire of broodmares and a granddaughter was the dam of Wallace, Carbine's
Carbine (horse)
Carbine , was an outstanding New Zealand bred Thoroughbred racehorse, who competed in New Zealand and later Australia. During his racing career he won 30 stakes or principal races...
best racehorse son in Australia.
He died at the age of twenty-five in 1888 at Mr Bowler's stud, Mitta Mitta
Mitta Mitta, New South Wales
Mitta Mitta is a farming community in the north eastern part of the Riverina. It is situated by road, about 30 kilometres south from Bethungra and 21 kilometres north east from Nangus...
.
Following its formation, The Barb was inducted in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame
Australian Racing Hall of Fame
The Australian Racing Hall of Fame is part of the Australian Racing Museum which documents and honours the horseracing legends of Australia. The museum officially opened in 1981 and created the Hall of Fame in 2000....
in 2004.