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New Zealand Thoroughbred racehorse From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Martini-Henri | |
---|---|
Sire | Musket |
Grandsire | Toxopholite |
Dam | Sylvia |
Damsire | Fisherman |
Sex | Stallion |
Foaled | 1880 |
Died | 1903 |
Country | New Zealand |
Colour | Bay |
Breeder | Auckland Stud Company |
Owner | Hon. James White |
Trainer | Michael Fennelly |
Major wins | |
Victoria Derby (1883) Melbourne Cup (1883) VRC St Leger (1884) |
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]
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]
As a breeding stallion, his most notable progeny included:
Martini-Henry died at Bexley Station, Queensland on 9 May 1903 of a stomach tumour.[6]
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