Royal Gem

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Royal Gem was a notable Australian thoroughbred racehorse. He was a brown son of Dhoti from the mare French Gem, herself a winner of the 1938 VRC Oaks.

Often asked to carry big weights by the handicappers he raced for five seasons starting 51 times for 23 wins and collecting £27,630 in prize money.

His biggest win was the 1946 VATC Caulfield Cup however, his win was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the defeat of the champion Bernborough (who finished fifth) who had won his previous 15 races. It was reported that Royal Gem’s owner G.W.Badman won £30,000 by backing his horse to win the race.

Other prominent wins included the VATC Caulfield Guineas, SAJC Goodwood Handicap, VATC Futurity Stakes and the VRC Newmarket Handicap.

Following his six-year-old season he was sold to America for a reported US$100,000. There he sired a great number of winners including the 1953 Kentucky Derby winner Dark Star.