The Barb

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For information on the breed of horses: Barb

The Barb was an Australian thoroughbred racehorse, famed for winning the 1866 Melbourne Cup. He was foaled in Bathurst in 1863, sired by Sir Hercules out of Fair Ellen, and was sold for 200 guineas.

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 6th 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 10st 8lbs). In all The Barb won 16 of his 23 starts. He was owned and trained by John Tait, who owned and trained three other Melbourne Cup winners: Glencoe, The Pearl and The Quack.

As a sire The Barb was unable to produce offspring to equal his own success. However, he proved a good sire of broodmares and a granddaughter gained immortality as the dam of Wallace, Carbine's best racehorse son in Australia.

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Recently, he was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.