Malua (horse)
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| Malua | |
|---|---|
| Sire | St. Albans |
| Grandsire | Blair Athol |
| Dam | Edella |
| Damsire | Peter Wilson |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1879 |
| Country | Australia |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | John Field |
| Owner | J O Inglis |
| Trainer | Isaac Foulsham |
| Record | 47: 12-10-3 |
| Earnings | $ |
| Major Racing Wins, Awards and Honours | |
| Major Racing Wins | |
| Adelaide Cup (1884) Newmarket Handicap (1884) Melbourne Stakes (1884) Oakleigh Plate (1884) Melbourne Cup (1884) Australian Cup (1886) Grand National Hurdle (1889) |
|
| Racing Awards | |
| Australian Racing Hall of Fame (2003 inductee) |
|
| Infobox last updated on: December 7, 2007. | |
Malua was one of the most versatile Australian racehorses in history. A son of St.Albans from Edella, Malua was bred by John Field of "Calstock" in Deloraine, Tasmania, and as a yearling was sold to Thomas Reibey the former Premier of Tasmania. Malua won over distances ranging from 5½ furlongs to 3¼ miles (1100 – 5200 m).
As a two-year-old the colt raced in Tasmania, where his name was Bagot. He won on three different tracks, but was then sold in the mainland to J O Inglis, who changed the colt's name to Malua.
In 1884, Malua won the Newmarket Handicap (6 furlongs/1,200 metres) and Oakleigh Plate (5.5 furlongs/1,100 metres) carrying 9 st 7 lb (60 kg/133 lb). Malua's jockey set a precedent when he took him to the outside (grandstand side) rail to win the Newmarket, a tactic not used before. The term "Malua's track" was coined to name that portion of the Flemington Racecourse.
Since then, jockeys have had no hestitation in using both sides of the Flemington track in straight races.
After a trip to Sydney, where he won the Spring Stakes, Malua returned to Melbourne for the 1884 Caulfield Cup, in which he carried 9 st 12 lb (63 kg/138 lb). He wasn't placed but finished strongly and convinced his connections to run him in the Melbourne Cup. He won the Melbourne Stakes and became favourite for the big race. Carrying 9 st 9 lb (61 kg/135 lb), Malua fought out the finish with Commotion (9 st 12 lb) to win by half a length.
Malua had a marvellous constitution and in 1886 carried 9st 9lb to win the Australian Cup. In 1888 Malua was switched to jumping, not so unusual in those days and he was successful in the VRC Grand National Hurdle.
Despite his vigorous career, Malua sired Malvolio, winner of the 1891 Melbourne Cup and Ingliston the winner of the 1900 Caulfield Cup.
A committee has begun to raise money to build a memorial to Malua in the township of Deloraine where he was born.
[edit] References
Pring, Peter (1977). Analysis of Champion Racehorses. The Thoroughbred Press. ISBN 0-908133-00-6.
Hobson, Warwick (January, 1977). "Racehorse Register". Turf Monthly 24 (37): 29.
