Poseidon (horse)

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Poseidon
Image:Poseidon_tom_clayton.jpg

Poseidon (c 1906) with jockey Tom Clayton

Sire Positano
Dam Jacinth
Damsire Martini-Henry
Sex Stallion
Foaled 1903
Country Australia
Colour Brown
Breeder Richard Halifax Dangar (Neotsfield Stud)
Owner Sir Hugh Denison
Trainer Isaac Earnshaw
Record 33: 19-4-3
Earnings £19,946 [1]
Major Racing Wins, Awards and Honours
Major Racing Wins
Melbourne Cup (1906)
Caulfield Cup (1906, 1907)
AJC Derby (1906)
Victoria Derby (1906)
VRC St Leger Stakes (1907)
Melbourne Stakes (1907)
AJC Plate (1908)
Rawson Stakes (1908)
Racing Awards
Australian Racing Hall of Fame
(2004 inductee)
Infobox last updated on: December 7, 2007.

Poseidon (August 19, 1903 - February 3, 1930) is an Australian Thoroughbred Hall of Fame racehorse.

Owned by Sir Hugh Denison, trained by Isaac Earnshaw, and ridden throughout his career by Tom Clayton, Poseidon won 19 races over distances ranging between 5 furlongs and 3 miles. Of these wins, 16 were "Principal Races" (equivalent to today's "Black Type" races), 8 of them now of Group 1 status. As a three year old in 1906/07, Poseidon had 14 starts for 11 wins, including the Caulfield Cup (in race record time), Melbourne Cup, Victoria Derby and AJC Derby.

In achieving this, Poseidon became the first horse to complete the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double. In winning the Caulfield Cup again the following year, he also became the first horse to win consecutive Caulfield Cups.

At the end of his career, Poseidon was retired to stud where he produced 2 Principal Race winning progeny. Poseidon died on February 3, 1930 at 26 years of age. Each year the Listed VRC Poseidon Stakes for 3 year old colts and geldings is run in his honour.

Contents

[edit] Early history

Poseidon was foaled on August 19 1903 at R H Dangar's Neotsfield Stud in NSW. He was from the 5th crop of his sire Positano (GB) and was the 5th foal of his dam Jacinth (Aus), a daughter of Martini-Henry (NZ), winner of 1883 VRC Melbourne Cup.

At the dispersal of the Neotsfield Stud, he was sold to the Moses brothers as a foal at foot with his dam for 400 guineas. The Moses brothers went on to establish the Arrowfield Stud near Singleton, NSW.

Interested only in the dam and not the foal at foot, Poseidon was later sold to Sir Hugh Denison for 500 guineas at the April 1905 Chisholm and Co Yearling Sales in Sydney.

[edit] Season 1905/06 - 2 year old

6 starts: 1-0-1

Unplaced in his racing debut, Poseidon won at his second start as favourite by 4 lengths. Then sent to Melbourne, he had two starts but did not figure in the placings. Sent back to Sydney, Poseidon was off the board in the AJC Champagne Stakes. In his last 2-year-old start he finished in a dead heat for 3rd in the AJC Nursery Handicap, and was then sent out for a spell.

[edit] Season 1906/07 - 3 year old

Tom Clayton - Poseidon's regular jockey
Tom Clayton - Poseidon's regular jockey

14 starts: 11-3-0

Poseidon had an exemplary career as a 3 year old.

He began his three year old season with wins in 2 minor races, before winning the AJC Derby by 3 lengths, ahead of the two favourites. Just two days later, he raced against older competition for the first time in the AJC Metropolitan Handicap, finishing in 2nd place to Solution (NZ).

Heading down to Melbourne, Poseidon chalked up an amazing string of wins. First came the VATC Eclipse Stakes in record time, then just 2 days later the Caulfield Cup in Race Record time, the VRC Victoria Derby, and finally the VRC Melbourne Cup.

After a spell over Christmas, Posedion returned in the Autumn and continued on his winning ways with wins in the VATC St Helier Stakes, VRC St Leger Stakes, and the VRC Loch Plate. He then finished 2nd to Dividend in the 3 mile VRC Champion Stakes, before heading back to Sydney for the Autumn Racing Carnival.

In his two starts in the Autumn, Poseidon won the AJC St Ledger, but in his last start as a 3 year old, he finished 2nd again to Dividend in the AJC Cumberland Stakes.

During his 3 year old season, Poseidon won approximately £12,000 in prizemoney.

[edit] Season 1907/08 - 4 year old

12 starts: 7-1-2

Poseidon continued on his winning way as a 4 year old.

At his first start back in the Rawson Stakes he finished third, but won at his next start, in the WFA AJC Spring Stakes (12-fur) at Randwick ahead of stablemate Apologue. At his second start Poseidon disappointed his backers with a poor third in the AJC Craven Plate, after Antonius had cannoned into him mid-race and knocked the wind out of the him.

Moving back down to Melbourne for the Spring Carnival, Poseidon returned to form, winning the WFA VATC Eclipse Stakes at Caulfield on October 16, 1907, the Wednesday before the Caulfield Cup.

There were 16 starters in the Caulfield Cup in 1907, and after the start he was dropped towards the rear of the field. Jockey Tom Clayton waited to the half mile then set off on Poseidon. Poseidon raced around the field and dashed clear with a winning break, the Cup in his keeping. He had become the first horse to win consecutive Caulfield Cups.

On Derby Day, as 1-3 favourite, Poseidon won again beating Apologue in the VRC Melbourne Stakes.

Next was the Melbourne Cup, but as a result of his Caulfield Cup win, Poseidon was given a 10lb penalty, and had to carry 10.3 (65kg). The weight told, and Poseidon finished in 8th place with the win going to Apologue who carried only 7.9 (48.5kg).

Poseidon's return to the track in 1908 was delayed by a minor leg problem. He bypassed the Melbourne Autumn Carnival but in a shortened Sydney program, won three of his four starts. His only failure was a 4th place to Tartan in the AJC Autumn Stakes.

[edit] Season 1908/09 - 5 year old

1 unplaced start.

Poseidon returned as a 5 year old for one last campaign. After finishing 5th in the RRC Rawson Stakes, he pulled up sore. As he would require a long spell away from the track to recover, the decision was made to retire Poseidon to stud duties.

[edit] Stud record

Upon his retirement from the track, Poseidon's owner established the 'Eurmeralla Stud' at Gulgong, NSW, and purchased a number of well-bred Australian and British mares to give Poseidon every chance of success as a sire.[2]

His best performers were the "Principal Race" winners:

  • Rascasse
  • 1915 QTC Queensland Derby
  • Telecles
  • 1918 WmtnRC Australia Day Cup
  • 1919 MVRC Moonee Valley Cup

[edit] Race record

1905-06 Season as a Two Year Old

Result
Date
Race
Venue
Distance
Weight(St)
Time
Jockey
Winner/2nd
Unpl 01/01/1906 Tatts Club (NSW) Handicap - 5½f 7.9 1:9 Tom Clayton Barrenjoey 1st
Won 26/01/1906 AJC First Nursery Handicap Randwick 5f 7.10 1:1.75 Tom Clayton Roosevelt 2nd
Unpl 24/02/1906 VATC Alma Stakes Caulfield 6f 8.5 1:15.5 Tom Clayton Galeria 1st
Unpl 06/03/1906 VRC Junior Handicap Flemington 6f 8.3 1:16.6 Tom Clayton Melodrama 1st
Unpl 16/04/1906 AJC Champagne Stakes Randwick 6f 8.10 1:16.25 Tom Clayton Collarit 1st
3rd (DH) 21/04/1906 AJC Second Nursery Handicap Randwick 6f 7.8 1:16.5 Tom Clayton Melodrama 1st


1906-07 Season as a Three Year Old

Result
Date
Race
Venue
Distance
Weight(St)
Time
Jockey
Winner/2nd
Won 08/09/1906 Tatts Club (NSW) Welter Handicap - 8f 8.2 1:41.25 Tom Clayton Melodrama 2nd
Won 22/09/1906 Hawkesbury RC Spring Handicap - 10f 100yds 7.10 2:15.25 Tom Clayton Oak Grafton 2nd
Won 29/09/1906 AJC Derby Randwick 12f 8.10 2:38 Tom Clayton Collarit 2nd
2nd 01/10/1906 AJC Metropolitan Handicap Randwick 12f 7.9 2:33.5 Tom Clayton Solution 1st
Won 17/10/1906 VATC Eclipse Stakes (WFA) Caulfield 11f 8.2 2:21.75 *R Tom Clayton Iolaire 2nd
Won 20/10/1906 VATC Caulfield Cup Caulfield 12f 7.7 2:34.25 *RR Tom Clayton Simoda 2nd
Won 03/11/1906 VRC Derby Flemington 12f 8.10 2:40.5 Tom Clayton Antonious 2nd
Won 06/11/1906 VRC Melbourne Cup Flemington 2m 7.6 3:31.5 Tom Clayton Antonious 2nd
Won 23/02/1907 VATC St Helier Stakes Caulfield 12f 8.8 2:39 Tom Clayton Realm 2nd
Won 02/03/1907 VRC St Leger Stakes Flemington 14f 8.10 3:11 Tom Clayton Booran 2nd
Won 07/03/1907 VRC Loch Plate (WFA) Flemington 2m 8.0 3:34.5 Tom Clayton Dividend 2nd
2nd 09/03/1907 VRC Champion Stakes Flemington 3m 7.12 5:29.5 Tom Clayton Dividend 1st
Won 30/03/1907 AJC St Leger Randwick 14f 8.10 3:22.25 Tom Clayton Oakton 2nd
2nd 03/04/1907 AJC Cumberland Stakes (WFA) Randwick 2m 8.2 3:31.5 Tom Clayton Dividend 1st


1907-08 Season as a Four Year Old

Result
Date
Race
Venue
Distance
Weight(St)
Time
Jockey
Winner/2nd
3rd 14/09/1907 RRC Rawson Stakes Rosehill abt 9f 9.7 1:52.25 Tom Clayton Mountain King 1st
Won 05/10/1907 AJC Spring Stakes (WFA) Randwick 12f 9.0 2:34.25 Tom Clayton Apologue 2nd
3rd 09/10/1907 AJC Craven Plate (WFA) Randwick 10f 9.0 2:7.25 Tom Clayton Mountain King 1st
Won 16/10/1907 VATC Eclipse Stakes (WFA) Caulfield 11f 9.0 2:23.75 Tom Clayton May King 2nd
Won 19/10/1907 VATC Caulfield Cup Caulfield 12f 9.3 2:35.5 Tom Clayton Apologue 2nd
Won 02/11/1907 VRC Melbourne Stakes (WFA) Flemington 10f 9.0 2:12.25 Tom Clayton Apologue 2nd
Unpl 05/11/1907 VRC Melbourne Cup Flemington 2m 10.3 3:27.5 Tom Clayton Apologue 1st
2nd 09/11/1907 VRC C B Fisher Plate (WFA) Flemington 12f 9.0 2:40 Tom Clayton Mountain King 1st
Won 04/04/1908 RRC Rawson Stakes Rosehill 9f 9.7 1:55.5 Tom Clayton Decollette 2nd
Unpl 18/04/1908 AJC Autumn Stakes (WFA) Randwick 12f 9.0 2:39.5 Tom Clayton Tartan 1st
Won 22/04/1908 AJC Cumberland Stakes (WFA) Randwick 2m 9.0 3:34.5 Tom Clayton Tartan 2nd
Won 25/04/1908 AJC Plate (WFA) Randwick 3m 9.0 6:49.25 Tom Clayton Tartan 2nd


1908-09 Season as a Five Year Old

Result
Date
Race
Venue
Distance
Weight(St)
Time
Jockey
Winner/2nd
Unpl 12/09/1908 RRC Rawson Stakes Rosehill 9f 9.11 1:52.25 Tom Clayton Perkeo 1st

[edit] Pedigree

Pedigree of Poseidon
Sire
Positano (GB)
1893
St. Simon (GB)
1881
Galopin (GB) Vedette (GB)
Flying Duchess (GB)
St Angela (GB) King Tom (GB)
Adeline (GB)
Ponza (GB)
1887
Springfield (GB) St Albans (GB)
Viridis (GB)
Napoli (GB) Macaroni (GB)
Sunshine (GB)
Dam
Jacinth (Aus)
1894
Martini-Henry (NZ)
1880
Musket (GB) Toxophilite (GB)
West Australian mare (GB)
Sylvia (Aus) Fisherman (GB)
Juliet (GB)
Iantha (Aus)
1886
Chester (Aus) Yattendon (Aus)
Lady Chester (GB)
Iolanthe (Aus) Maribyrnong (Aus)
Rosedale (GB) (Family: 10D)

[edit] References

  1. ^ Pollard, Jack (1981). The Pictorial History of Australian Horse Racing. Lansdowne Press, p148. ISBN 0-7018-1468-3. 
  2. ^ Warwick Hobson. Poseidon and 'Louis The Possum'. Retrieved on 2007-06-20.

[edit] Sources

Warwick Hobson. Poseidon and 'Louis The Possum'. Retrieved on 2007-06-20.

Robyn Lobb. Famous Australian Racehorses. Retrieved on 2007-06-27.

Pring, Peter (1977). Analysis of Champion Racehorses. The Thoroughbred Press. ISBN 0-908133-00-6. 

Australia's Champion Racehorses. Federal Publishing Company.