Bernborough
The
Missing Years
Most Australians with any knowledge of horseracing will be familiar with the name, Bernborough.
They will know of his fifteen straight wins over an eleven month period between December 1945 and October 1946, where, in a three state blitz, he beat the best sprinters and middle-distance gallopers in the country. They will know of his barnstorming Newmarket Handicap win that is still regarded by many as the greatest performance ever seen on an Australian racecourse.
They will most surely know of Bernborough’s Doomben double where he won The T M Ahern Memorial Stakes (now the Doomben 10,000) over 6 furlongs, then came out the following Saturday and won the 11 furlong Doomben Cup.
And, they will also know of his sensational failure in
the 1946 Caulfield Cup and his
tragic breakdown in the LKS Mackinnon
Stakes a fortnight later.
But what do these people know of Bernborough’s career before he arrived in Sydney as a six year old in
August 1945? Some will know that from his two year old days through to the end
of his five year old season he was banned from racing at every racecourse in
Australia except one – Clifford Park in Toowoomba.
So what caused this extraordinary situation to occur, a
situation that saw the best racehorse in the country locked out of virtually
every racecourse in that country during his most formidable years.
If you’d like to know the answer, then....read on
Bernborough’s
story starts on May 23rd 1940 when an aging mare and her nervous
eight month old male bay foal are waiting to enter the Rosalie Plains sale-ring
as part of the estate of the late H. J. Winten.
Harry Winten was a successful owner and breeder and was
part of a family that was well known within the Queensland racing industry and
his executors had arranged for his racing and breeding stock to be auctioned. Bern
Maid and her foal by Emborough were Lot 3 at the auction which consisted of 25
thoroughbreds, some of the mares, like Bern Maid, with foals at foot.
Jack had made arrangements with his father, Frank Bach to pay for his purchase from his cheque account, Jack would then reimburse his father when he secured payment from Albert Hadwen for the Emborough foal.
Everything so far seems to be going along nicely, but
that would soon change, Jack Bach has no idea that his payment for Lot 3 with a
cheque drawn by his father will have ramifications that will be felt by nearly
every person connected with the bay foal for many years to come.
Albert Hadwen is happy with the purchase that Jack Bach
made on his behalf and makes arrangements for the Emborough colt who he would
register as “Bernborough” to stay at the Bach’s family property, where he can
be broken-in and educated for his future racing career.
In January 1941 Frank Bach, his son Frank jun and Percy
Strickley were charged with “ringing-in” offences at Brisbane, Oakey, Bundamba
and other Queensland racecourses. All three were immediately disqualified for
life by the Queensland Turf Club stewards and were set to stand trial later in
the year.
Through no fault of his own, Albert Hadwen finds himself
caught up in the “ring-in” scandal.
Hadwen is told by QTC stewards that they would not accept
his bona-fides as the sole owner of Bernborough and that Bernborough would be
banned from racing at all QTC controlled racecourses.
Initially, the QTC's reasoning seems quite justified, for as
they see it, Bernborough was bought at auction with a cheque drawn by Frank
Bach and was also stabled at Frank Bach’s property at a time when he was
disqualified and awaiting trial for charges of conspiracy to defraud.
Frank Bach and his two co-accused went to trial at the
Toowoomba Circuit Court in October 1941 and with the jury delivering a not
guilty verdict on the charge of conspiracy, the trio were discharged.
Although Frank Bach had been found not guilty by a court
of law, the QTC were under no obligation to lift his life disqualification, so
they continued to enforce it.
While all these dramas were being played out, Bernborough
had developed into a magnificent individual and was being trained by Bob
Mitchell at his Toowoomba stables. Mitchell had Bernborough race fit and ready
to begin his racing career, but the big question was, where would he be allowed
to race?
On January 26 1942, Bernborough stepped out at
Toowoomba’s Clifford Park racecourse to take his place in the Australia Day
Maiden Handicap over five furlongs. Clifford Park was run by the Toowoomba Turf
Club and were under no obligation to adhere to any ruling on Bernborough’s
ownership by the QTC. Despite pressure from the QTC to stop Bernborough
competing at the club’s Australia Day meeting, the TTC stood firm on their
decision and allowed Bernborough to start.
Bernborough, who was well backed to start 5/2 second
favourite finished fourth of the ten starters to the even money favourite, Blue
Val. Although there was merit in Bernborough’s run, Albert Hadwen was
disappointed in his overall performance and began making arrangements to lease
the big bay colt to his friend, Frank Roberts.
Bernborough was to have one more start under the
ownership of Albert Hadwen before being signed over to Frank Roberts for a
lease agreement of eighteen months. Once again Bernborough stepped out over
five furlongs at Clifford Park and once again the QTC unsuccessfully tried to
stop him. Bernborough finished a half-length second to Dunfor but a protest
from his rider Les Watterson for interference just after the start, saw the
placings reversed and Bernborough had won his first race. Albert Hadwen was
thrilled with Bernborough’s performance and he was now lamenting his decision
to lease Bernborough to Frank Roberts. But Hadwen was an honest man and would
not go back on his agreement to lease Bernborough to his friend. Roberts eighteen
month lease on Bernborough started on February 23 1942 and terminated on July
23 1943, Bernborough would remain with Bob Mitchell, for the time being.
Bernborough’s first start for his new owner, Frank
Roberts, resulted in a second placing over five furlongs behind Wee Did.
Bernborough started the 5/4 favourite, and, flashing home from back in the
field failed by only a long head to catch the winner. Frank Roberts knew at
once that he had a very promising galloper on his hands, he also knew that
Bernborough would be at his best as the distances got longer.
Two weeks after his second placing, Bernborough 2/1
favourite records his first win for Roberts and his second career win when he scores
a length win over Blue Val in a Fifth Division Handicap over 5 ½ furlongs. Bernborough’s
next start, a Two Year Old Handicap resulted in the most impressive performance
of his short career so far. Bernborough raced away to record a 3 ½ length win over
5 furlongs carrying 8.8. Albert Hadwen and Frank Roberts always knew they had
something good, now everyone knew. Although pleased with Bernborough’s
performance, Bob Mitchell must have been feeling quite dejected as owner Frank
Roberts has decided to take over the training of the big striding bay.
The QTC are not happy that the Toowoomba Turf Club will not
buy their conspiracy theory, a theory that has now expanded to include
Bernborough’s new owner, Frank Roberts.
An enquiry conducted by the TTC in April into the
ownership of Bernborough resulted in the finding that Albert Hadwen was the
bona-fide owner of Bernborough and that Frank Roberts raced the horse on lease in
his own interests. There was no involvement from any other parties.
Despite the conclusive findings of the TTC, the QTC were
not letting go of their conspiracy theory regarding Bernborough’s ownership and
still refused to allow him to race in Brisbane.
A 5 ½ furlong Two Year Old Handicap on 16 May would
complete Bernborough’s two year old season. Top-weight in the field of five,
Bernborough carried his 9.9 impost to a 2 length win. He had now won his last
three races.
With Bernborough’s future racing seemingly restricted to
Clifford Park, Frank Roberts decides if Bernborough is to be tested against
better class opposition then he must take his champion interstate.
Arriving in Sydney in mid-June, Roberts sets up quarters
at Rosehill and immediately begins getting Bernborough ready for a tilt at the
big time. It didn’t take long for a spanner to be thrown into the works,
courtesy of the QTC. Before setting off for Sydney, Roberts acquired a
clearance certificate from the TTC supposedly allowing Bernborough to race in
NSW, only problem was the AJC also required a clearance from the principal race
club in Queensland, the QTC, which they once again refused to give.
After wasting a great deal of time, effort and money on a
Sydney campaign that never happened, Roberts and Bernborough return home to
Queensland. Realising that nothing he or Albert Hadwen could say or do would
change the position of the QTC, Roberts has no other option but to continue to
race Bernborough at Toowoomba’s Clifford Park. Bernborough would have four more
starts for Frank Roberts, winning them all as he closes out his three year old
season.
When Frank Roberts lease expires on July 23 1943, Albert
Hadwen placed him in the care of well-known and respected trainer Bob Fawcett.
Hadwen knows only too well that as long as he owns the big bay he will never be
allowed to race at any other track in Australia bar Clifford Park. Despite the
ban on Bernborough by the QTC and the many lucrative offers made to buy
Bernborough, Albert Hadwen continued to race Bernborough for another two years.
Bernborough’s form in that two year period was probably
the worst of his career with just one win and a third placing from seven
starts. Bernborough seemed to be regularly sore and suffered regular bouts of
lameness, keeping him sound and race fit was becoming a difficult task. The
last of the seven starts mentioned was the 1945 Toowoomba Cup where Bernborough
carrying 9.6 finished eleventh of fifteen runners behind the very talented
Abruzzi who carried top-weight of 9.9.
Bernborough pulled-up very lame after that Toowoomba Cup,
so lame that Albert Hadwen thought Bernborough’s racing days might be finished.
Hadwen took Bernborough out of training and sent him to Deagon trainer Ernie
Peck in the hope that Peck might find the the reason for Bernborough’ lameness.
Peck found that Bernborough was suffering from corns in both front feet and
after cutting them out it was hoped that Bernborough’s regular feet problems would
be cured.
And it was.
On June 30, three months after the Toowoomba Cup, Bernborough
showed he was back to his brilliant best by winning two races on the same
card.
After easily winning the 6 furlong Flying Handicap under
9.7, Bernborough came out two races later and won the Handicap event over 9
furlongs carrying the steadier of 10.3. It was a feat that would be talked
about for years to come by those who were lucky enough to have witnessed it.
A month after his famous double success, Bernborough,
carrrying a massive 10.12 (69Kgs) ran a gallant second to Southpaw in a 6
furlong Handicap event. Southpaw carrying 8.3 (52Kgs) defeated Bernborough by
one length in equal course record time.
This would be Bernborough’s last start for Albert Hadwen
and his last appearance at the Clifford Park track.
Albert Hadwen decided it was time to sell Bernborough.
As Harry Plant got to know Bernborough he soon realised
that he’d been put in charge of a very special horse, a horse he decided he
must have for himself.
Azzalin Romano was a very wealthy man, a well-known
Sydney restauranteur and a friend of Harry Plant’s, with whom he had several horses
in training. Romano had heard that Harry was looking after a mystery horse from
Queensland and quizzed him about the horse’s prospects.
Plant didn’t try to deceive Romano, he told him exactly
what he thought of Bernborough and that he hoped to secure him at the auction.
Romano had a better idea, he’d buy Bernborough and Harry
would train him.
Harry knew at once that his plan to buy Bernborough had
been dashed, for Azazlin Romano had the kind of money that could buy him
anything he wanted and as soon as he decided that he’d bid on Bernborough there
was never any doubt that he would be Bernborough’s new owner.
Bernborough was knocked down to Romano for 2600 guineas.
With the shackles that had been restricting Bernborough
for the past four years finally removed, it was now “showtime” for the
long-striding Bay.
And what a show it was!
Career Record
38 Starts
26 Wins – 2 Seconds – 1 Third
Prizemoney – £25,502
2YO
4th 26 Jan
1942 Clifford Park
Trainer R. J. Mitchell
Rider J. Wales 8.1 (51)
11 Ran – SP 5/2
1st Blue Val 8.10 (55.5)
2nd Dunfor 8.3 (52)
3rd Cockatoo 8.6 (53.5)
2 len x nk. Time 1:04 4/5
WON 7 Feb 1942
Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club Maiden Hcp 5f
Trainer R. J. Mitchell
Rider L. Watterson 8.5 (53)
8 Ran – SP 5/2F
2nd Dunfor 8.9 (55)
3rd Cockatoo 8.9 (55)
½ len x 3 len. Time 1:03 3/5
Dunfor was first
past the post but later lost the race on
protest for
interference to Bernborough shortly after the start
Nomination
Rejected 14 Feb 1942 Ipswich
Ipswich Amateur
Turf Club 2YO H’Cap 5 ½f
(This racebook
shows Bernborough as one of 17 runners nominated for the Ipswich Amateur Turf
Club’s meeting of February 14 1942. Bernborough was to
start in the Two Year Old Handicap but was not permitted to race due to the ban
that the QTC had placed on him regarding the bona fides of his owner.)
Feb 23 1942 – Albert Hadwen leases Bernborough to Frank
Roberts for a period of 18 months
2nd 7 Mar 1942 Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club 2YO Hcp 5f
Toowoomba Turf Club 2YO Hcp 5f
Trainer R. J. Mitchell
Rider H. McFarlane 8.7 (54)
10 Ran – SP 5/4F
1st Wee Did 7.10 (49)
3rd Brumond 7.7 (47.5)
Lng hd x 6 len. Time 1:04
Bernborough has in first run in the ownership of Frank Roberts
WON 21 Mar
1942 Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club Fifth Division Hcp 5 ½f
Trainer R. J. Mitchell
Rider L. Watterson 8.3 (52)
15 Ran – SP 2/1F
2nd Blue Val 7.13 (50.5)
3rd Ballanda 8.3 (52)
1 len x 1 len. Time 1:09 4/5
WON 4 April
1942 Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club 2YO Hcp 5f
Trainer R. J. Mitchell
Rider L. Watterson 8.8 (54.5)
7 Ran – SP EvensF
2nd Fine Wear 7.7 (47.5)
3rd Shyness 8.1 (51)
3 ½ len x 2 ½ len. Time 1:03 2/5
Nomination
Rejected 2 May 1942 Albion Park
Queensland
Turf Club Juvenile H’Cap second Division 5 ½f
(This racebook
shows Bernborough as one of 9 runners nominated for the QTC’s Albion Park
meeting of May 2nd 1942. Bernborough was to start in the second
division of the Juvenile Handicap but was not permitted to race due to the ban
that the QTC had placed on him regarding the bona fides of his owner.)
Nomination
Rejected 9 May 1942 Albion Park
Queensland Turf
Club Nursery H’Cap 7f
(This Courier Mail
clipping shows Bernborough as one of 11 runners nominated for the QTC’s Albion
Park meeting of May 9 1942.
Bernborough was to
start in the Nursery Handicap (7f) but was not permitted to race due to
the ban
that the QTC had placed on him in relation to the bona fides of his owner.)
WON 16 May
1942 Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club 2YO Hcp 5 ½f
Trainer J. Roberts
Rider L. Watterson 9.9 (61)
5 Ran – SP 4/6F
2nd Logie O’Buchan 7.7 (47.5)
3rd Regal Bob 7.13 (50.5)
2 len x 2 len. Time 1.11
Owner Frank Roberts has taken over the training of
Bernborough
from Bob Mitchell
3YO
WON 1 August
1942 Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club Third Division Hcp 6f
Trainer J. Roberts
Rider T. Dwyer 7.7 (47.5)
7 Ran – SP 6/4F
2nd Godfrey M. 9.4 (59)
3rd Wedbridge 7.8 (48)
½ hd x 5 len. Time 1:15 3/5
WON 23 Jan
1943 Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club First Division Hcp 7f
Trainer J. Roberts
Rider A. Tindall 7.10 (49)
7 Ran – SP 4/6F
2nd Shotover 7.7 (47.5)
3rd Dennice W. 8.3 (52)
5 len x 5 len. Time 1:31
WON 13 Feb
1943 Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club First Division Hcp 7f
Trainer J. Roberts
Rider L. Watterson 8.11 (56)
7 Ran – SP 2/5F
2nd Dennice W. 8.3 (52)
3rd Duneira’s Pride 7.13 (50.5)
4 len x ¾ len. Time 1:27 1/5
WON 10 April
1943 Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club First Division Hcp 7f
Trainer J. Roberts
Rider L. Watterson 9.0 (57)
8 Ran – SP 4/6F
2nd Yeoman 8.3 (52)
3rd Marcondis 8.12 (56)
2 len x 4 len. Time 1:26 2/5
(equal track record)
23 July 1943 – With Frank Roberts lease on Bernborough now
expired, Albert Hadwen takes back control of Bernborough and appoints Bob
Fawcett as trainer.
4YO 
3rd
27 Dec 1943 Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club Boxing Day Hcp 7f
Trainer R. Fawcett
Rider G. Pownall 10.10 (68)
7 Ran – SP 7/4
1st Abruzzi 9.8 (61)
2nd Hackee 8.13 (56.5)
2 len x 4 ½ len. Time 1:27 2/5
4th 8
April 1944 Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club Weetwood Hcp 6f
Trainer R. Fawcett
Rider K. Lee 9.3 (58.5)
7 Ran – SP 6/4
1st Abruzzi 9.2 (58)
2nd Eve Spearfelt 8.7 (54)
3rd Southpaw 7.7 (47.5)
1 ½ len x 1 ½ len. Time 1:14 2/5
(equal course record)
5YO 
4th
28 Oct 1944 Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club Welter Hcp 7f
Trainer R. Fawcett
Rider W. Neilson 9.6 (60)
6 Ran – SP 6/1
1st Abruzzi 10.9 (67.5)
2nd Lady Emborough 8.3 (52)
3rd Common Sense 9.0 (57)
Lng hd x nk. Time 1:27
WON 11 Nov
1944 Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club Spring Hcp 7f
Trainer R. Fawcett
Rider W. Neilson 8.9 (55)
7 Ran – SP 6/4
2nd Abruzzi 10.3 (65)
3rd Yeoman 9.8 (61)
2 len x 2 len. Time 1:25 3/5
(course record)
7th
10 Mar 1945 Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club Welter Hcp 6f
Trainer R. Fawcett
Rider W. Neilson 10.9 (67.5)
12 Ran – SP 7/1
1st Silverdale 8.0 (51)
2nd Lady Emborough 8.9 (55)
3rd Three Imps 8.2 (51.5)
Nk x ¾ len. Time 1:16
4th 31
Mar 1945 Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club Weetwood Hcp 6f
Trainer R. Fawcett
Rider W. Neilson 9.6 (60)
13 Ran – SP 7/1
1st Narringo 7.7 (47.5)
2nd Eve Spearfelt 9.1 (57.5)
3rd Southpaw 7.10 (49)
Sht hd x nk. Time 1:15
11th 2
April 1945 Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club Toowoomba Cup 9f
Trainer R. Fawcett
Rider W. Neilson 9.6 (60)
15 Ran – SP 2/1F
1st Abruzzi 9.9 (61)
2nd Bron 7.7 (47.5)
3rd Yeoman 9.6 (60)
Hd x ½ len. Time 1:52
15 April 1945 – Albert Hadwen replaces Bob Fawcett with
Ernie Peck as trainer of Bernborough
WON 30 June
1945 Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club Flying Hcp 6f
Trainer W. E. Peck
Rider C. Powell 9.7 (60.5)
9 Ran – SP 4/7F
2nd Bron 8.1 (51)
3rd Eve Spearfelt 9.9 (61)
2 ½ len x 1 ½ len. Time 1:14 3/5
WON 30 June
1945 Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club Clifford Park Hcp 9f
Trainer W. E. Peck
Rider C. Powell 10.3 (65)
8 Ran – SP 4/5F
2nd Logie O’Buchan 7.7 (47.5)
3rd Southpaw 8.11 (56)
½ len x 3 len. Time 1:52 3/5
This was Bernborough’s second win on the same program.
He had already won the 6f Flying Hcp two races earlier
2nd
28 July 1945 Clifford Park
Toowoomba Turf Club Clifford Park Hcp 6f
Trainer W. E. Peck
Rider H. Hornery 10.12 (69)
7 Ran – SP 4/7F
1st Southpaw 8.3 (52)
3rd Eve Spearfelt 9.6 (60)
1 len x ½ len. Time 1:14 2/5
(equal course record)
6YO
5 October 1945 – Albert Hadwen puts Bernborough up for
auction where he is purchased by Sydney restauranteur Mr Azzalin Romano for
2600 guineas.
Bernborough is then transferred to the Rosebery stables of his new trainer, Harry Plant.
Bernborough is then transferred to the Rosebery stables of his new trainer, Harry Plant.
4th
8 Dec 1945 Canterbury
STC Belmore Flying Hcp 7 ¼ f
Trainer H. T. Plant
Rider N. McGrowdie 9.3 (58.5)
16 Ran – Barrier 14 – SP 8/1
1st Bravo 9.0 (57)
2nd King Of The Mist 8.0 (51)
3rd Young Veilmond 6.13 (44)
¾ len x ½ hd. Time 1:30
WON 22 Dec
1945 Randwick
AJC Villiers Stakes 1 mile
Trainer H. T. Plant
Rider A. Mulley 9.2 (58)
14 Ran – Barrier 6 – SP 3/1F
2nd Good Idea 8.6 (53.5)
3rd Victory Lad 8.9 (55)
5 len x 3 len. Time 1:37 ¼
WON 29 Dec
1945 Randwick
AJC Carrington Stakes 6f 13yds
Trainer H. T. Plant
Rider A. Mulley 9.6 (60)
11 Ran – Barrier 4 – SP 6/4F
2nd Civic Pride 8.4 (52.5)
3rd Felbeam 8.3 (52)
1 ¼ len x 1 ½ len. Time 1:10 ¼
WON 28 Jan 1946 Randwick
Australia Day Hcp 7f 19yds
Trainer H. T. Plant
Rider A. Mulley 9.5 (59.5)
9 Ran – Barrier 4 – SP 4/6F
2nd War Eagle 7.5 (46.5)
3rd Craftsman 7.2 (45.5)
2 ½ len x ½ nk. Time 1:24 ¾
WON 23 Feb
1946 Caulfield
VATC Futurity Stakes WFA 7f
Trainer H. T. Plant
Rider A. Mulley 10.2 (64.5)
13 Ran – Barrier 8 – SP EvensF
2nd Versailles 9.1 (57.5)
3rd St. Fairy 10.1 (64)
5 len x 3 len. Time 1:24 ¼
WON 2 Mar 1946
Flemington
VRC Newmarket Hcp 6f
Trainer H. T. Plant
Rider A. Mulley 9.13 (63)
28 Ran – Barrier 6 – SP 4/9F
2nd Four Freedoms 7.13 (50.5)
3rd Reperio 7.11 (49.5)
½ hd x 1 len. Time 1:12 ¾
WON 6 April
1946 Rosehill
STC Rawson Stakes WFA 9f
Trainer H. T. Plant
Rider A. Mulley 9.2 (58)
6 Ran – Barrier 3 – SP 1/3F
2nd Craigie 9.2 (58)
3rd Accession 9.0 (57)
2 len x 1 len. Time 1:52
WON 13 April
1946 Randwick
AJC Chipping Norton Stakes WFA 10f
Trainer H. T. Plant
Rider A. Mulley 9.2 (58)
6 Ran – Barrier 4 – SP 2/7F
2nd Flight 9.0 (57)
3rd Russia 9.2 (58)
Lng hd x 10 len. Time 2:02 ¼
WON 22 April 1946
Randwick
AJC All Aged Stakes WFA 1 mile
Trainer H. T. Plant
Rider A. Mulley 9.1 (57.5)
4 Ran – Barrier 3 – SP 1/6F
2nd Modulation 9.1 (57.5)
3rd (DH) Accession 9.0 (57)
3rd (DH) Don Pedro 8.8 (54.5)
3 len x 2 ½ len. Time 1:40
WON 1 June 1946 Doomben
Doomben “Ten Thousand”
T. M. Ahern Memorial Hcp. 7f less 93yds
Trainer H. T. Plant
Rider A. Mulley 10.5 (66)
27 Ran – Barrier 13 – SP 7/2F
2nd Cragsman 9.0 (57)
3rd Puffham 7.13 (50.5)
2 len x ½ len. Time 1:18 ¾
(race & course record)
WON 8 June 1946 Doomben
Doomben Cup 11f less 22yds
Trainer H. T. Plant
Rider A. Mulley 10.11 (68.5)
10 Ran – Barrier 2 – SP 4/7F
2nd Tea Cake 8.1 (51)
3rd Craigie 9.3 (58.5)
1 len x 1 len. Time 2:14 ¾
7YO
WON 31 Aug
1946 Randwick
AJC Warwick Stakes WFA 7f
Trainer H. T. Plant
Rider A. Mulley 9.3 (58.5)
6 Ran – Barrier 3 – SP 1/4F
2nd Magnificent 9.0 (57)
3rd Abbeville 9.0 (57)
Nk x 4 len. Time 1:26 ¼
WON 14 Sept 1946 Randwick
AJC Chelmsford Stakes WFA 9f
Trainer H. T. Plant
Rider A. Mulley 9.11 (62)
6 Ran – Barrier 3 – SP 1/6F
2nd Two Grand 7.9 (48.5)
3rd Prince Consort 7.3 (46)
5 len x 1 len. Time 1:54 ¾
 |
| Bernborough returns to scale after the Chelmsford |
WON 21 Sept 1946 Rosehill
STC Hill Stakes WFA 8 ½ f
Trainer H. T. Plant
Rider A. Mulley 9.11 (62)
4 Ran – Barrier 2 – SP 1/5F
2nd Flight 8.13 (56.5)
3rd Prince Consort 7.4 (46)
1 ½ len x 5 len. Time 1:45 ¼
WON 5 Oct 1946
Flemington
VRC Melbourne Stakes WFA 1 mile
Trainer H. T. Plant
Rider A. Mulley 9.8 (61)
13 Ran – Barrier 2 – SP 1/6F
2nd Attley 9.5 (59.5)
3rd Columnist 9.0 (57)
1 ¼ len x 5 len. Time 1:37 ½
WON 12 Oct 1946 Caulfield
VATC Caulfield Stakes WFA 9f
Trainer H. T. Plant
Rider A. Mulley 9.4 (59)
9 Ran – Barrier 5 – SP 1/8F
2nd Columnist 8.0 (51)
3rd First In 8.13 (56.5)
2 len x 1 ¼ len. Time 1:50
(course record)
5th 19 Oct 1946 Caulfield
VATC Caulfield Cup 1 ½ miles
Trainer H. T. Plant
Rider A. Mulley 10.10 (68)
27 Ran – Barrier 6 – SP 7/4F
1st Royal Gem 9.0 (57)
2nd Columnist 7.13 (50.5)
3rd Two Grand 7.6 (47)
Nk x ¾ len. Time 2:30 ¼
P/Up 2 Nov
1946 Flemington
VRC L K S Mackinnon Stakes WFA 10f
Trainer H. T. Plant
Rider A. Mulley 9.3 (58.5)
5 Ran – Barrier 2 – SP 1/4
1st Flight 8.12 (56)
2nd Tea Cake 9.0 (57)
3rd Spam 8.11 (56)
6 len x 1 ¼ len. Time 2:04 ¼
 |
| Bill Briscoe and Bernborough about to take to the track for the 1946 L K S Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington |
In an instant, Briscoe went from seeing an easy win coming
up at his first ride on the champion, to just keeping Bernborough on his feet,
while trying to ease him up to prevent any further damage to his badly injured leg.
There’s little doubt that Briscoe’s skill in quickly halting Bernborough’s
momentum and easing him to a standstill had saved the champion’s life.
Fortunately, Bernborough recovered from his injury but
his racing days were well and truly over.
In late December 1946 Bernborough was sold to American
movie mogul Louis B. Mayer for a reported £93,000 to stand at Spendthrift Farm Stud
in Kentucky.
Bernborough was a huge success at stud in America siring
many GR1 winners, thus, his progeny were eagerly sought after.
Bernborough died at Spendthrift Farm, Kentucky on January 16 1960.
"The Lady In Black"
No story about
Bernborough can be ever complete
without mentioning “The Lady In Black”
Johanna Taks. Taks, a European
immigrant, became part of Australian racing folklore simply because she wanted
to return to her native Estonia for an extended holiday. It was her plan on how
to fund her holiday that would see her forever associated with Bernborough.
In late 1945, Johanna Taks sought out George Mulley at Canterbury racecourse
in the hope of getting a winning tip to help build up a “kitty” to fund her
return to Estonia.
As Mulley entered the course that day, Taks was waiting
for him. “What will win today?” she called out to him, Mulley, not usually one
for giving out tips gave Taks the name of one of his mounts that day and told
her to have a small investment on it.
Taks thanked Mulley for his tip and told him that she’d
“look after him” if it won.
George Mulley’s phone rang on the Friday night before the
Villiers, it was Johanna Taks, she wanted three things, firstly to thank Mulley
for the winning tip, secondly to arrange a meeting so she could pay him a
commission for his information and thirdly to enquire if he had a winner for
the Randwick meeting the following day.
Mulley tipped Taks a horse that he was having his first
ride on in the Villiers, the horse was a controversial Queensland galloper who
was a certainty beaten at his previous start when ridden by “Digger” McGrowdie,
his name, was Bernborough.
Bernborough
strolled home in the Villiers by five lengths sending sporting journalists into
raptures on the ability of the Queensland sensation. Johanna Taks too, was
suitably impressed, she had found her ticket home and from now on would punt on
only one horse, the big, bay, long striding Queenslander.
As Bernborough
began reeling off the wins one by one, so Johanna Taks followed him from
racecourse to racecourse, state by state, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, all
the while building up her bankroll and betting it all-up on Bernborough every time he raced.
Taks’ faith in Bernborough
turned her into a fearless punter, she never for one moment considered that Bernborough might be beaten and the
more he won the more her faith seemed justified. Taks became known as “The Lady In Black” as she was always
smartly dressed in black and carried a black handbag. As Bernborough continued to notch up the wins, Taks’ wagers and
winnings increased from hundreds of pounds to thousands of pounds.
Bernborough’s
prohibitive odds meant that Taks had to wager in the thousands to get a relatively
small payout on her investment. She became a familiar sight in the
betting-rings handing over huge wads of cash to the bookies before the race,
and then stuffing even bigger wads back into her handbag after the race.
On Caulfield Cup
day 1946, Bernborough was shooting
for sixteen straight wins and Johanna Taks was there to back her champion, just
as she had done on the fifteen previous occasions. Carrying the burden of 10.10
in a field of 27 meant that Bernborough started
in the black at 7/4, one of the very few times he wasn’t a long odds-on
favourite. Taks saw no issues in Bernborough’s
task, a mile and a half carrying 10.10 against 26 rivals – no problem, in Taks’
eyes Bernborough could never be
beaten.
Taks’ put her entire bank of almost £9,000 on Bernborough that day, no doubt thinking
that a profit of around £15,000 pounds was a mere formality. Unfortunately for Johanna
Taks, she lost the lot.
It’s hard to know what was going through Johanna Taks’ mind
when she left Caulfield racecourse that afternoon, no doubt she was still in
disbelief that her all-conquering champion had been beaten.
Taks was an unintentional celebrity, she didn’t seek publicity but could not avoid it as her punting assaults on bookmakers in the
betting rings around the country were a very public affair.
Johanna Taks
disappeared from the public spotlight as quickly as she had appeared, she was
never seen on an Australian racecourse again.
I’m sure that when Johanna Taks devised her plan to fund an
overseas holiday, she could never have imagined the fame and misfortune that would be waiting for her at the end.
The Colours Of Bernborough
We are all
familiar with the orange, purple and black colours that Bernborough carried throughout his 1945/46 rampaging assault on
Australian racing, but what of his career before that?
Little is known of Bernborough’s
colours during his years of confinement to Clifford Park racecourse at
Toowoomba, because little was recorded.
In addition to his famous orange, purple and black
livery, Bernborough also raced in
four different sets of colours during his years of exile at Clifford Park
racecourse.
These are the five sets of colours that Bernborough carried from his first
appearance on a racetrack at Toowoomba in January 1942, right through to his
tragic breakdown at Flemington in November 1945.
Albert Hadwen
June 1940 – 23 Feb 1942
Black and gold stripes, purple sleeves,
black cap
Bernborough’s original owner was Albert Hadwen
and
Bernborough kicked off his career carrying Hadwen’s
colours at his first two
racetrack appearances at Toowoomba.
J. (Frank) Roberts
23 Feb 1942 – 23 July 1943
Red, blue hooped sleeves, blue cap
Because of the ban imposed by the QTC on
Bernborough and
Albert Hadwen, Hadwen leased
Bernborough to Frank Roberts for a period of
eighteen months.
Albert Hadwen
23 July 1943 – 5 Oct 1945
Gold, grey sleeves, gold cap
When Frank Roberts’s lease on Bernborough expired,
Albert
Hadwen took back control of Bernborough
and sent him to the stables of Bob
Fawcett to be trained.
Although now back in the ownership of Albert Hadwen,
Bernborough
carried the gold and grey colours of his trainer,
Bob Fawcett at his next two
racetrack appearances.
Albert Hadwen (cont.)
Green, black sleeves, black cap
At Bernborough’s third start back for Albert Hadwen,
he
carried Hadwen’s new green and black livery.
Bernborough’s colours would not
change again until
his sale at auction in October 1945, where he was
purchased by
Azzalin Romano.
Azzalin Romano
5 Oct 1945 – 22 Dec 1946
Orange, purple
sleeves, black cap
These were Bernborough’s last set of racing
colours, and
the ones that we are all so familiar with.
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