Australian Trainer Considers Carbine Greatest Of Horses

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 40, 19 September 1949, Page 6

Australian Trainer Considers Carbine Greatest Of Horses

Carbine, New Zealand-bred winner of the 1890 Melbonrne Cup, was the greatest horse of all time. This is the opinion of noted trainer Fred Davis (now retired), who rode some of New Zealand’s greatest turf celebrities.

Fifty-nine years ago Davis saw Carbine carry 10.5 and beat a crack Melbourne Cup field at Flemington. Nothing he has since seen in Australia or New Zealand has altered his view that Old Jack was the greatest ever. Unless it be Phar Lap, no other horse has held quite the same place in public affection as Carbine, says Davis. Carbine carried a record weight in 1890, ran record time, beat a re-cord-sized field, and collected a re - cord prize (£10,230).

No horse in the annals of Turf history has had such a tremendous influence on racing in Empire countries as Carbine. For more than 40 years his blood has been sought by studmasters throughout the world. In Australia, Carbine sired a Derby winner in each of his first three seasons. In England he won undying fame as sire of Spearmint)* winner of the English Derby and the famous French Grand Prix. Born At Auckland Carbine was born at the oncefamous Sylvia Park Stud, on the outskirts of Auckland. He began his Turf career at Riccarton in 1887 and was unbeaten in his five races in this country. All distances were alike to Carbine. The season Carbine won his Melbourne Cup he ran in 11 races for 10 wins. His only defeat was at the hands of Marvel, who downed him at a mile in the All-Aged.Stakes at Randwick. During his four seasons on the Turf Carbine contestde 43 races, won 33 of them, was second in six, and third in three. He won £29,617, but, of course, stakes in Carbine’s day were nothing like those offered now.