The Barb (1863–1888) was an

Australian Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal Au ...

bred

Thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are c ...

racehorse Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic pr ...

, famed for winning the 1866 Melbourne Cup, the

Sydney Cup The Sydney Cup is an Australian Turf Club Group 1 Thoroughbred handicap horse race, for horses three years old and older, run over 3200 metres at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia in the autumn during the ATC Championships series and it is ...

twice, and other quality races. He was bred by George Lee and foaled in 1863 at Leeholme, near

Bathurst, New South Wales Bathurst () is a city in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. Bathurst is about 200 kilometres (120 mi) west-northwest of Sydney and is the seat of the Bathurst Regional Council. Bathurst is the oldest inland settlement in ...

Pedigree

The Barb was by Sir Hercules, his dam Fair Ellen (also known as Young Gulnare) was by Doctor (GB). He was a brother to Barbarian (sire of the Melbourne Cup winner, Zulu) and Barbelle (AJC

Doncaster Handicap The Doncaster Mile, registered as the Doncaster Handicap is an Australian Turf Club Group One Thoroughbred handicap race for horses three years old and older, held over 1,600 metres at Royal Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia. Although the ra ...

, VRC Flying Stakes hree timesand Sydney Cup). Sir Hercules (by Cap-a-Pie, a son of the St Leger winner The Colonel) was one of the best colonial sires, having sired 18 stakeswinners for 45 stakeswins including, Yattendon, Cossack and Zoe.Binney, Keith R., ''Horsemen of the First Frontier (1788-1900) and the Serpents Legacy'', Volcanic Productions, Sydney, 2005, The Barb was sold for 200 guineas as a yearling.

Racing record

He was owned and trained by "Honest John" Tait, who owned and trained three other Melbourne Cup winners: Glencoe, The Pearl and The Quack. 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 sixth

AJC Derby AJC may refer to: * Agreement on Journey Continuation, an agreement between European rail operators to allow passengers in case of a missed connection * Allen Jack+Cottier (AJ+C), an architectural practice * American Jewish Committee, an advocacy ...

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

in 1868 and 1869 (under the huge weight of ). As a five-year-old The Barb was undefeated in seven starts. In all The Barb won 15 of his 23 starts. The Barb is also listed in the Millers Guide as running 2nd in The Shorts at Randwick in 1875.

Stud record

After The Barb was retired from racing, owner John Tait sold him to Charles Reynolds who sent him to stand at Tocal Stud in the

Hunter Region The Hunter Region, also commonly known as the Hunter Valley, is a region of New South Wales, Australia, extending from approximately to north of Sydney. It contains the Hunter River and its tributaries with highland areas to the north and so ...

. As a sire, The Barb was unable to produce offspring to equal his own ability. His best horses were: * The Barber, QTC Moreton Handicap * Strathearn, QTC

Brisbane Cup The Brisbane Cup is a Brisbane Racing Club Group 2 The term Group 2 may refer to: * Alkaline earth metal, a chemical element classification * Astronaut Group 2, also known as The New Nine, the second group of astronauts selected by NASA in 1962 ...

* Tocal, VRC Royal Park Stakes, AJC

All Aged Stakes The All Aged Stakes is an Australian Turf Club Group 1 Thoroughbred Weight for Age horse race, run over a distance of 1,400 metres at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia in April or May during the ATC Autumn Carnival. Prize money is A$600,0 ...

ASB: The Barb
Retrieved 2009-11-6 The Barb was a good sire of broodmares and a granddaughter was the dam of

Wallace Wallace may refer to: People * Clan Wallace in Scotland * Wallace (given name) * Wallace (surname) * Wallace (footballer, born 1986), full name Wallace Fernando Pereira, Brazilian football left-back * Wallace (footballer, born 1987), full name ...

, Carbine's best racehorse son in Australia. He died at the age of twenty-five in 1888 at Bowler's stud, Mitta Mitta. Following its formation, The Barb was inducted in the

Australian Racing Hall of Fame The Australian Racing Hall of Fame is part of the Australian Racing Museum which documents and honours the horseracing legends of Australia. The museum officially opened in 1981 and created the Hall of Fame in 2000. The numbers in brackets afte ...

in 2004.

References

The Australian Racing Museum and Hall of Fame - The Barb

Sydney Cup winners

External links

The Barb's pedigree and partial racing stats
{{DEFAULTSORT:Barb 1863 racehorse births 1888 racehorse deaths Racehorses bred in Australia Racehorses trained in Australia Australian Racing Hall of Fame horses Melbourne Cup winners Thoroughbred family C3