Don Juan (horse)

Don Juan (foaled 1869) was an Australian bred thoroughbred racehorse who is most notable for winning the 1873 Melbourne Cup.

Don Juan
SireLucifer
GrandsireGemma di Vergy
DamLevity
DamsireKingston
SexStallion
Foaled1869
Died1874
CountryAustralia
ColourBay
BreederJohn Baker
OwnerJoe Thompson
TrainerJames Wilson
JockeyWilliam Wilson
Record7: 6–0–0
Major wins
Melbourne Cup (1873)
Royal Park Stakes (1873)
Flemington Plate (1873)

Background

Don Juan was bred by South Australian politician and pastoralist John Baker. Baker then sold the horse to his eventual trainer James Wilson for £50. [1] The ownership of Don Juan caused much controversy, with the listed owner being Mr W. Johnstone. It was revealed however that Johnstone simply allowed his name to be used, and the horse was actually owned by leviathan bookmaker Joe Thompson.[2]

Racing career

On 23 May 1872, Don Juan made his racing debut as a two-year-old at Morphettville. He finished unplaced over the distance of 12 furlongs (2,400m).

Don Juan did not race as a three-year-old but was still nominated for the 1873 Melbourne Cup as a maiden. This allowed the horse to be allotted a low weight of 6st 12lb (43.5kg).[3]

As a four-year-old on the 2 August 1873, Don Juan won his first race over 8 furlongs (1,600m) at Caulfield.

On 2 November 1873 he was successful over 16 furlongs (3,200m) in the VRC Essendon Stakes at Flemington.

On 7 November 1873, Don Juan started the 3/1 favourite in the Melbourne Cup and won by 3.5 lengths in a then record time for the race of 3:36.00.[4] Days after the race protesters had made allegations against Don Juan and his win in the Melbourne Cup. The complaint was that Don Juan had been nominated and entered into the Melbourne Cup as a four year old, however was apparently over the age of four. The Victoria Racing Club found the allegations to be untrue.[5]

A day after winning the Melbourne Cup, Don Juan was successful in the Royal Park Stakes at Flemington. The next day he won the Flemington Plate over a distance of 24 furlongs (4,800m). Don Juan raced once more on the 1 January 1874 when successful in the VRC Canterbury Plate over 20 furlongs (4,000m).

In February 1874, Don Juan was on a training gallop at St Albans Park, Victoria when he suffered soreness and blood was noticed in his nostrils. He was returned to his stall and reportedly died suddenly. An autopsy revealed internal bleeding and the cause of death was due to an inch long rent found in his heart.[6]

Pedigree
Pedigree of Don Juan (AUS) 1869
Sire
Lucifer (IRE)
1860		 Gemma di Vergy (GB)
1854		 Sir Hercules Whalebone
Peri
Snowdrop Heron
Fairy
Peri (IRE)
1848		 Birdcatcher Sir Hercules
Guiccioli
Perdita Langar
Delenda
Dam
Levity (GB)
1860		 Kingston (GB)
1848		 Venison Partisan
Fawn
Queen Anne Slane
Garcia
Frolic (GB)
1848		 Touchstone Camel
Banter
The Saddler Mare The Saddler
Stays

References
  1. "Don Juan's Melbourne Cup". trove.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  2. "Australian Dictionary of biography Joseph (Joe) Thompson". adb.anu.edu.au. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  3. "Race records of champion racehorses". racehorsetalk.com.au. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  4. "Millers Guide Melbourne Cup 1873". beteasy.com.au. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  5. "Melbourne Cup History". races.com.au. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  6. "Death of the racehorse Don Juan". trove.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
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