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The First Interdominion Horse-Race

By Mollie Dickinson

Nelson featured strongly in early New Zealand racing news. Soon after his arrival in Nelson in December, 1842, Henry Redwood Jr. established his breeding stud in the Waimeas. By the 1850s he was known as the 'Father of the New Zealand Turf'. He and his horses were well-known on both sides of the Tasman.

On March 4, 1863, Dunedin staged what was in effect the first Interdominion horse-race. It was a one-off event, as even now there is no transtasman race for gallopers. Trotters compete in an interdominion race each year but not gallopers. They have the Melbourne Cup which is virtually one, and New Zealand horses play a major role in this, the greatest race, south of the line.

In 1863 two Victorian horses came over to take on New Zealand's best. They were Mormon, which had run second in the first Melbourne Cup in 1861, and Shilelagh. With them came a host of supporters and Mormon swiftly become favourite at odds on.

Dunedin pulled out all the stops, making it Carnival Week. But, as the Colonist reports, perhaps with disapproval, 'differing from other carnivals, in that it takes place in Lent'. The City was crammed with visitors, many from Melbourne and Sydney. Trade was brisk, dressing elegant, and champagne flowed. Two shows were running: 'Lady Audley's Secret', and 'The Taming of the Shrew'. A gold whip was to be presented to the winner of the Championship Race, a practice now carried out after every Melbourne Cup.

The day dawned overcast and threatening but luckily, 'the weather during the races was all that could be desired.' The first race was at 9 a.m., and from dawn, 'the road was lined with passengers on foot on horseback, and in every possible variety of cart, wagon, coach and carriage. Noticeable among the many was one of Messrs Cole, Hoyt and Co's coaches with a splendid team of six horses. Narrow as the road is, there were only a few trifling accidents … and no serious ones on the way out or home'. The race was evidently at Wingatui, as now. The road there is still winding and hilly, but no longer narrow.

The 'Examiner' in racing notes of 8 November, 1862 gave the field: 'There are seven horses nominated: Revoke from Canterbury, Mormon and Shilelagh from Victoria; Lady and Waimia, both owned by Henry Redwood of Nelson; Ultimate owned by Hugh Stafford of Nelson, and Antonelli from Tasman'. It says much for Redwood's high reputation that four of the seven were Nelson owned. The Sporting Editor of the Otago Witness reported the race as follows: March 5, 1863: 'Champion Race of 100 sovereigns; with a sweepstake of 100 sovereigns each added … 3 miles. Weight for Age (and sex)'. The older horses carried over 10 stone, Shilelagh, the oldest carrying 10 stone, 11lbs. Horses were horses in those days! 'Antonelli and Waimia were scratched, so five faced the starter. After a little delay, caused by the fractiousness of the contending heroes, Mormon got away with the lead … After half a mile, Ladybird took third place till past the stand, then improved to second till the final lap when she made her effort, passing Mormon, notwithstanding a game effort on his part, and won easily by 2 lengths after a slashing race'.

On the third day, Mormon won the Town Plate, defeating both Ultimate and Ladybird, the latter carrying extra weight, having been rehandicapped. Sadly, Ultimate had a bad accident, breaking the small bones in her hind pastern. She was not destroyed, but saved for stud, and Mormon did not return to Melbourne empty handed.

So Henry Redwood and Ladybird made their mark. Aristocrats both, Henry being already the uncrowned King of the New Zealand Turf. And Ladybird? In March, page 311842, H. A. Thompson, Nelson's first Magistrate, arrived accompanied by a thoroughbred mare, in foal to an English stallion, Emilius. They had had a stormy passage near French Pass, and several bullocks had rolled on the mare. Thompson, never a patient man (witness his actions at Tuamarina) was livid with rage, but fortunately his darling, Emilia was unharmed. She thrived in Nelson, and foaled Il Barbiere, who sired many famous horses, including Ladybird. So, Ladybird's grand-dam came out in one of the first ships, making her a true aristocrat of the turf.

On March 4, 1863, piloted by Henry Redwood's son Joe, Ladybird won the First Interdominion Horse Race, and put Nelson firmly in the record books of early New Zealand racing history.