The New South Wales town of Forbes lies on the banks of the Lachlan River in the Central West region of the state. The area was first inhabited by the Wiradjuri nation prior to the Yorkshire explorer John Oxley visiting the area in 1817, although it was a further 17 years before Europeans settled in the area in 1834. It is located about 240 miles west of state capital Sydney and serves its population of about 7700 people with an excellently run racecourse, with meetings administered by the Forbes Jockey Club. Traditionally meetings were held twice a year, in October and May when the highlight of the racing year, the Forbes Cup over 1600 metres, is staged, although of late that event has taken place on the first Monday in August.
The earliest record of racing in the town was a two day meeting On Thursday 4th and Friday 5th April 1872. The meeting opened in dramatic style when the Forbes Maiden Plate saw a dead-heat between Kelso and Grisette, while in the run-off Kelso was awarded the race when Grisette was disqualified. In the feature race of the day, the Town Plate, Lieutenant strolled to victory over Chance.
Friday 5th April 1872
Forbes Handicap
1. Lieutenant
2. Jorrocks
Forbes Biennial Stakes
1. Planet
2. Charles O’Malley
In less than a decade the races were held on New Year’s Day and were real family affairs. On Thursday 1st January 1880 a fair crowd, although smaller than normal, made their way to the racecourse on New Year’s Day to enjoy a 6 race card and the harmonious sound of the Forbes Brass Band. The Card opened with the Maiden Plate (10 sovereigns) which was won by Good News for Mr D Reid. The Hack Race (10 sovereigns) followed and went to Sam Weller owned by Mr Forrest, while the Selling Hurdle (10 sovereigns) over 2 miles was won by Chance owned by Mr Hughes. The Hurry Skurry (4 sovereigns) went to Myra owned by Mr J R Strickland, while the Forced Handicap went to Lady Barb for Mr Richardson. However, the undoubted highlight of the day was the New Year’s Day Handicap (30 sovereigns) which was captured by Mr Chaplin’s The Rake, beating 12 others. After the races settling was done at Mr Loso’s Bristol Arms Hotel when a good amount of fizz was used to toast everybody’s good health.
The New Year’s Day meeting became a tradition in the town and the principal results from the meeting held in 1886 are shown below:-
Friday 1st January 1886
Forbes Maiden Plate
1. Lady Avenal owned by Mr Rawsthorne
2. Robert The Dart owned by Mr Thomson
3. Bushman owned by Mr Smith
7 ran
Forbes Summer Handicap
1. Mariner owned by Mr C McLean
2. Biddy owned by Mr Orme
3. Fairlight owned by Mr A Battye
7 ran
By the turn of the century, as well as the Jockey Club races, the Forbes Amateur Turf Club organised meetings. One memorable meeting was held in honour of the Queen’s Birthday on Thursday 24th May 1900 when the Ladies’ Bracelet was won by Portland, beating Silver Robert and Amaroo, while the ARC Handicap went to Lucknow in favour of Robin Hood and Bareena.
The photo above, showing the 1924 Forbes Picnic Cup winner British Hill, owned by the Stitt Brothers who were allowed to keep the trophy as a consequence of their numerous successes in the race, is shown courtesy of The Sun from its edition on Friday 9th May 1924.
Recent Forbes Cup winners
(A full list of winners is available on request)
2009 Forbes Cup ($13,000) over 1600 metres was won by Perfect Rule (16/1) trained by Mark Jones and ridden by J Galea, beating Shines and Brisk Bob 11 ran
2011 Forbes Cup ($13,000) over 1600 metres was won by Granite Bluff (12/1) trained by Richard Clarke and ridden by Shaun Guymer, beating Celtic Soul and Making Gold 12 ran
2012 Forbes Cup ($14,410) over 1600 metres was won by Dane’s Jewel trained by Peter Stanley and ridden by Michael Travers, beating Our Billy Blue and Granite Bluff 12 ran
2013 Forbes Cup ($14,410) over 1600 metres was won by Mossamine (5/1) trained by Graeme Rogerson and ridden by Anthony Cavallo, beating Testascana and Private Taber 11 ran
2014 Forbes Cup ($14,410) over 1600 metres was won by Sonro (5/1) trained by Gino D’Altorio and ridden by Michael Heagney, beating Daryl and Leaders Road 11 ran
2015 Forbes Cup ($14,410) over 1600 metres was won by Tea Clipper (10/1) trained by Kerry Weir and ridden by Megan Taylor, beating Sooner Or Later and Steakandbernaise 10 ran
2016 Forbes Cup ($17,155) over 1600 metres was won by Zarlu (11/1) trained by Peter Morgan and ridden by Andrew Banks, beating Leucura and Dark Mojo 10 ran
2017 Forbes Cup ($16,800) over 1600 metres was won by Gentleman Max (9/2) trained by Trevor Sutherland and ridden by Allan Chau, beating Zarlu and Something Borrowed 11 ran
