October
MarchMemories of Lord
I guess it was an interesting statistical article on the great racehorse Lord by Richo (8/3) — that is if you are interested in statistics.
I would have seen all Lord’s races and his record is well known except for the one little logistical slip as pointed out by Richo.
As for the horse himself, I remember him as if it were yesterday. Perhaps it’s unfair to say it about this dark bay gelding but his massive size did perhaps give him a slightly plain appearance, although he was nicely balanced and well put together and he had exceptional presence and character.
To some extent he didn’t look like a gelding. He was always very alert in the mounting yard without being flighty and he strode around as if to say, "Come on, let’s get out there and get the job done." He knew what he was there for.
He was always turned out beautifully by his great trainer Ken Hilton, a big man who walked around with a quiet dignity, in contrast to his neighbour and equally great trainer Basil Conaghan, who always looked as if he had just emerged from some kind of barroom brawl, or was about to enter into one.
Lord’s owner, the industrialist W.R. Kemball, was also a big man and he always sat alone in the grandstand.
Invariably Lord jumped first in his races. Quite often he would run his first four (805m) in 49 and be allowed to be six lengths in front, thus being gifted the race. Everyone was in awe of him — including, it seems, opposing jockeys and the stewards. The only one to point out this anomaly was outstanding journo Rollo Roylance but nobody took any notice of him. Everybody was just there to see Lord.
He had a huge stride and one of those beautiful, easy actions, looking as if he was only going half pace. But he was one paced and could never quicken under pressure. Tremendously strong and courageous, he just kept on going and ran them into the ground.
He was revered by everyone in the big crowds who went to see him. It was always exciting as the massive horse came down the side, especially at Caulfield, with the unobtrusive genius Bill Williamson in the saddle, tucked away under the mane somewhere. He would be reaching out boldly and eagerly. He was always four to six lengths in front at this stage, putting every ounce of energy his big frame could muster on the line.
There would be a kind of murmuring rumble from the crowd in anticipation, which turned into a tremendous, full-throated roar when he straightened, to see if the big horse could hold them out.
It would be a shame what say a Black Caviar lurking behind him would do to him today, or any of the top current horses, but for his time this magnificent thoroughbred was an outstanding example of, and an absolute credit to, the breed.
Pehaps it would be a good idea that every Memsie Stakes day, as a tribute to Mr W.R. Kemball, Ken Hilton and the big gelding by Targui from Broadway by Actor, patrons should be asked to wear predominantly white with some red and blue.
Euroa (Vic)