Turf tales from the heyday

WHEN award-winning Tasmanian harness racing historian Peter Cooley set about researching the number of race tracks that used to exist in the state, he discovered some fascinating details about the thoroughbred code.

He became infatuated by its history, leading him to produce a book that sheds more light on little-known parts of the code in Tasmania than any document before it.

The 141-page book entitled Tales of the Turf — Tasmanian Horse Racing in the 19th Century — reveals just how massive an influence racing had on the fabric of life in the state.

“This book was definitely a labour of love,” Cooley said.

“I’ve collected information over many years while exploring the history of harness racing in Tasmania but when a great friend of mine, the late David Lonergan, told me he was thinking about writing a book on thoroughbreds I told him I would help him.

“I offered information I had gleaned from my harness research but unfortunately David passed away before he got around to doing it so I have dedicated this book to him.”

Lonergan was a racing writer with the Mercury for 25 years and given his depth of knowledge on the subject he was considered a walking encyclopaedia on thoroughbred racing and breeding. Having worked with “Lonners” it is clear to this writer that what Cooley has delivered in Tales of the Turf would have pleased the great man.

Cooley’s book reveals the amazing connection Tasmania has to the Melbourne Cup.

“Many Melbourne Cup winners and minor placegetters during the 19th century were either bred in Tasmania or bred by sires that began their careers in Tasmania,” he said.

One of the more interesting revelations is the number of racetracks that existed during this time, many of which lasted well into the 20th century.

“The deeper I delved into racetracks the more I found.

“I came up with 98 in all and while some were utilised only once a year there were still over 70 that operated multiple meetings annually and I was amazed by how many were located on beaches.”

Tales of the Turf reveals information on each track uncovered by Cooley, where it was located and what type of races were held at the venues.

Cooley discovered that in the early days the Arabian breed played a dominant role in racing. Thoroughbreds were raced against Arabs and other breeds but eventually the Arabian breed was phased out.

Cooley discovered many interesting stories behind the introduction of the Arabian breed to the state.

“There was one Arab horse that was speared in the leg during a tiger hunt in India so they sent it to Tasmania for breeding purposes,” he said.

With such a wealth of knowledge on harness racing Cooley couldn’t resist the temptation to include a chapter on the standardbred, but the 10 pages are worthy of their place in the book.

“The earliest trotting race I found was in 1832 at Richmond and while it was called a match race there were at least three horses involved.”

Tales of the Turf also boasts a race result appendix that details the winners of every feature thoroughbred race in Tasmania in the 19th century.

Tales of the Turf, $35, is available at Tasracing’s head office at Elwick or from Cooley (6224 1498 or 0427 116 098).