Briseis (Australian horse)

Briseis
Sire	Tim Whiffler (GB)
Grandsire	Van Galen
Dam	Musidora
Damsire	The Premier (GB)
Sex	Filly
Foaled	1873
Country	Australia
Colour	Brown
Breeder	James Wilson
Owner	James Wilson
Trainer	James Wilson
Record	18: 6 wins & other places
Major wins
1876 AJC All Aged Stakes 1876 AJC Doncaster Handicap 1876 VRC Melbourne Cup 1876 VRC Oaks 1876 VRC Victoria Derby
Honours
Briseis Gold Cup at Geelong
Last updated on 25 May 2011

Briseis foaled in 1873, was a brown Australian Thoroughbred filly that is regarded as one of the greatest mares ever foaled in Australia. As a two-year-old she won the AJC Doncaster Handicap and the weight for age (w.f.a.) AJC All Aged Stakes. Then as a three-year-old she won the VRC Victoria Derby (by 3 lengths, in record time), the Melbourne Cup (by 2 lengths) and the VRC Oaks, all within six days.

Breeding

She was a brown filly sired by Tim Whiffler (GB) out of Musidora by The Premier (GB). Tim Whiffler (GB) won the Doncaster Cup and Goodwood Cups prior to his importation into Australia. In Australia he sired 9 stakes-winners that recorded 16 stakes-wins, with Briseis being the best of his progeny by far. Musidora won the VRC Sires Produce Stakes, the VRC Queens Plate and other races. She was the dam of six winners including, Miss Jessie, 1868 (won the VRC Victoria Derby) and Sea Spray, 1870 (won VRC St Leger Stakes and South Australian St Leger Stakes). Briseis belonged to an old Colonial Family, C5, that was not accepted into the General Stud Book, but it is included in the Australian Stud Book.^[1]

Briseis was bred, owned and trained by James Wilson at his St Albans stud near Geelong in Victoria.^[2]

Racing career

At the age of two years

As a two-year-old Briseis had three minor placings from five starts. She was allotted 5 stone 7 lbs. (35 kg) and started 4/1 equal favourite in the AJC Doncaster Handicap at Randwick. Owing to the light weight she was allotted she was ridden to victory in the race by the 12-year-old, Peter St. Albans. At her next two starts she won a flying handicap and the w.f.a. AJC All Aged Stakes.^[3]

At the age of three years

As a three-year-old at the VRC spring carnival of 1876 Briseis raced on all four days. She won the VRC Derby on the Saturday, (by three lengths and taking 1¾ seconds off the race record); the Melbourne Cup (again ridden by Peter St Albans, who was still 12 years old, to win by two lengths in record time from a record 33 starters), on the Tuesday; and the VRC Oaks on the Thursday creating a record that is never likely to be equalled. Briseis then finished second to Pride of the Hills in the VRC Mares' Produce Stakes on the Saturday.^[4] Her major wins were an AJC Doncaster H; AJC All Aged Stakes; VRC Derby; Melbourne Cup; and VRC Oaks all as a two and three year old.^[5]

She then raced four times in the autumn of 1877 before being sent to stud in 1879. Briseis was to be served by King of the Ring, and while hobbled she reared up and fell over backwards, fracturing her skull. Her death was a severe loss to the Australian bloodstock industry. While not widely recalled, Briseis' feats rank alongside any of the oft-heralded greats of the Australian turf.^[6]

Honours

The Briseis Tin Mine which was named after her became one of the richest mines in the southern hemisphere during the late 1890s.^[7] There is a race carrying her name at the Melbourne Cup carnival each year. The Briseis Gold Cup at Geelong is also named in her honour. The Geelong Racing Club has named the state of art Briseis Function Centre after her.^[8]

References