I looked on Trove to see when Koo Wee Rup had its first press mention. The earliest report was July 1, 1856 (1) however in October 1868 I found the first mention of a racehorse called Koo-wee-rup, so I thought I would tell you about the horse. The horse’s name was usually spelt as Koo-wee-rup, so that’s the way we will spell it.
The horse was owned by Dr L.O Patterson. I believe this was Leslie Ogilby Patterson, the son of James and Mary (nee Ogilby) Patterson of Robe Street, St Kilda. James Patterson was also a Doctor, and was Mayor of St Kilda at one time. Leslie Patterson was involved with the Melbourne Hunt Club and he and his wife left Melbourne for London in December 1870. He died at the age of 80, in London, on July 1, 1910 (2). It would be interesting to know why the horse was called Koo-wee-rup.
Koo-wee-rup, was entered in the Maiden Plate on the first day of the Victoria Racing Club’s Spring Meeting which was held on Thursday to Saturday, November 5-7, 1868. The Maiden Plate was for three year olds, over a mile and a half. A report of the race described Koo-wee-rup, like the majority of Touchstone’s progeny, appeared small and weedy. In the end, Palmerston won the race with Koo-wee-rup, who threw his rider directly the flag fell, bringing up the rear. (3).
In March 1869, Koo-wee-rup was entered the Helter Skelter Stakes of the Victorian Racing Club’s Autumn Meeting, which he won in a canter by half a dozen lengths (4). The horse was then sold to Mr Clarke for £41 (5). This is possibly Charles Clarke, of Diggers Rest, who is listed in various newspapers reports as owning other racehorses around this time (6). Mr Clarke entered Koo-wee-rup in the District Plate in the Woodstock Races in May 1869, which he won. However it oozed out that a protest had been lodged against him on account of his owner not residing within a radius of fifteen miles of the district. The stewards reserved their decision until a future day (7).
In November 1870, Koo-wee-rup was entered in the Footscray Plate on Derby Day. His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh (Queen Victoria’s son) was in attendance on the day (8). According to The Argus - Koo-wee-rup was the first to show in front. Ghenghis Khan got away very badly, but soon went through his horses and took first place, Orphan being second. At the Abattoirs Koo-wee-rup again took the lead, Stockings being second, and Orphan third. Coming into the straight running, Koo-wee-rup was still leading, the others being close up, and the whips being plied freely in all directions. The Dane came to the front soon after passing the turn, and won with comparative ease, Kooweerup being second and Orlando third, Maid of the Mist fourth, the others tailing off very much. A protest was lodged against The Dane by the owner of the second horse for a cross coming up the straight running. After hearing the evidence, the stewards dismissed the protest.(9).
In March 1871, at the Geelong Races the day’s sports wound up with a Hack race, for which seven started - Koo-wee-rup won the first heat of the hack race, and broke down badly in the second (10). In late November 1871 at the Ballarat Turf Club Spring meeting Koo-wee-rup was one of five starters in the Scurry Stakes which was carried off with ease by Koo-wee-rup, Stafford being second, and Teddington third. Koo-wee-rup, however, by a subsequent decision was disqualified, as being underweight (11).The horse was disqualified because the jockey was found to be 4 pounds underweight at the after-race weigh-in (12).
On December 15, 1871 Koo-wee-rup won the Stewards Cup at the Talbot Races, beating six others and was then sold for £42 to Mr P. Glenister (13). I believe this was Philip Glenister, bookmaker and racehorse owner (14). The final mention I could find of Koo-wee-rup was at the Croxton Park Race meeting on Boxing Day, 1871. The horse was entered in the Selling race, where he didn't place, and later at the same meeting entered in the Flying Handicap, a one mile race. Six of the ten horses that entered the race started, with Koo-wee-rup a favourite - having a fair share of admirers at advanced odds (15). He started well - The favourite was always amongst the front division, and after Koo-wee-rup fell at the other side of the course, just as he was about to make his effort, the result appeared to be in no doubt (16). The fall resulted in a broken leg (17).
It was a sad end for our racehorse.
Footnotes
(1) The Argus, July 1, 1856, see here.
(2) Information from various articles in my Trove list, here. I cannot find any mention of his wife's name - I assume he was married as the shipping report listed Dr L.O Patterson (Staff Surgeon) and Mrs Patterson, see The Leader, December 10 1870, here.
(3) The Argus, November 6, 1868, see here.
(4) The Argus, November 6, 1868, see here.
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