AUSTRALIAN CHAMPION AND ICON REMEMBERED

Windbag is one of those rare horses whose names have become synonymous with the English language. Sure, he was named with a word that was in general usage. In fact, Windbag originated in the 1500’s meaning “the bellows of an organ” which effectively were just bags full or air. By the 1800’s, the meaning of windbag came to define someone who talked too much. By the mid 1900’s, with gas replacing wind as a major source of energy, many especially American readers would have grown up hearing the word gasbag having taken over in common usage. With the re-emergence of renewable energy especially wind farms, we are now hearing windbag making a return to modern culture. For racing fans, there can only ever be one Windbag, and he was an absolute champion.

Foaled in 1921, Windbag was the son of champion sire and galloper Magpie, himself a son of Dark Ronald also a champion sire. Magpie had proven himself one of the best gallopers in the UK, having run second, beaten only a head by Gay Crusader in the Two Thousand