PRINCE FOOTE

Prince Foote won eleven stakes-races including the AJC and VRC Derbies, both St Legers and the Melbourne Cup while still a 3yo, yet barely rates a mention when great Australian racehorses are mentioned. He was to become only the third horse after Grand Flaneur and Poseidon to win the AJC Derby, VRC Derby and Melbourne Cup in the same season. The feat since then has only ever been repeated by champions Trivalve and Hall Mark. Rather oddly both Trivalve and Prince Foote have not yet earned a place in Australia’s Racing Hall of Fame. Phar Lap of course was to miss the Melbourne Cup in his 3yo season but came back the following year to win that great race having won the two Derbies. But on to Prince Foote.

Prince Foote was bred and raced by coal baron and industrialist, John Brown under the name of ‘J. Baron,” in the famous blue and yellow colours. Perhaps it was Brown’s involvement that lessened the importance of Prince Foote in a historical setting, as he was far from the most popular owner of his day. Some claim that his interest in ownership was part of his desire for power, and that racing allowed him easiest access to politicians and important business figures. Despite his great wealth, Brown lived relatively modestly, but it was reported that eventually Brown had a falling out with everyone he came in contact with. Despite his successes, he went through a string of Sydney’s top trainers and jockeys. Brown also caused a furore with punters when his good horse, Duke Foote, a son of Prince Foote, was scratched during the 1913 AJC Spring Carnival. It led to one of the largest and most hostile demonstrations ever seen on an Australian racetrack. Duke Foote