THE BARB

While Archer was rightly hailed a champion, it was within a decade that his title of Australia’s best was under threat. Etienne de Mestre was also to be rivalled as the star owner and trainer by John Tait and his stable was headlined by The Barb who won the 1866 Melbourne Cup. His deeds were to become legendary not only in Australia but throughout the UK and USA, a remarkable feat for the day.

The Barb was bred by the Lee family from Bylong near Bathurst. As a foal at foot, The Barb created news having been stolen, along with his dam and other horses, by bushrangers. The thieves were caught but there was no sign of the foal. He was later discovered on a farm where he had been left being too lame to travel. The Barb was by top stallion, Sir Hercules out of Fair Ellen, a mare by the imported stallion, The Doctor. He was not a big foal, and during his racing days stood at only 15.1 hands. Reports of the day though describe him as a distinguished type despite his short stature. According to the website by Ian Ibbett, he is described as “Possessed of a plain head, inclined to be Roman, on a short neck set into deep and very powerful shoulders, The Barb was short in the back but lengthy in his quarters, which were well let down with very muscular thighs and gaskins; and he boasted capital legs to the knees and hocks. Perhaps his only fault in conformation was his rather flat feet, but at a gallop, he moved with a long, sweeping stride.” The Barb was purchased as a yearling by John Tait for the