LA CARABINE - BETTER WITH AGE
La Carabine might well be the most underrated galloper in Australian history. Her name is rarely mentioned when great horses of the past come to mind even though she won ten stakes races including twice winning the AJC Plate, now the Queen Elizabeth, and the Champion Stakes as well as a Sydney Cup, and an Australian Cup. La Carabine was unlucky in that she raced at the same time as one of the true legends of the Australian turf in Wakeful. She was also a daughter of Carbine, and like many of his progeny, she did not reach her peak until she matured. Like Carbine she was widely renowned as having a near perfect galloping action.
La Carabine was bred by Matthew O’Shanassy by Carbine out of his mare, Oratava. O’Shanassy was a son of Sir John O’Shanassy and inherited huge wealth upon his father’s death. Tragically Matthew O’Shannasy died at the relatively young age of 54 although had been ill for some years, reportedly
