J. Harper
Encyclopedia
Joseph Harper was an Australia
n horse breeder.
Harper traveled overland from Sydney
to Melbourne
in 1843. He established a business as a wheelwright
in Lonsdale Street
, which he sold some years later and moved to Woodend
where he built and opened the Woodend Hotel in 1852. Subsequently he purchased a large tract of land to develop a stud farm, Snugborough Park on the Tylden Road.
Harper proved to be a capable stud farm
er and horse breeder to the extent that one of his horses, Banker won the 1863 Melbourne Cup
and the Victorian Cup two days later. Banker was a younger brother of the horse Barwon that also ran in the 1863 Melbourne Cup but had finished fourth. Barwon had won the 1862 Victoria Derby
, the 1863 VRC St Leger
and the Australian Cup
in 1861.
Such was the joy of the local folk at having not just a Melbourne Cup winner come from the area but also another which had run successfully in a number of well known races, that a public dinner was held to celebrate and toast Harper, the mayor of Woodend and owner of the horse.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n horse breeder.
Harper traveled overland from Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in 1843. He established a business as a wheelwright
Wheelwright
A wheelwright is a person who builds or repairs wheels. The word is the combination of "wheel" and the archaic word "wright", which comes from the Old English word "wryhta", meaning a worker or maker...
in Lonsdale Street
Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Lonsdale Street is located in the centre of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, part of the Hoddle Grid, it runs roughly east-west. Lonsdale Street's eastern end intersects with Spring Street while its western end intersects with Spencer Street. It is home to multiple office buildings, courts,...
, which he sold some years later and moved to Woodend
Woodend, Victoria
Woodend is a small town in Victoria, Australia. The town is in the Shire of Macedon Ranges Local government area. It is bypassed to the east and north by the Calder Freeway and is located about halfway between Melbourne and Bendigo...
where he built and opened the Woodend Hotel in 1852. Subsequently he purchased a large tract of land to develop a stud farm, Snugborough Park on the Tylden Road.
Harper proved to be a capable stud farm
Stud farm
A stud farm or stud in animal husbandry, is an establishment for selective breeding of livestock. The word "stud" comes from the Old English stod meaning "herd of horses, place where horses are kept for breeding" Historically, documentation of the breedings that occur on a stud farm leads to the...
er and horse breeder to the extent that one of his horses, Banker won the 1863 Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is Australia's major Thoroughbred horse race. Marketed as "the race that stops a nation", it is a 3,200 metre race for three-year-olds and over. It is the richest "two-mile" handicap in the world, and one of the richest turf races...
and the Victorian Cup two days later. Banker was a younger brother of the horse Barwon that also ran in the 1863 Melbourne Cup but had finished fourth. Barwon had won the 1862 Victoria Derby
Victoria Derby
The Victoria Derby is an Australian Thoroughbred horse race held annually on the first day of Melbourne's annual Spring Racing Carnival, Victorian Derby Day, held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. A Group One race for three-year-old horses, it is raced on a left-handed turf course at a...
, the 1863 VRC St Leger
VRC St Leger
The Victoria Racing Club's St Leger Stakes is one of Australia's oldest Thoroughbred horse races held on ANZAC Day at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. First run in 1857, the Listed race is open to three-year-olds and is run on turf over a distance of 2800m .Once one of the most prestigious...
and the Australian Cup
Australian Cup
The Australian Cup is a Group 1 Weight for Age race for Thoroughbred racehorses run over 2000 metres, at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia in March...
in 1861.
Such was the joy of the local folk at having not just a Melbourne Cup winner come from the area but also another which had run successfully in a number of well known races, that a public dinner was held to celebrate and toast Harper, the mayor of Woodend and owner of the horse.