Kingston Town - Black Gelding
Foaled 1976
Sire: Bletchingly AUS (1970)
Dam: Ada Hunter GER (1970)
Trainer: T J Smith
Record: 41 Starts - 30 Wins - 5 Seconds - 2 Thirds - Prize Money $1,605,709
Kingston Town was bred at Kingston Park Studs, Merricks North. He was offered for sale at the Victorian Sales in 1978 but failed to reach the modest reserve price. It was then decided to race the horse and he was trained in Sydney at Tulloch Lodge by TJ Smith. At his first race he came in last in a field of thirteen. He also showed behaviour problems like pacing about his stall and trying to climb the walls. It was decided to have him gelded and sent for a spell, which showed an enormous improvement in his racing ability.
He was to become the outstanding galloper of his era.
Rated as one of the undisputed legends of the Australian turf, Kingston Town is widely recognised as the best horse to have raced in Australia since the mighty Tulloch. Affectionately known as “The King”, Kingston Town was the first horse to win prize money of $1,000,000 in Australasia.
Kingston Town remains the only horse to have ever won 3 successive WS Cox Plates (1980, 1981, 1982). His other victories included the AJC Derby, Sydney Cub, Rosehill Guineas, George Main Stakes (twice), Caulfield Stakes (twice), Warwick Stakes (3 times), Chelmsford Stakes (3 times) and a gallant 2nd in the 1982 Melbourne Cup. From 25 starts in Sydney, Kingston Town won 22. He was ridden to victory by Malcolm Johnston 25 times, by Peter Cook and John Duggan twice and by Ron Quinton once.
Unfortunately it would be severe leg problems (mainly suspensory ligament) that would bring his career to a premature end in 1986. His last race was a victory, following his 2nd in the Melbourne Cup he travelled to Perth where he won the WATC Western Mail Classic (G1) easily. He was then retired to Kingston Park Studs, Merricks North. In March 1991 he badly injured his leg in a paddock and did not recover from surgery and had to be put down at only 14 years of age.
Kingston Town was inducted into the Australia Racing Hall of Fame as an inaugural horse inductee along side turf immortals such as Phar Lap, Tulloch, Bernborough and Carbine.
Awards
- National Horse Of The Year - 1979/80
- Champion Horse Of The Year - 1979/80
- Best 3 Year Old - 1979/80
- Victorian Racehorse Of The Year - 1981/82
- Best 4 Year Old And Upward - 1981/82
- Champion Older Horse 1600m To 2400 - 1981/82
- Top-Weighted Horse For 4 Year Olds And Over 63.5 Kgs in the Australia/New Zealand Handicap Classification - 1981/82
- Advance Australia Sporting Award - 1981/82
- Racehorse Of The Year - 1982/83
Race Record
|
Age
|
Starts
|
Wins
|
Seconds
|
Thirds
|
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
|
3
|
15
|
12
|
1
|
1
|
|
4
|
6
|
4
|
1
|
1
|
|
5
|
9
|
7
|
1
|
-
|
|
6
|
8
|
5
|
2
|
-
|
|
|
41
|
30
|
5
|
2
|
Stakes won: $1,605,790
|
|
|
|
DATE
|
PLACE
|
RACE
|
GROUP
|
DISTANCE
|
CLUB
|
ACTUAL $
|
|
|
AT TWO YEARS
|
|
12.03.1979
|
unplaced
|
Alfalfa Handicap
|
2yo
|
1200m
|
STC
|
$0
|
|
30.06.1979
|
WON
|
Round Table Handicap
|
2yo
|
1200m
|
STC
|
$5,000
|
|
28.07.1979
|
WON
|
Sir Ivor Handicap
|
2yo
|
1200m
|
STC
|
$5,000
|
AT THREE YEARS
|
|
11.08.1979
|
WON
|
Commissionaire Handicap
|
3yo C&G
|
1200m
|
AJC
|
$5,400
|
|
01.09.1979
|
WON
|
Peter Pan Stakers (G2)
|
3yo SW
|
1500m
|
STC
|
$18,000
|
|
15.09.1979
|
WON
|
Gloaming Stakes (G2)
|
3yo SW
|
1850m
|
STC
|
$24,800
|
|
29.09.1979
|
WON
|
Spring Champion Stks (G1)
|
3yo SW
|
2000m
|
AJC
|
$68,700
|
|
15.10.1979
|
3rd
|
Caulfield Guineas (G1)
|
3yo SW
|
1600m
|
VATC
|
$8,000
|
|
20.10.1979
|
4th
|
Caulfield Cup (G1)
|
Open Handicap
|
2400m
|
VATC
|
$7,500
|
|
03.11.1979
|
2nd
|
Victoria Derby (G1)
|
3yo SW
|
2500m
|
VRC
|
$30,000
|
|
09.02.1980
|
WON
|
Express Way Stakes (G2)
|
SWFA
|
1200m
|
AJC
|
$13,600
|
|
23.02.1980
|
WON
|
Heritage Stakes (LR)
|
3yo SW
|
1500m
|
STC
|
$15,500
|
|
22.03.1980
|
WON
|
Rosehill Guineas (G1)
|
3yo SW
|
2000m
|
STC
|
$77,700
|
|
29.03.1980
|
WON
|
Tancred Stakes (G1)
|
SWFA
|
2400m
|
STC
|
$124,000
|
|
07.04.1980
|
WON
|
AJC Derby (G1)
|
3yo SW
|
2400m
|
AJC
|
$140,000
|
|
12.04.1980
|
WON
|
Sydney Cup (G1)
|
Open Handicap
|
3200m
|
AJC
|
$113,900
|
|
24.05.1980
|
WON
|
Grand Prix (G2)
|
3yo SW
|
2200m
|
QTC
|
$14,000
|
|
07.06.1980
|
WON
|
Queensland Derby (G1)
|
3yo SW
|
2400m
|
QTC
|
$37,000
|
AT FOUR YEARS
|
|
30.08.1980
|
WON
|
Warwick Stakes (G2)
|
SWFA
|
1400m
|
AJC
|
$13,600
|
|
13.09.1980
|
WON
|
Chelmsford Stakes
|
SWFA
|
1800m
|
Tatts
|
$13,600
|
|
27.09.1980
|
WON
|
STC Cup (G3)
|
SWFA
|
2400m
|
STC
|
$31,400
|
|
11.10.1980
|
2nd
|
Caulfield Stakes (G1)
|
SWFA
|
2000m
|
VATC
|
$6,000
|
|
18.10.1980
|
3rd
|
Caulfield Cup (G1)
|
Open Handicap
|
2400m
|
VATC
|
$20,000
|
|
25.10.1980
|
WON
|
Cox Plate (G1)
|
SWFA
|
2050m
|
MVRC
|
$131,225
|
AT FIVE YEARS
|
|
15.08.1981
|
WON
|
Premiere Stakes (G3)
|
SWFA
|
1200m
|
STC
|
$9,300
|
|
22.08.1981
|
WON
|
Warwick States (G2)
|
SWFA
|
1400m
|
AJC
|
$13,650
|
|
05.09.1981
|
WON
|
Chelmsford Stakes (G2)
|
SWFA
|
1800m
|
Tatts
|
$20,450
|
|
19.09.1981
|
WON
|
STC Cup (G2)
|
SWFA
|
2400m
|
STC
|
$31,800
|
|
26.09.1981
|
WON
|
George Main (G1)
|
SWFA
|
1600m
|
AJC
|
$34,050
|
|
10.10.1981
|
WON
|
Caulfield Stakes (G1)
|
SWFA
|
2000m
|
VATC
|
$22,750
|
|
24.10.1981
|
WON
|
Cox Plate (G1)
|
SWFA
|
2050m
|
MVRC
|
$131,225
|
|
31.10.1981
|
2nd
|
LKS MacKinnon Stakes (G1)
|
SWFA
|
2000m
|
VRC
|
$7,000
|
|
03.11.1981
|
unplaced
|
Melbourne Cup (G1)
|
Open Handicap
|
3200m
|
VRC
|
$0
|
AT SIX YEARS
|
|
21.08.1982
|
WON
|
Warwick Stakes (G2)
|
SWFA
|
1400m
|
AJC
|
$13,650
|
|
04.09.1982
|
4th
|
Chelmsford Stakes (G2)
|
SWFA
|
1800m
|
Tatts
|
$1,600
|
|
18.09.1982
|
2nd
|
Hill Stakes (G2)
|
SWFA
|
1750m
|
STC
|
$4,000
|
|
25.09.1982
|
WON
|
George Main (G1)
|
SWFA
|
1600m
|
AJC
|
$34,000
|
|
09.10.1982
|
WON
|
Caulfield Stakes (G1)
|
SWFA
|
2000m
|
VATC
|
$26,000
|
|
23.10.1982
|
WON
|
Cox Plate (G1)
|
SWFA
|
2050m
|
MVRC
|
$180,000
|
|
02.11.1982
|
2nd
|
Melbourne Cup (G2)
|
Open Handicap
|
3200m
|
VRC
|
$60,000
|
|
27.11.1982
|
WON
|
Western Mail Classic (G1)
|
SWFA
|
1800m
|
WATC
|
$91,000
|
Pedigree Table - Male Line
(SIRE)
BLETCHINGLY,
1970
|
Biscay, 1965
|
Star Kingdom (Ire), 1946
|
Stardust, 1937
|
Hyperion, 1930
|
Gainsborough
Selene
|
|
Tofanella, 1931
|
Apelle
Try Try Again
|
|
Romanella, 1943
|
El Greco, 1934
|
Pharos
Gay Gamp
|
|
Barbara Burrini, 1937
|
Papyrus
Bucolic
|
|
Angela Rucellai, 1954
|
Rockafella, 1941
|
Hyperion, 1930
|
Gainsborough
Selene
|
|
Rockfel, 1935
|
Felstead
Rockliffe
|
|
Aristareta, 1947
|
Niccolo Dell'Arca, 1938
|
Coronach
Nogara
|
|
Acquaforte, 1936
|
Blenheim
Althea
|
|
Coogee (GB), 1959
|
Relic, 1945
|
War Relic, 1938
|
Man O' War, 1917
|
Fair Play
Mahubah
|
|
Friar's Carse, 1923
|
Friar Rock
Problem
|
|
Bridal Colors, 1931
|
Black Toney, 1911
|
Peter Pan
Belgravia
|
|
Vaila, 1911
|
Fariman
(unknown)
|
|
Last Judgement, 1948
|
Fair Trial, 1932
|
Fairway, 1925
|
Phalaris
Scapa Flow
|
|
Lady Juror, 1919
|
Son-In-Law
Lady Josephine
|
|
Faustina, 1940
|
Felstead, 1925
|
Spion Kop
Felkington
|
|
Romneya, 1929
|
Colorado
Sweet Rocket
|
Pedigree Table - Female Line
(DAM)
ADA HUNTER,
GER, BAY, 1970
|
Andrea Mantegna, Bay, 1961
|
Ribot, 1952
|
Tenerani, 1944
|
Bellini, 1937
|
Cavaliere d'Arpino
Bella Minna
|
|
Sister Stella, 1923
|
Friar Marcus
Etoile
|
|
Impromptu, 1939
|
Concerto, 1928
|
Orpheus
Constellation
|
|
Thoughtless, 1934
|
Papyrus
Virgin's Folly
|
|
Magic Symbol, 1956
|
Makarpura (GB), 1946
|
Big Game, 1939
|
Bahram
Myrobella
|
|
Cap d'Or, 1937
|
Gold Bridge
Lady Madcap
|
|
Magic Wonder, 1949
|
Newton Wonder (GB), 1942
|
Fair Trial
Clarapple
|
|
Conveyor (GB), 1945
|
Pylon
Baringo
|
|
Almah, 1957
|
Alycidon, 1945
|
Donatello, 1934
|
Blenheim, 1927
|
Blandford
Malva
|
|
Delleana, 1925
|
Clarissimus
Duccia di Buoninsegna
|
|
Aurora, 1936
|
Hyperion, 1930
|
Gainsborough
Selene
|
|
Rose Red, 1924
|
Swynford
Marchetta
|
|
Gradisca, 1943
|
Goya, 1934
|
Tourbillion, 1928
|
Ksar
Durban
|
|
Zariba, 1919
|
Sardanapale
(unknown)
|
|
Phebe, 1930
|
Pharos, 1920
|
Phalaris
Scapa Flow
|
|
La Grelee, 1918
|
Helicon
Grignouse
|
