1873 Melbourne Cup

Edition of the Melbourne Cup April 2022 September 2021 1873 Melbourne Cup Melbourne Cup Flemington Racecourse 6 November 1873 2 miles Don Juan 3:36.0 3/1 William Wilson James Wilson W. Johnstone Turf 63,000 1872 1874 The 1873 Melbourne Cup was a two-mile handicap horse race which took place on Thursday, 6 November 1873. This was the thirteenth running of the Melbourne Cup. Don Juan's victory was a controversial one. Immediately following the race Don Juan's victory was called into question and a protest was lodged. The Sydney Mail reported on 22 November that the protest claimed the horse was a year older than his stated four years of age.22 November 1873 The Melbourne Cup XVI 661 The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser 699 New South Wales, Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article162658435 National Library of Australia 5 November 2021 There were also rumours that Don Juan was substituted for a better horse. The protest was dismissed and the rumours were never proven. Don Juan (1873) Facts, Stats & Trivia of The Melbourne Cup O'Reilly Paddy 2016 New Holland Publishers Pty Ltd Melbourne 25 9781742579054 Following morning showers, a final field of 24 horses started the race. Protos and Calaba were in front at the first post, with Protos maintaining its lead in front of King Tom and Lapidist down the back straight. King Tom took the lead approaching the final turn, but it was Don Juan that lead the field down the final straight. Don Juan pulled away to win easily, the betting favourite saluting ahead of Dagwood who held off a fast-finishing Horatio. Don Juan won by three and a half lengths in a new record time of 3:36.0. Three horses were injured in the race with Horatio badly splitting a hoof, while Hamlet broke down during the race. It was reported that Index returned to the paddock lame.News of the Day https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/18290536 6 January 2026 The Age 7 November 1873 Melbourne, Victoria 2 For trainer James Wilson it was his first Melbourne Cup victory coming after three second-place finishes. The owner of the horse was listed as "Mr W. Johnstone" which was a known alias of Melbourne bookmaker Joe Thompson. Don Juan had been listed for sale before the spring season and had been sold to grazier Joe Inglis,Rolfe Costa Winners of the Melbourne Cup 2008 Red Dog Fitzroy, Australia 9781742035093 33–35 but remained at the stables of James Wilson until after the spring season. Thompson won so handsomely on the race that he directed some winnings to charity and built himself a mansion in East Melbourne which he named Don Juan House in tribute to the winning horse.East Melbourne, Albert Street 268, Woollahra https://emhs.org.au/history/buildings/east_melbourne_albert_street_268_woollahra East Melbourne Historical Society 6 January 2026 Don Juan had also won the Caulfield Handicap and the Essendon Stakes in the lead-up to the Melbourne Cup. Then Governor of New South Wales, Sir Hercules Robinson's horse Fitz-Yattendon finished the race in eighth place, with the governor one of the distinguished attendees at the race. Newspaper reports of the race were limited by the withdrawal of free passes to the racecourse provided by the Victoria Racing Club, leading both The Argus and The Australasian to reduce their coverage and complain about the lack of access.The Press and the Victoria Racing Club https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/138632766/11287818 6 January 2026 The Australasian 8 November 1873 Melbourne, Victoria 9 A new grandstand was opened in time for the running of the race, housing 3,000 people at the foot of the hill overlooking the final part of the course. Designed by civil engineer Robert Cooper Bagot, the secretary of the Victoria Racing Club, it was nicknamed "Bagot's Cowshed."Bernstein D.L. The First Tuesday in November 1969 William Heinemann Ltd Melbourne 27-28 Full results This is the list of placegetters for the 1873 Melbourne Cup.1871 to 1880 Melbourne Cup Winners http://www.races.com.au/melbourne-cup/melbourne-cup-history/past-winners/1871-to-1880-melbourne-cup/#1873 races com au 28 May 2022Cavanough Maurice The Melbourne Cup 1978 0727004859 445 81873 Melbourne Cup MillersGuide http://millersguide.identika.com.au/1873-melbourne-cup/ millersguide.identika.com.au 6 January 2026 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20220323111002/http://millersguide.identika.com.au/1873-melbourne-cup/ 23 March 2022Melbourne Cup Winners - 1861-1880 https://www.vrc.com.au/racing/melbourne-cup-winners-honour-roll/1861-1880/ Victoria Racing Club 5 November 2025The Races - Second Day https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5874956/236877 6 January 2026 The Argus 7 November 1873 Melbourne, Victoria 5Second (Cup) Day - Thursday, Nov. 6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/138632758/11287819 6 January 2026 The Australasian 8 November 1873 Melbourne, Victoria 10–11 PlaceHorseAgeGenderJockeyWeightTrainerOwnerOddsMargin1Don Juan 4y hWilliam Wilson 6 st 12 lb kg 1 on James Wilson Mr W. JohnstoneOwner Alias of Melbourne bookmaker Joe Thomson3/1 fav. Favourite3½ lengths2Dagworth 5y h George Donnelly 9 st 9 lb kg 1 on Etienne de Mestre Mr. R. Bloomfield20/1½ length3Horatio 4y h M. Thompson 7 st 13 lb kg 1 on Etienne de Mestre Etienne de Mestre 5/14 The Arrow 4y h H. Lewis 8 st 2 lb kg 1 on John Tait John Tait10/15 King Tom 4y h Samuel Davis 6 st 12.5 lb kg 1 onKingTom Was supposed to carry 6st 10lb Mr P. Lewis14/16 Ace of Trumps 5y h Sam Cracknell 7 st 2 lb kg 1 on Tom Jordan Mr W. Gerrard50/17 Dolphin 5y m Nolan 7 st 11 lb kg 1 on Mr W. Pearson 50/18 Fitz-Yattendon 3y c Duggan 5 st 10.5 lb kg 1 onFitzy Was supposed to carry 5st 9lb Hercules Robinson 8/1 Hamlet 5y h Thomas Enderson 9 st 7 lb kg 1 on Mr J. Crozier Jr 14/1 Priam 5y h G. Thomson 8 st 2 lb kg 1 on Mr H. Herbert 25/1 Lancer 5y hTom Hales 8 st 0 lb kg 1 on Thomas Joseph Ryan 10/1 Exile (late Lapdog) Aged g Gardener 7 st 12 lb kg 1 on Mr S.G. Bowler 50/1 King of Clubs 4y h J. Jellett 7 st 11 lb kg 1 on Eli Jellett 10/1 McCallum Mohr 4y h William Enderson 7 st 11 lb kg 1 on John Tait John Tait 20/1 Early Morn 6y h M. Bryan 7 st 9 lb kg 1 on John Coldham 14/1 Calaba 4y h T. Hill 7 st 7 lb kg 1 on Mr R. Holland 20/1 Protos 6y g Haughtey 7 st 7 lb kg 1 on Mr S.P. Winter 33/1 Index Aged g Swannell 7 st 4 lb kg 1 on Mr E. Gough 50/1 Benjiroo 5y h Chalker 6 st 10 lb kg 1 on Mr C.S. King 12/1 Lapidist 3y c H. Grubb 6 st 11 lb kg 1 onLapidist Was supposed to carry 6st 10lb William Filgate William Filgate 50/1 Victorian Aged g Robert Batty 6 st 10 lb kg 1 on Mr K. Brown 20/1 Lothair 5y h John Kean 6 st 8 lb kg 1 on Mr Cassidy Mr R.J. Hunter 50/1 Fearnought NZL 4y g A. Ross 6 st 8 lb kg 1 on Andrew Chirnside 50/1 Bismarck Aged g J. Green 6 st 7 lb kg 1 on Eli Jellett 50/1 Prizemoney First prize £1360, second prize £50, third prize £20. See also Horses Sports Australia Melbourne Cup List of Melbourne Cup winners Victoria Racing Club Notes References External links 1873 Melbourne Cup footyjumpers.com 1873 Melbourne Cup Melbourne Cup Category:19th century in Melbourne Category:1870s in Melbourne