Chatham

Bay horse (1928 - unknown), Windbag - Myosotis - Inducted in 2005

Bradley Photographers

Chatham was a "whistler". A severe throat infection when he was a colt resulted in him "whistling" when he galloped.

Biography

TRAINER: Ike Foulsham, Fred Williams

OWNERS: Angus Blair

RACE RECORD/STAKE MONEY: 45 starts: 24 wins, 7 seconds, 1 third/£18,245

Major Wins 

  • Epsom Handicap (twice)
  • Doncaster Handicap
  • W.S. Cox Plate (twice)
  • Caulfield Stakes
  • All-Aged Stakes
  • Craven Plate (three times)

About

Chatham first attracted attention when he ran second in the Victoria Derby of 1931, and then second in the W.S. Cox Plate behind the mighty Phar Lap.

In the years that followed Chatham proved himself one of the finest "milers" ever produced in Australia, winning 12 of his 21 contests over that distance. His wins included the Epsom Handicaps in 1932 and 1933, three successes in the Craven Plate, a Rawson Stakes, two Linlithgow Stakes, an All-Aged Stakes and a Caulfield Stakes. After his second to Phar Lap in the 1931 W.S. Cox Plate, he went on to win that race in 1932 and 1934.

Chatham's ability to carry heavy weights under handicap conditions and at the same time to compete successfully at weight-for-age marked him as one of Australia's best horses in the inter-war period.

Chatham was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2005.

Image Source: Australian Racing Museum Collection