By JOHN TAYLOR OAM, Myrtleford and District Historical Society Inc.

THE long-awaited return of horse racing at the Myrtleford Racecourse occurred on February 29, 1936 at the recreation reserve.

Racing club officials had visited several district race meetings to attract promises of support for the six events on the card.

Office bearers and racecourse officials included Cr JJ Jones (president, supported by seven vice presidents), J McCormack, JM Carroll, J Delany and F Carroll (patrons), Dr Ivy Beaumont and CC Beaumont (Surgeons), C Wraith, NE Webb, A Masciorini and L Welch (stewards), E Ryan (starter, North East District Racing Association), S O’Donnell (Judge), P Nuttall (clerk of course), Rev Dr Meyer (Treasurer) and J Blewitt (saddle cloth steward).

The Albion Hotel, Wangaratta gained the right to operate the publican’s booth and a strong betting ring of nine bookmakers meant “racegoers would not lack anything” on what was Newmarket and St Ledger Day in the city.

Of these nine bookmakers, local men bookie JP (Johnny) McCormack and penciller AE (Ted) McCormack were in attendance.

On race day, a special train brought large numbers of racegoers from Wangaratta, departing at 11:30am, to return at 6:45pm.

Previously, on Saturday February 22, NEDRA handicapper William Hill had declared weights in the six events.

Jockey weights in the old ‘stones and pounds’ varied from 7.0 to 10.10.

Most races attracted prize money of 10 pounds.

The Myrtleford Handicap, the feature event of the day, had a 20 pounds purse and a ‘Richmond Brewery Cup’ donated by Peter Grant Hay.

Mr Hay was one of the founders of the Richmond Brewery, “well known for Richmond Tiger Beer and Richmond Special Export Bitter”, with connections through marriage to the Woodside family of the old Happy Valley Estate.

The winners of each event were:

Encourage Handicap (5 furlongs): ‘Bobkin’ owned by L Twamley, ridden by McMahon, 7.10.

Novelty Pony handicap (4 furlongs): ‘First Edition’ owned by W’ Jones, ridden by Saunders, 7.12.

Myrtleford Handicap (one mile): ‘Restorto’ owned by C Taylor, ridden by Saunders, 9.5.

Publican’s Purse (5 furlongs): ‘Bronze Raven’ owned by J Hayes, ridden by McMahon.

Corinthian Handicap (5 furlongs): ‘Roumond’ owned by J. Maroney, ridden by Kane, 10.0.

Town Plate (6 furlongs): ‘Prince Costello’ owned by C O’Keefe, ridden by Saunders, 8.0.

Reflecting on the efforts of club officials in soliciting entries for what was a fine day, the ‘Myrtleford Times’ commented on the limited participation of horse owners “who did not come up to scratch” and “neither was there an oversupply of jockeys”.

Three races had been confined to two horses, two to three, and the main event - The Myrtleford Handicap - to one horse.

Jockey Saunders rode in five of the races.

Patronage had been affected by clashes with meetings at Numurkah and Albury and NEDRA officials undertook to avoid this situation in future.

Despite small fields, the well organised day was a success with 39 pounds taken at the gate, apart from members’ tickets.

Prior to the last race, Rev Dr Meyer and Cr Jones mounted the grandstand steps and thanked all for their patronage and eulogised the committee and officials for their work.

Mr Hay was thanked for his generous donation of a handsome cup and Rev Dr Meyer presented it to the trainer of ‘Restorto’, Mr R Hoysted, who had won his first race at Myrtleford.

To conclude the day, patrons were invited to the Memorial Hall in town, where the Club committee had arranged with Federal Talkies to screen a ‘RKO’ picture night.

The ‘Myrtleford Times’ reported that “‘One Man’s Journey’ and ‘Say It With Flowers’ were fully appreciated and concluded a thoroughly satisfactory day and night.”

In August, 2023 the Myrtleford and District Historical Society was contacted by the Bendigo Jockey Club about a trophy stored at the Bendigo Racecourse.

The trophy, the “Richmond Brewery Cup”, donated by P Grant Hay Feb. 1936, was retrieved and is now displayed at the Old School Museum.

The trophy for a one-horse race was back in town.