A Day at the Races with John Keady

John Keady (1812-1884) helps with the first “Campbellfield and Pentridge Steeplechase”.

John Keady had purchased a large parcel of land on Sydney Road in 1853, just 6 miles from Melbourne. It’s hard to imagine, but this was all farmland at the time. The parcel of land was 559 acres or 226 hectares.

Adjacent to his property on Sydney Road was the Wheatsheaf Inn which would have been a watering hole for those heading out of Melbourne to the Goldfields.

John’s land known as Somerset Estate had a frontage of nearly 1 mile on Sydney Road and a frontage along the Merri Creek of about 4 miles. (According to newspaper advertisements from 1854 when he tried to sell the property, shortly after purchasing it). It is understood that the Sydney Road frontage was opposite the current Fawkner Cemetery.

By advertisement in the major papers in July 1861 it is announced that, “The First Grand, Pentridge and Campbellfield Steeplechases will take place on Saturday, 20th July, 1861”.

Of note is that J Keady, Esq. was one of the five Stewards for the day. Probably more interesting is that the 2 mile course which started near the Wheatsheaf Inn went across John Keady’s land.

There are some quite detailed accounts of each race provided in “The Argus” which can be found via Trove which is part of the National Library.

For those interested, “Happy Jack” won the first in a canter. “Fivey” took out the second after “Royal Charlie”, who was blind in one eye hit the last hedge and came in second. In the final race “Fivey” fronted up again and led all the way. Apparently it was a most successful day with no serious accidents.

John had already had some experience with horse racing as he had been a Steward for the Brunswick and Pentridge Races conducted on Saturday, 5th May, 1860. This event had a real local focus. Six races were conducted and in three of the races the horses needed to be owned by property holders in Brunswick and Pentridge.

The most interesting race was no doubt the last. The “Cabmen’s Race” which was open only to horses used by local cabmen operating in the area. The horse had to be ridden by the cabman, who could not be under 9 stone. First prize was a full set of harness.

Comprehensive race descriptions were provided in local newspapers but are not in the best quality to reproduce. However, it’s worth noting that Mr Horsington’s “Smuggler” won the cabmen’s race over 1 mile. (Credential’s for Smuggler sound a little dubious.!)

While John Keady certainly played a role as a steward in these early race meets organised by the local community, conducted on informal tracks laid out on their farmland, he does not appear to have been a active participant. No record can be found of his name amongst the entrants nor results published for these events.