Jerilderie Gold Cup
Arrowfield has been named the Major Sponsor for this year’s Jerilderie Gold Cup.
“Country Racing is racing’s backbone,” reports John Messara. “People often forget that NSW Country Racing comprises 100 professional clubs, 37 amateur clubs and 116 race tracks. That’s a significant number of jobs and associated income for remote communities as well as the social/recreational benefits that accrue to race meetings.”
The Arrowfield Stud Jerilderie Gold Cup will be held on Saturday 12th September, 2009. If you live locally and would like to attend you are more than welcome. Please just let us know and we will arrange tickets.
Did you know? Jerilderie is located on the Newell Highway, approximately 60 kilometres north of the Victorian border (640kms South of Sydney) and is nestled on the banks of the Billabong Creek, the longest creek in Australia. Renowned in history for being the only town in NSW that Ned Kelly visited and the origin of the Jerilderie Letter (see below), it is a thriving agricultural area. As well as producing rice, wheat, soya beans, canola, wool, beef, grapes, and onions, latest statistics show that
24% of the gross national tomato product is grown in the area, as well as 5% of the world supply of licorice. Jerilderie is considered the gateway to the Kidman Way, a fully sealed road to the outback travelling through Griffith, Hillston, Cobar, Bourke and on to Queensland.
Jerilderie is to Australia’s Stud Merino flocks as the Hunter Valley to thoroughbreds. Properties the likes of Bundure, Coornang, The Yanko, Silver Pines, Lone Pine, Morundah, Arrawidgee, Aratula, Willandra, One Oak, Goolgumbla, Pooginook and numerous others have formed the backbone – and bloodlines alike Arrowfield – of Australia’s wool industry. In racing terms, Jeriderie was the base for successful trainer Ken Sweeney who won the SDRA trainers premiership on a record 17 consecutive occasions. As far as country racing goes, Sweeney remains amongst the best- he would often have 2 horses running in Sydney, 3 in Melbourne, 6 at Wagga Wagga and 2 at Carrathool and co-ordinate the whole thing from one base.
The rice industry has been huge over the last 25 years—some of the biggest yields have come from the area—which has tens of thousands of acres under production – but now has no water. The district has, as a result, constantly had to re-invent itself, and not lay down and die. They have a vibrant and forward thinking council, the facilities are amazing for a country town, and the community are prepared to get off their backsides and make things happen – hence Arrowfield ‘s sponsorship!
The Jerilderie Letter Only two original documents by Ned Kelly are known to have survived. The most significant of these is the Jerilderie Letter, dictated by Ned Kelly to Joe Byrne in February 1879. It is the only document providing a direct link to the Kelly Gang and the events with which they were associated. Approximately 8000 words long, this letter has been described as Ned Kelly’s ‘manifesto’. It passionately articulates his pleas of innocence and desire for justice for both his family and the poor Irish selectors of Victoria’s northeast. Donated to the Victoria State Library in 2000, the Jerilderie Letter brings Ned Kelly’s distinctive voice to life, and offers readers a unique insight into the man behind the legend.
Arrowfield’s representative at this year’s Jerilderie Gold Cup – Brian Gorman – has been given a share in Cup runner No Fixed Address by the Jerilderie Race Club for the day. As Brian says “Now THAT is looking after your sponsors!”
