Amounis
Amounis was an Australian Thoroughbred Hall of Fame racehorse. He won 33 races over distances ranging from 6 to 12 furlongs (1,200 to 2,400 metres). Of these wins, 27 were in "Principal Races" (equivalent to today's Group races or "Black Type" races), 16 of these races have since been promoted to Group One (G1) status. In winning the AJC Epsom Handicap he established a new Australasian record time.[1]
| Amounis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sire | Magpie (GB) |
| Grandsire | Dark Ronald |
| Dam | Loved One |
| Damsire | Duke of Melton (GB) |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | 1922 |
| Country | Australia |
| Colour | Brown |
| Breeder | Percy Miller |
| Owner | 1. J.W. Cook 2. Paddy Wade 3. William Pearson |
| Trainer | J.W. Cook before 8 August 1925, Frank McGrath after 8 August 1925 |
| Record | 79: 33-11-8 |
| Earnings | AU ₤48,297/10/- |
| Major wins | |
| Hobartville Stakes (1925) Rosehill Guineas (1925) Epsom Handicap (1926, 1928) Cantala Stakes (1926, 1929) Linlithgow Stakes (1926, 1927, 1929) Chipping Norton Stakes (1927) W S Cox Plate (1927) Essendon Stakes (1928, 1930) Craven Plate (1928) Williamstown Cup (1928) C.B.Fisher Plate (1929) St George Stakes (1930) Futurity Stakes (1930) C M Lloyd Stakes (1930) All Aged Stakes (1930) Warwick Stakes (1930) October Stakes (1930) Caulfield Stakes (1930) Caulfield Cup (1930) | |
| Honours | |
| Australian Racing Hall of Fame (2006) | |
| Last updated on 1 September 2009 | |
Breeding
He was a brown gelding bred by Percy Miller and foaled in 1922 at his Kia Ora Stud, Scone, New South Wales. Amounis was by the outstanding racehorse and sire, Magpie (GB), his dam Loved One was a good racehorse and broodmare by Duke of Melton (GB).[2] Loved One produced 14 foals, of which 8 raced and 5 of these were winners.[3]
Racing career
Amounis was sold as a yearling to a Sydney trainer, J.W. Cook. He started twice as a two-year-old, without success. During a spell (rest) while he was recuperating from a leg injury he was gelded. Amounis then developed into a good type of three-year-old and was sold to Paddy Wade for 2,500 guineas. Wade then raced him for a short season when he ran fourth to Manfred in the AJC and Victorian Derbies. Amounis was sold again when Wade left Australia. This time he was purchased by trainer, Frank McGrath on behalf of William Pearson for 1,800 guineas.[2]
As a three-year-old in 1925-26 he started 13 times for 6 wins including the AJC Hobartville Stakes and Rosehill Guineas.[4]
As a four-year-old in 1926-27 he started 12 times for 6 wins including the Epsom Handicap (in Australasian record time), VRC Cantala Stakes, Chipping Norton Stakes, WS Cox Plate and 1926 Linlithgow Stakes.[3]
As a five-year-old in 1927-28 he started 19 times for 3 weight for age (wfa) race wins, including the WS Cox Plate and 1927 VRC Linlithgow Stakes.[3]
As a six-year-old in 1928-29 he started eight times for four wins including the Craven Plate, AJC Epsom Handicap, Tatt's NSW Tramway Handicap and WmtnRC Williamstown Cup.[5]
Amounis had to compete as a seven and eight-year-old, against Phar Lap in great form, as a three- and four-year-old. As a seven-year-old in 1929-30 Amounis started 16 times for 10 wins including the CPRC Canterbury Stakes (with a record weight),[6] VRC CB Fisher Plate, VRC Cantala Stakes, VRC Linlithgow Stakes, Rosehill Stakes, VATC Futurity Stakes, VATC St George Stakes, 1930 VRC C.M. Lloyd Stakes, VRC Essendon Stakes and 1930 AJC All-Aged Stakes.[2]
As an eight-year-old in 1930-31 he started eight times for four wins including the 1930 Warwick Stakes, VATC Caulfield Cup, carrying 9 st 8 lbs (61 kilograms),[7] VATC Caulfield Stakes and VRC October Stakes. In the 1930 Warwick Stakes, he defeated Phar Lap by a short head to deprive Phar Lap of 24 successive victories.[8] Before this race, Phar Lap had won nine consecutive races. Phar Lap then went on to score another 14 consecutive wins.
At the end of his six-year-old days, he had 19 wins including the Cox Plate but Amounis came back better than ever for his next two seasons. As a seven-year-old, he won nine races (including one over Phar Lap),[3] finishing no worse than third on just one occasion in 16 starts.
1930 racebook
Front cover of the 1930 VATC Futurity Stakes racebook .
Inside cover showing raceday officials.
Starters and results showing the winner, Amounis.
Back cover showing Entrance & Railway charges.
Race record
| Result | Date | Race | Venue | Distance | Weight (st) | Time | Margin | Winner/2nd |
| Unpl | - | CPRC Juvenile Stakes | Canterbury Park Racecourse | 6f | 7.2 | 1:17 | - | Baverlin 1st |
| Unpl | - | RRC Granville Stakes | Rosehill Racecourse | 7f | 7.12 | 1:27.75 | - | Sweet Tress 1st |
| Result | Date | Race | Venue | Distance | Weight (st) | Time | Margin | Winner/2nd |
| Won | - | Moorefield RC Three Year Old Handicap | Moorefield Racecourse | 6f | 7.1 | 1:16.5 | 2 lengths, 1 l | Sunrock 2nd |
| Won | - | RRC Three Year Old Handicap | Rosehill Racecourse | 6f | 7.12 | 1:14.25 | 1½ lengths, 1l | Somnolent 2nd |
| Won | 1925 | AJC Hobartville Stakes | Randwick Racecourse | 7f | 8.10 | 1:28 | 1½ lengths, head | Vaals 2nd |
| Won | 1925 | RRC Rosehill Guineas | Rosehill Racecourse | 9f | 8.5 | 1:54.5 | Neck, 3 lengths | Vaals 2nd |
| Unpl | 1925 | AJC Australian Derby | Randwick Racecourse | 12f | 8.10 | 2:35.25 | - | Manfred 1st |
| Unpl | 1925 | AJC Metropolitan Handicap | Randwick Racecourse | 13f | 7.2 | - | - | Bard of Avon 1st |
| Unpl | 1925 | Victoria Derby | Flemington Racecourse | 12f | 8.10 | 2:31.5 | - | Manfred 1st |
| Won | - | VRC Batman Stakes | Flemington Racecourse | 8f | 8.11 | 1:41 | Neck, head | Hampden 2nd |
| Unpl | - | RRC Railway Handicap | Rosehill Racecourse | 7f | 8.5 | 1:25 | - | Lausanne 1st |
| Unpl | - | AJC Liverpool Handicap | Warwick Farm Racecourse | 6f | 8.7 | - | - | Robespierre 1st |
| Unpl | - | AJC Rous Handicap | Randwick Racecourse | 7f | 9.13 | 1:25.75 | - | Lovebox 1st |
| Unpl | - | Newcastle Mile | Broadmeadow Racecourse | 8f | 9.5 | 1:40 | - | The Epicure 1st |
| Won | - | AJC Exeter Handicap | Randwick Racecourse | 8f | 10.6 | 1:40.25 | 2 lengths, ¾ l | Kalloni 2nd |
| Result | Date | Race | Venue | Distance | Weight (st) | Time | Margin | Winner/2nd |
| Won | - | RRC Dundas Handicap | Rosehill Racecourse | 7f | 8.13 | 1:25 | ½ length, 3 l | Fuji San 2nd |
| Won | 1926 | AJC Epsom Handicap | Randwick Racecourse | 8f | 8.11 | 1:31.25 (Aust/NZ rec) | 3 lengths, ¾ l | Fuji San 2nd |
| Unpl | - | AJC Craven Plate (wfa) | Randwick Racecourse | 10f | 8.11 | 2:4.25 | - | Windbag 1st |
| Won | 1926 | VRC Cantala Stakes | Flemington Racecourse | 8f | 9.8 | 1:37.25 (Race rec) | ½ l, long nck | Preposterer 2nd |
| Won | 1926 | VRC Linlithgow Stakes (wfa) | Flemington Racecourse | 8f | 8.11 | 1:38.5 | 2 lengths, 2 l | Valicare 2nd |
| 3rd | - | VRC CB Fisher Plate (wfa) | Flemington Racecourse | 12f | 8.11 | 2:36 | 1 length, ¾ l | Pantheon 1st |
| Unpl | - | VRC Newmarket Handicap | Flemington Racecourse | 6f | 9.13 | 1:12.5 | - | Gothic (GB) 1st |
| Unpl | - | RRC Rawson Stakes (wfa) | Rosehill Racecourse | 9f | 8.11 | 1:51.25 | - | Limerick 1st |
| Won | - | AJC Chipping Norton Stakes | Warwick Farm Racecourse | 10f | 9.4 | 2:5.5 | ¾ length, 1¼ l | Limerick 2nd |
| Unpl | - | AJC Doncaster Handicap | Randwick Racecourse | 8f | 9.12 | 1:42.25 | - | Don Moon 1st |
| 3rd | - | AJC All Aged Stakes (wfa) | Randwick Racecourse | 8f | 8.11 | 1:38.75 | 2 l, 2½ l | Fuji San 1st |
| Won | - | Murrumbidgee Wagga Gold Cup | Wagga Wagga Racecourse | 10f | 10.5 | 2:5 | 1¾ lengths, 2 l | Lady Tattler 2nd |
| Result | Date | Race | Venue | Distance | Weight (st) | Time | Margin | Winner/2nd |
| 2nd | - | AJC Warwick Stakes (wfa) | Warwick Farm Racecourse | 8f | 9.0 | 1:38 | Hd, hd | Limerick 1st |
| 3rd | - | RRC Hill Stakes (wfa) | Rosehill Racecourse | 8f | 9.0 | 1:39 | 2 l, 2 l | Limerick 1st |
| Unpl | - | AJC Epsom Handicap | Randwick Racecourse | 8f | 9.10 | 1:38.5 | - | Vaals 1st |
| Unpl | - | AJC Metropolitan | Randwick Racecourse | 13f | 9.3 | 2:53.5 | - | Murillo 1st |
| Won | 1927 | MVRC WS Cox Plate (wfa) | Moonee Valley Racecourse | 9½f | 9.1 | 2:0.5 | Nk, 1 l | Avant Courier 2nd |
| 2nd | - | VRC Melbourne Stakes (wfa) | Flemington Racecourse | 10f | 9.1 | 2:5 | Head, ½ l | Silvius (Ire) 1st |
| Won | 1927 | VRC Linlithgow Stakes (wfa) | Flemington Racecourse | 8f | 8.13 | 1:38.25 | Long nck, ½ l | Vaals 2nd |
| 2nd | - | VRC CB Fisher Plate (wfa) | Flemington Racecourse | 12f | 9.1 | 2:34.5 | 2 l, 2½ l | Silvius (Ire) 1st |
| 3rd | - | Williamstown Cup | Williamstown racecourse | 12f | 9.5 | 2:31 | ½ hd, nck | Star d'Or 1st |
| Unpl | - | AJC Flying Handicap | - | 6f | 9.11 | 1:11.25 | - | Killarney 1st |
| Unpl | - | VATC St George Stakes | Caulfield racecourse | 9f | 9.9 | 1:55.5 | - | Black Duchess 1st |
| Unpl | - | VATC Futurity Stakes | Caulfield racecourse | 7f | 10.4 | 1:26 | - | Gothic (GB) 1st |
| Won | - | VRC Essendon Stakes (wfa) | - | 10f | 8.13 | 2:7.25 | ¾ l, ½ l | Spearset 2nd |
| 2nd | - | VRC CM Lloyd Stakes (wfa) | - | 8f | 8.12 | 1:37.25 | 1 l, 2 l | Gothic (GB) 1st |
| 2nd | - | RRC Rawson Stakes (wfa) | Rosehill Racecourse | 9f | 8.13 | 1:53.75 | 2 l, short hd | Limerick 1st |
| Unpl | - | AJC Doncaster Handicap | Randwick Racecourse | 8f | 9.10 | 1:45.25 | - | Simeon's Fort (Ire) 1st |
| Unpl | - | AJC All-Aged Stakes (wfa) | Randwick Racecourse | 8f | 8.12 | 1:39.25 | - | Limerick 1st |
| Unpl | - | AJC King's Cup | Randwick Racecourse | 12f | 8.9 | 2:32.5 | - | Limerick 1st |
| Unpl | - | Murrumbidgee Wagga Gold Cup | Wagga Wagga | 10f | 10.0 | 2:5.8 | - | Charlot 1st |
| Result | Date | Race | Venue | Distance | Weight (st) | Time | Margin | Winner/2nd |
| Won | - | Tatts Club (NSW) Tramway Handicap | - | 7f | 9.4 | 1:2.25 | Hd, length | Habashow 2nd |
| Won | - | AJC Epsom Handicap | - | 8f | 9.7 | 1:37.25 | ½ length, 1½ l | Sion 2nd |
| Won | - | AJC Craven Plate (wfa) | - | 10f | 9.1 | 2:26.25 | 1½ length, 1½ l | Fourth Hand 2nd |
| 2nd | - | VATC Caulfield Stakes (wfa) | - | 9f | 9.1 | 1:53 | 1 length, 3 l | Gothic (GB) 1st |
| Unpl | - | MVRC WS Cox Plate (wfa) | - | 9½f | 9.1 | 1:6.75 | - | Highland 1st |
| 2nd | - | VRC Melbourne Stakes (wfa) | - | 10f | 9.0 | 2:8.75 | Long nck, ¾ l | Gothic (GB) 1st |
| 2nd | - | VRC Linlithgow Stakes (wfa) | - | 8f | 8.13 | 1:38.75 | 1½ length, ½ hd | Gothic (GB) 1st |
| Won | - | Williamstown Cup | - | 12f | 9.5 | 2:32.5 | ¾ length, 1½ l | Bombard 2nd |
| Result | Date | Race | Venue | Distance | Weight (st) | Time | Margin | Winner/2nd |
| Won | - | CPRC Canterbury Stakes | - | 6f | 9.6 | 1:13 | Short hd, ¾ l | Paganelli 2nd |
| Unpl | - | RRC Hill Stakes (wfa) | - | 8f | 9.0 | 1:38.5 | - | Winalot 1st |
| 3rd | - | AJC Spring Stakes (wfa) | - | 12f | 9.3 | 2:30.75 | 2 l, 3 l | Winalot 1st |
| 3rd | - | AJC Craven Plate (wfa) | - | 10f | 9.1 | 2:11.25 | 4 l, 10 l | Phar Lap 1st |
| 2nd | - | VATC Caulfield Cup | - | 12f | 9.5 | 2:30.5 | 2 l, 1½ l | High Syce 1st |
| Won | - | VRC Cantala Stakes | - | 8f | 9.12 | 1:38.25 | ¾ l, 1¼ l | Merab 2nd |
| Won | - | VRC Linlithgow Stakes (wfa) | - | 8f | 8.13 | 1:36.25 | 1 l, 1¼ l | Highland 2nd |
| Won | - | VRC CB Fisher Plate (wfa) | - | 12f | 9.2 | 2:30.75 | 1¾ l, 2⅓ l | High Syce 2nd |
| Won | - | RRC Rosehill Stakes | - | 8f | 9.9 | 1:39 | 2½ l, 2¼ l | Gay Ballerina 2nd |
| Won | - | VATC St George Stakes | - | 9f | 9.9 | 1:53.75 | ½ l, nck | Parsee 2nd |
| Won | - | VATC Futurity Stakes | - | 7f | 10.4 | 1:27.75 | 1 l, neck | Greenline 2nd |
| Won | - | VRC Essendon Stakes (wfa) | - | 10f | 8.13 | 2:4.75 | 1½ l, 6 l | High Syce 2nd |
| Won | - | VRC CM Lloyd Stakes (wfa) | - | 8f | 8.13 | 1:38.5 | 1 l, 3½ l | Greenline 2nd |
| 2nd | - | AJC Chipping Norton Stakes (wfa) | - | 10f | 9.6 | 2:6 | 2 l, neck | Phar Lap 1st |
| 2nd | - | AJC Autumn Stakes (wfa) | - | 12f | 9.0 | 2:33.25 | Short hd, ½ l | Nightmarch 1st |
| Won | - | AJC All-Aged Stakes (wfa) | - | 8f | 8.12 | 1:37 | 1 l, ¾ l | Nightmarch 2nd |
| Result | Date | Race | Venue | Distance | Weight (st) | Time | Margin | Winner/2nd |
| Won | - | AJC Warwick Stakes (wfa) | - | 8f | 9.0 | 1:38 | Short hd, 3 l | Phar Lap 2nd |
| 2nd | - | VATC Memsie Stakes | - | 9f | 9.8 | 1:54.25 | ½ head, 3 l | Wise Force 1st |
| Unpl | - | VRC Quality Handicap | - | 7f 50yds | 9.0 | 1:29.5 | - | Wise Force 1st |
| Won | - | VRC October Stakes (wfa) | - | 8f | 9.0 | 1:37.25 | 1 length, 5 l | Rigadoon 2nd |
| Won | - | VATC Caulfield Stakes (wfa) | - | 9f | 9.1 | 1:55.25 | ½ length, ¾ l | Carradale 2nd |
| Won | - | VATC Caulfield Cup | - | 12f | 9.8 | 2:34.25 | ½ length, 2 l | Solution 2nd |
| 3rd | - | VATC Melbourne Stakes (wfa) | - | 10f | 9.0 | 2:4.5 | 3 lengths, 4 l | Phar Lap 1st |
| Unpl | - | VRC Linlithgow Stakes (wfa) | - | 8f | 8.13 | 1:37 | - | Phar Lap 1st |
At nine years: 1931-32 Did not race
| Result | Date | Race | Venue | Distance | Weight (st) | Time | Jockey | Winner/2nd |
| Unpl | - | AJC Warwick Stakes (wfa) | - | 8f | 9.0 | - | - | Johnnie Jason 1st |
Pedigree
| Sire Magpie (GB) 1914 |
Dark Ronald (GB) 1905 |
Bay Ronald (GB) | Hampton (GB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Duchess (GB) | |||
| Darkie (GB) | Thurio (GB) | ||
| Insignia (GB) | |||
| Popinjay (GB) 1905 |
St Frusquin (GB) | St. Simon (GB) | |
| Isabel (GB) | |||
| Chelandry (GB) | Goldfinch (GB) | ||
| Illuminata (GB) | |||
| Dam Loved One (Aus) 1912 |
Duke of Melton (GB) 1903 |
Melton (GB) | Master Kildare (GB) |
| Violet Melrose (GB) | |||
| La Petite Duchess (GB) | Endurance (GB) | ||
| Cherry Duchess (GB) | |||
| Bul Bul (Aus) 1906 |
Simile (GB) | St. Simon (GB) | |
| Mimi (GB) | |||
| Chand Beebee (GB) | Royal Hampton (GB) | ||
| Missy Baba (GB) (Family: 5) |
References
- ASB - Amounis Retrieved on 2009-7-20
- Barrie, Douglas M., The Australian Bloodhorse, Angus & Robertson, Sydney, 1956, p. 396-397
- Pring, Peter; Analysis of Champion Racehorses, The Thoroughbred Press, Sydney, 1977, ISBN 0-908133-00-6, pages: 229-235
- "Amounis wins Guineas". Sydney Morning Herald. 21 September 1925. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
- "AMOUNIS BRILLIANTLY WINS EPSON HANDICAP". Sydney Morning Herald. 2 October 1928. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
- Purser, Phil (19 March 2010). "Canterbury Stakes Preview". Justracing. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
- Amounis wins Caulfield Cup
- "Amounis Defeats Phar Lap". The Argus Melbourne. 1 September 1930. Retrieved 24 December 2010.