Image courtesy Bradley Photographics - Randwick in the late 19th century.
It’s a complete mystery how this photo finished up on Mark Bradley’s database, but he found it recently and was kind enough to pass it on.
We believe the picture was taken at Randwick in the late 19th century, featuring the leading trainers and jockeys of the day.
Do any of the names ring a bell?
Back Row from left E.Keys, A.Thompson, M.Thompson, I.Earnshaw, T.Payten, M.Dargin, D.O’Brien, T.Lamond, J.Allsop.
Middle Row. A.J.Luckman, H.Gardiner, A.Delany, C.Parker, W.Delany, E.Chaafe, H.Conlon.
Front Row. R.Gough, H.J.Moran, H.Cook, G.Durston, P.Harris, D.Cook, A Bundy.
The taller, bearded gentleman in the middle of the back row is Tom Payten (1855-1920). He worked in racing stables from age 19 and in 1887 was appointed private trainer to high profile owner/breeder James White. It was White who built the lavish Newmarket stables at Randwick.
Tom Payten bought Newmarket when White decided to sell all of his horses in 1890. He later became the first Australian horseman to train the winners of 200 feature races.
It was Tom Payten who sold Newmarket to William Inglis and Son in 1918, before building new stables on Botany Road.
Tom Payten’s son Bayley dominated Sydney’s training ranks right through the 1940’s, winning seven premierships. His best horses were Valicare, Siren, Feminist and Hadrian. He was a successful mentor of apprentice jockeys including Athol Mulley and Ray Selkrig who went on to reach the upper echelon of Sydney riders.
You’ll notice one of the jockeys wore a tie for the photographic session.