The first lady of the New Zealand turf was nothing short of brilliant in a time of war

In the early days of the First World War, New Zealander's looked to the turf to lift their spirits and the exploits of one exceptional racehorse. The renowned and triumphant New Zealand thoroughbred, Desert Gold, graced the racing scene during the difficult era of World War I. As valiant young men answered the call to serve and embarked on the arduous journey to Europe in 1915, this exceptional filly had already commenced her illustrious reign. Her front running style and fierce determination thrilled race fans in Australia and New Zealand, winning 36 races, including 19 in succession. She was owned by T. H. Lowry and trained by Fred Davis for whom she won many good races. Desert Gold was by the brown sire All Black GB (1904) by the chestnut dam, Aurarius AUS (1905) and bred not far from Hawkes Bay. The Lowry name would breed horses from their Okawa base for generations to come. In Desert Gold they had a long legged filly that was beautifully built for speed.

In 1914, she won the Great Northern Foal Stakes and  Royal Stakes, the Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (in race record time) and the North Island Challenge Stakes, demonstrating the emergence of a seriously formidable contender. Desert Gold had 14 starts and won all of them, five of them in race record time - a win record that stood for 30 years until beaten by Mainbrace. As four-year-old Desert Gold had seven starts and won five of them and was second and third in the other two races. An indication of her abilty was when the mare beat Sasanof at Ellerslie less then two months after he won the Melbourne Cup. Sasanof was at his peak, but Desert Gold defeated him comfortably. Desert Gold had 13 starts as a five-year-old and won nine of them, and was second in two and third in the other two races. She was beaten on a heavy track at Hastings by a 2yo horse carrying 38lbs less. Jockey Jacko O'Shea also accused the winning rider of pulling his reins early on in the race which hindered her chances significantly.

As six-year-old Desert Gold had 10 race starts for 2 wins and 5 seconds. She was allotted a handicap weight of 9 stone 6 pounds (60kg) in the Melbourne Cup but was unplaced to the winner, Night Watch, who carried 6 stone 9 pounds (42kg). As topweight and with serious interference the mare never really stood a chance. The mare was so popular by now that even big tobacco companies wanted her for endorsements. The War ended but a new challanger was on the horizon and ready to take her mantle. The champions met in three match races in Taranaki in 1919. Her only principal win was when she defeated the star three-year-old colt, Gloaming in the 1919 Taranaki Stakes, with Hector Gray kicking the mare home in record time. In her final season of racing, Desert Gold had three starts for a third in the G.G. Stead Memorial Stakes which were won by Gloaming.

Desert Gold was retired and returned to Okawa Stud, becoming a successful broodmare that produced a total of nine foals, of which six raced and three were winners. Several races have been named after her in New Zealand, including the time-honoured $100,000 Group III Desert Gold Stakes (1600 m) at Trentham Racecourse.

RACE RECORD - 59: 36-13-4
EARNINGS - £23,239

Great Northern Foal Stakes (1914)
Royal Stakes (1915, 1916)
Islington Plate (1915, 1916, 1917)
Hawke's Bay Guineas (1915)
New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1915)
Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1915)
Great Northern St. Leger (1916)
Awapuni Gold Cup (1916, 1917, 1918)
CJC New Zealand Derby Stakes (1915)
Great Northern Derby (1916)
New Zealand Oaks (1916)
Wellington Stakes (1916)
VATC St George Stakes (1918)
AJC All-Aged Stakes (1918)
Taranaki Stakes (1919)