At the turn of the Century a 3YO champion would emerge to win all the big features

Poseidon, foaled in 1903 is an Australian Hall of Fame racehorse. He won 19 races over distances ranging from five furlongs to three miles. Sixteen of these wins were "Principal Races" (equivalent to today's "Black Type" races), eight of them now of Group one status. As a three-year-old in 1906/07, Poseidon had 14 starts for 11 wins, including the Caulfield Cup (in race record time) the 1906 Melbourne Cup, Victoria Derby and AJC Derby. In achieving this, Poseidon became the first horse to ever complete the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double. In winning the Caulfield Cup again the following year, he also became the first horse to win consecutive Caulfield Cups.

Poseidon was foaled on 19 August 1903 at R H Dangar's Neotsfield Stud in NSW. He was from the fifth crop of his sire Positano (GB) and was the fifth foal of his dam Jacinth, a daughter of Martini-Henry (NZ), winner of 1883 VRC Melbourne Cup. Positano, a son of the great St. Simon was unplaced in his seven starts in England, although he was placed second in the Ascot Derby. After he was imported into Australia he won three races from 12 starts. Jacinth won five races and was the dam of 11 foals, seven of whom raced for five moderate winners, aside from Poseidon. At the dispersal of the Neotsfield Stud, Poseidon was sold to the Moses brothers as a foal at foot with his dam for 400 guineas. The Moses brothers went on to establish the Arrowfield Stud near Singleton, NSW. Interested only in the dam and not the foal at foot, Poseidon was later sold to owner, Sir Hugh Denison for 500 guineas at the April 1905 Chisholm and Co Yearling Sales in Sydney. Poseidon was trained by Isaac Earnshaw, and ridden throughout his career by Tom Clayton.

He began his three-year-old season with wins in two minor races, before winning the AJC Derby by three lengths, ahead of the two favourites. Just two days later he raced against older competition for the first time in the AJC Metropolitan Handicap, finishing in second place to Solution (NZ). Poseidon chalked up a string of wins in Melbourne. First came the VATC Eclipse Stakes in record time, then just two days later the Caulfield Cup in race record time, the VRC Victoria Derby, and finally the VRC Melbourne Cup. After a spell over Christmas, Poseidon returned in the autumn and continued on his winning ways in the VATC St Helier Stakes, VRC St Leger Stakes, and the VRC Loch Plate. He then finished second to Dividend in the three mile VRC Champion Stakes, before heading back to Sydney for the Autumn Racing Carnival. In his two starts in the autumn, Poseidon won the AJC St Leger, but in his last start as a three-year-old, he finished second again to Dividend in the AJC Cumberland Stakes. During his three-year-old season in 1906/07, Poseidon won, a then phenomenal £12,000 in prize money.

Poseidon continued on with his dominance as a four-year-old. At his first start back in the Rawson Stakes he finished third, but won at his next start, in the WFA AJC Spring Stakes at Randwick ahead of stable mate Apologue. At his second start Poseidon disappointed his backers with a poor third in the AJC Craven Plate after Antonius had cannoned into him mid-race and knocked the wind out of him. Moving back down to Melbourne for the Spring Carnival, Poseidon returned to form, winning the WFA VATC Eclipse Stakes at  Caulfield on 16 October 1907, the Wednesday before the Caulfield Cup. There were 16 starters in the Caulfield Cup in 1907, and after the start he was dropped towards the rear of the field. Jockey Tom Clayton waited to the half mile then set off on Poseidon. Poseidon raced around the field and dashed clear with a winning break, the Cup in his keeping. He had become the first horse to win consecutive Caulfield Cups. On Derby Day, as 1/3 favourite, Poseidon won again beating Apologue in the VRC Melbourne Stakes. Next was the Melbourne Cup, but as a result of his Caulfield Cup win, Poseidon was given a 10 lb penalty, and had to carry 10 stone 3 pounds (65 kg). The weight told, and Poseidon finished in eighth place with the win going to Apologue who carried only (49 kg).

Poseidon returned as a five-year-old for one last campaign. After finishing fifth in the RRC Rawson Stakes, he pulled up sore. As he would require a long spell away from the track to recover, the decision was made to retire Poseidon to stud duties. Poseidon's owner had established the 'Eurmeralla Stud' at Gulgong, NSW, with a number of well-bred Australian and British mares to give Poseidon every chance of success as a sire. His best performers were the "Principal Race" winners Rascasse (1915 QTC Queensland Derby), and Telecles (1918 Australia Day Cup, 1919 MVRC Moonee Valley Cup). Poseidon died on 3 February 1930 at 26 years of age. Each year the Listed VRC Poseidon Stakes for three-year-old colts and geldings is run in his honour.


RACE RECORD - 33: 19-4-3
EARNINGS  - £19,946

Melbourne Cup (1906)
Caulfield Cup (1906, 1907)
AJC Derby (1906)
Victoria Derby (1906)
VRC St Leger Stakes (1907)
AJC St Leger (1907)
AJC Spring Stakes (1907)
Melbourne Stakes (1907)
AJC Plate (1908)
Rawson Stakes (1908)