TAB TURNBULL STAKES
BY ANDREW LEMON
R ichard Turnbull (1875-1951) was Chairman of the Victoria Racing Club 1942 to 1951, leading courageously during one of the VRC’s toughest eras, through the Second World War, when racing nationally was drastically curtailed, into post-war years when racing boomed but costs soared and building materials were at a premium. He was first elected to the committee in 1925. During his term as Chairman, life delivered him the highest of highs and worst of lows. His filly East End won the 1942 VRC Wakeful and Oaks Stakes, while Sirius, also bred and raced by him, won the 1944 Melbourne Cup. Meanwhile he lost both of his sons on active service overseas with the RAF – John (1942) and Mack (1944) - and his wife Emily died in 1948. The VRC committee recognised his stoicism, consideration, courtesy and service, and in 1948 renamed in his honour the prestigious (October) Melbourne Stakes (1936-47), previously the VRC October Stakes – a race that dated back to 1898. Great horses have won the Turnbull, including subsequent Melbourne Cup winners Comic Court, Rising Fast, Let’s Elope, Makybe Diva and Green Moon along with such champions as Manfred and Bernborough. Winx won twice in succession, 2017 and 2018.
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