A STORY FROM THE VAULT
L.K.S AND THE SEPPELT MACKINNON STAKES
By Andrew Lemon
Women, L.K.S. Mackinnon once notoriously declared, should not be licensed as trainers or jockeys: “It was not their proper sphere.” History has not forgiven him. Lauchlan Kenneth Scobie Mackinnon (1861-1935) served on the Victoria Racing Club Committee for 26 years from 1909, and as Chairman for 19 challenging years from the First World War until his death. Scottish-born, on the Isle of Skye, Mackinnon dated his love of the sport to a visit to the races in London before he emigrated to Victoria in 1884. A solicitor, he became a partner in the prominent 2IPFSYVRIǻVQ'PEOIERH7MKKEPP-I[EWWIGSRHGSYWMRERH namesake of Sir Lauchlan Mackinnon, owner of the daily Argus newspaper, whose conservative views he shared. As an owner Mackinnon enjoyed success and made light of disappointments. He won the 1914 Melbourne Cup with Kingsburgh (a grandson of Carbine). His favourite horse was Woorak, an AJC Epsom Handicap and VATC Oakleigh Plate winner. He stood Woorak successfully as a stallion at his Chatsworth Park stud farm. 1EXIV2EGOMRRSRFVMIǼ]FIGEQIXLIPEWXS[RIVSJ2EVMF]VRSRK Stud, upstream of Flemington. As VRC Chairman, his views courted controversy. His 1932 rules IǺIGXMZIP]FERRMRK[SQIRXVEMRIVWERHNSGOI]W[IVIRSX[MHIP] appreciated even at the time. He preferred quality in racing to quantity, and helped close down Melbourne’s many privately owned small suburban racecourses. His committee excluded geldings from the Victoria Derby. He had his detractors.
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