Australian Jockey Great Darby Munroe
Australian Jockey Great Darby Munroe
Born into a racing family, David 'Darby' Munro was destined to make it big on the Australian racetracks. Darby followed the footsteps of Jim, his elder brother, an outstanding jockey in the 1920s. Darby was an apprentice when his brother won the Melbourne Cup in 1925. In 1927 he ended up defeating his brother's mount by a head, which was Darby's first victory astride Release, at the age of 14. In 1930 he steered Venetian Lady to victory in the Australian Jockey Club Challenge Stakes and Doncaster Handicap. These two victories caught the attention of leading trainers including Peter Riddell, Jack Holt, and Bailey Payten. Munro was popularly known as 'The Demon Darb' for his close finishes in races and was soon to rated as Australia's top jockey. In 1933, Darby won the AJC Derby and VRC Derby astride Hall Mark. No gambler doubted his riding abiltiy and courageousness on the racecourses, especially his talent to ride out and control his mounts. One of his most famous wins was in the Melbourne Cup of 1934 on Peter Pan. His next Melbourne Cup was astride Sirius in 1944 and Russia in 1946. Darby hardly let the punters down with three Sydney Cups and one Brisbane Cup in the bag. A master tactician, Darby was a strong rider known to use the whip when he was sure of riding home to victory. He also had the uncanny knack to nurse a tiring mount back to strength, which is one of the main reasons why he dominated weight-for-ages during his career. Darby's great judgment of pace brought him nine winners at the 1940 AJC Easter carnival. This included the Doncaster Handicap and Sydney Cup. Shannon brought out the best in Darby at the 1946 Epsom at Randwick, where despite carrying 61 kg. and missing the kick, Darby manoeuvred his mount to shoot ahead and win by a half head. Darby Munro had a constant fight with his weight, always battling to keep it low. An arguement in 1941 with the racing officials earned him a stiff 6 month suspension of his license. In June 1942, Darby enlisted in the army although he was discharged on medical grounds in February 1944. Returning to the mount in 1948, Darby received yet another 2-year suspension penalty for his mount on Vagabond at Caulfield Racecourse. Many allege that the stewards misread his handling of the horse that lost by a head. Suspension of his riding license in 1953 made him eligible to ride in England in 1953. However, he took mounts that were offered to him in the USA and Europe in the same year. Darby retiring in 1955 did not receive the same success as a trainer. In 1964, uUnfortunately he lost his left leg due to diabetes. The master tactician died of cerebral haemorrhage on 3 April 1966 at the Sydney Hospital. The Australian Post honoured Munro posthumously, featuring him on a 22-cent stamp. He was inducted into the Spot Australia Hall of Fame in 1986. Munro remains an inspiration for many young riders with the Darby Munro Stakes run annually by the Sydney Turf Club in his memory. Splendid Journey to North India Tours-A Must See Destination Sunrise Travel Club tips: 6 ways to start generating top MLM leads Cycles UK – London Nightrider Traveling handbags Enjoy an Ethereal Holiday with Beach Tour Packages in India Chauffeur driven in London Working with Travel Display Ads Getting Married? Buy Travel Guard Wedding Insurance Tire suppliers USA makes the country move Exotic Wedding Holiday Destinations Movado Watch Company and Others Prepare for Spring Breckenridge Snowmobile Tours are Full of Excitement and Thrill From Timberland work boots to timberland outlet