A true test of grit and greatness in the early days of Australian racing, Marvel’s Epsom Handicap victory carrying 64.5kg remains unmatched

MARVEL’s 1891 wins were part of an incredible career that saw him become only the second horse in history to complete the coveted Epsom-Doncaster Handicap double in the same racing season. MARVEL was the victor of the Doncaster and Epsom Handicap's and a horse who notably triumphed over CARBINE in a weight-for-age contest. MARVEL passed away in 1906 at Bexley, Queensland. His demise was attributed to complications arising from a dislocated hip, which had prevented him from lying down, coupled with advanced age. "The Black Wonder," as he was frequently referred to, was approximately 20 years of age and had achieved significant accomplishments in his turf racing career.

At that time, he was undoubtedly the most exceptional horse to have competed on Australian racetracks over a distance exceeding one mile, achieving the pinnacle of equine recognition by triumphing over the formidable CARBINE at Weight-For-Age. MARVEL was bred by the Richard Rouse Jnr at Biraganbil stud, Mudgee in 1886, and was sired by MARVELLOUS (Blarney) who stood at Charles Baldwin's Diniwarindi Stud. He was out of the mare LA BELLE, by Maribyrnong from the 1874 Doncaster winner MYRTLE. His dam was also bred at the Rouse Stud. As a two-year-old, he secured victories in four races, notably the First and Second Nursery Handicaps at the Sydney Turf Club's Anniversary meeting.

He did nothing the next season, but as a four-year-old out of five starts was twice successful - in the Autumn Handicap at the VRC. Autumn Meeting, and in the All-Aged Stakes at the AJC meeting, when he beat Carbine easily by four lengths, but later in the day the great son of MUSKET had his revenge in the Cumberland Stakes.

MARVEL and CARBINE, representing contrasting racing styles - one a sprinter and the other a stayer - generated considerable discussion leading up to their highly anticipated encounter in the All-Aged Stakes of 1891. It rained heavily the night before the race, and the track was greasy when the horses went to the post. Carbine was ridden by R. Ramage and Marvel by Mat Harris; Marvel wearing plates, while Carbine faced the barrier unshod due to sore heels. The betting was 5/2 on Carbine, 3/1 against Marvel. The race proved a total disappointment from the public's view point, as in front of 6000 people, Marvel cleared out from the rise of the barrier and, unchallenged, won easily by four lengths friom Carbine, who failed to stand up too well in the slippery going. The testy CARBINE kicked out before the race and tried to savage MARVEL as he headed back to the birdcage after the race that afternoon.

Carbine's admirers considered that if their horse had the advantage of plates he would have done much better. But the general opinion of the time was that Marvel was the better galloper, and that the brown son of Marvellous a stronger "miler" over Carbine. Later on In the same day, on which the All-Aged Stakes was run, the Cumberland Handicap an event over a journey of two miles was decided. Marvel, like Carbine were both saddled up again, and the race proved all in favour of Carbine, who over the latter stages of the journey had the running all to himself and eventually won pulling up by seven lengths. The above shows what cast-iron horses both these early champions were.

Marvel began the following season in sensational style at the AJC. Spring meeting carrying 10st 2lb (64.5kg) he went straight to the front in the Epsom Handicap and ran the mile in 1:40.1. On the third day of the meeting he won the Craven Plate being followed home by some good horses in MEGAPHONE and MELPS; and on the last day was successful with 10st 1lb (64kg) in the Waverley Handicap, the mile and three-quarters being run in 3min 6sec.

His next victory was achieved in the Royal Park Stakes at the YRC. Spring meeting. Then after a few failures came another great triumph - this time with 10st 4lb (65kg) in the Doncaster Handicap, which he won by a head after a sensational finish with ST. BLAIZE. He also won the Cumberland Stakes at the same meeting, but finished out of a place in the AJC. Plate, won by LA TOSCA. He was not returned a winner as a six-year-old, but in the following year was once again successful in the All-Aged Stakes at Randwick. After another season or so of unsuccessful racing he was retired to the stud but failed to produce a horse of any class. Sometime after he was sold to Queensland and used as a sire.

His brother, BLARNEY STONE (1889), was a good stayer that won the 14 furlong AJC Summer Cup and the 16 furlong Tattersall's Club Cup. His sister, PARTY (1884), was the dam of the gelded VATC Toorak Handicap and Oakleigh Plate winner IRISHMAN (1905).