Alexander Forrest was the driving force behind the creation of the Perth Cup and, not content with establishing what quickly became the Western Australian Turf Club's top event, he sourced a galloper from Victoria which relegated the two joint favourites to the minor placings in its first edition.
Alexander Forrest was the driving force behind the creation of the Perth Cup and, not content with establishing what quickly became the Western Australian Turf Club's top event, he sourced a galloper from Victoria which relegated the two joint favourites to the minor placings in its first edition.
Born near Bunbury in 1849, Forrest, who served one year as the Chairman of the WATC, thought Western Australia should have a big cup race like most other states. Forrest invited his fellow WATC members to a party at which he announced he would contribute 10 pounds towards the Perth Cup stakes if the others would follow suit. Forrest's guests agreed, the 1887 Perth Cup had total stakes of 250 pounds and First Prince carried his owner's silks of rose and white crossed sashes to victory. Forrest died in 1901 aged 51.