OakBankRacingClub.com.au
Title
Oakbank Racing Club
Description
It has been over a century and a quarter since Tormentor won the first Great Eastern Steeple around the undulating hill course back in 1876. The race has always been run on Easter Monday except during World War 2 when the army occupied the course and it was run at Victoria Park and Morphettville.
Some great horses have completed the daunting task of winning two Great Eastern Steeples over the 4950 metre course, including Darkie (1877 and 1878), Trigger (1881 and 1884), Swordfish (1885 and 1887), Vanguard (1912 and 1914), Tramp (1913 and 1915), Mount Cooper (1926 and 1927), Club Spirit (1972 and 1974) and Light Hand (1995 and 1996). Some great riders have tasted victory in the big race including Laurie Meenan, Alex Fullarton, Jamie Evans, Mick Patton, Brian Robert Smith, Pug McKenzie, Bluey Armsden, Don Wraight, Tom Glennon and James Scobie who all etched their names to the Great Eastern honour roll.
An unsung hero is jockey Simon Mills, who gained worldwide recognition in 1994 when he was dragged, hung in the stirrups of his horse Sir Sagamore over two jumps in the Great Eastern.
