Rakwool

Rakwool
Sire	Woorak
Grandsire	Traquair
Dam	Wollumqua
Damsire	Petrillo
Sex	Gelding
Foaled	1925
Country	Australia
Colour	Bay
Breeder	A. E. Tyson & E. Y. Shiel
Owner	E. Y. Shiel
Major wins
VRC Grand National (1931)

Rakwool was an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who carried 73 kg (11 st 7 lbs) to win the Grand National Steeplechase at Flemington by 20 lengths in 1931. He cleared the fences beautifully that day, to the relief and surprise of his backers, because Rakwool was possibly the most erratic, reckless bone-jarring performer that Victorian racing has seen. His racing career was ended by injury at the age of six.

Background

Rakwool was a bay gelding sired by Woorak, an Australian stallion whose best offspring was the Caulfield Cup winner Whittier. His dam, Wollumqua, had produced four previous winners and went on to foal Precocious, which won the VRC Grand National in 1932. Wollumqua was sold for 625 guineas by her owner A. E. Tyson to E. Y. Shiel when pregnant with the foal who would be named Rakwool. The horse's earliest training was handled by Shiel's daughter, Dorothy. Rakwool was famous as a rogue, who treated his jumps with disdain and made the hairs stand up on the necks of the jockeys who rode him. The size of the obstacles made no difference to Rakwool, who seemed to take delight in rapping hurdles with his forelegs and ploughing through the tops of fences as if they didn't exist. Famous rider Bob Inkson won many races on him, but still held him in awe. Inkson never knew what to expect as each jump loomed up ahead. Rakwool put in different risky leaps almost every time, often ploughing through them but somehow managing to keep his feet.

Racing career

Hurdle races

His first hurdle win was at Moonee Valley, when he surged to the lead from the outset and gave his rivals a merry chase. Coming to the last, Hughie Cairns on Quick Deal, moved up to challenge. Rakwool took off very early and Quick Deal tried to go with him. Quick Deal landed with his front legs tangled in the battens and crashed heavily. Cairns was dead before reaching the casualty room.

Because he was such a tearaway in his races, other jockeys became wary of Rakwool as hurdles often rebounded when he collided with them, crashing into the next unfortunate runner. The fact he started his leap so early was also a great concern. Inkson made sure Rakwool led in his races so the gelding could get a clear sight of the jumps. If he'd been ridden behind other runners it could have proved disastrous, as there would have been no way of measuring them.

Steeplechases

Rakwool's first attempt over fences after winning hurdle races gave Inkson the most terrifying ride of his career. Rakwool brushed through almost every fence and ran third at Mentone. In fact, the next time Rakwool ran Inkson was pleased to accept the mount on a gelding named Flavedo, who ran second to Rakwool. Inkson took the mount at Moonee Valley. Rakwool carried 77 kg (12 st 2 lbs) but after having Inkson out on his ears four times, ran second. It was another hair-raiser. Inkson took the mount on Rakwool at his next start, over the big, solid Flemington fences. He consistently made mistakes and when Inkson dismounted after winning the race he was amazed the gelding's legs were intact.

In June 1931 Rakwool won the Prince of Wales Steeplechase at Melbourne under a weight of 11 st 12 lbs and carried 12 st 7 lbs to victory in the Wanda Steeplechase. In July he recorded his most significant win in the Victorian Grand National. Carrying 11 st 7 lbs he reportedly outjumped and outstayed the opposition to win impressively. A week later, Rakwool carried 13 st 2 lbs in the Godfrey Watson Steeplechase at Caulfield Racecourse in July in which he sustained a career-ending injury. Rakwool was up to his usual antics but this time his huge weight overpowered him. He began his leap much too far from the last fence and landed on the near side of it with his chest, throwing his rider clear. Rakwool turned a complete somersault and it was feared he had broken his back. He jarred his entire body and was partly paralysed for many weeks. But he recovered enough to enjoy his retirement to the paddock.