Old Jorrocks (Age 16)  1848

Thomas Balcombe arrived in Sydney in 1824 when his father was appointed Colonial Treasurer. Balcombe worked all his life as a draughtsman and then surveyor, with the Surveyor-General’s Department. He was known as an animal painter.

Legendary gelding Jorrocks was bred at Bayly Park stud, South Creek, New South Wales. Jorrocks won every important race in Sydney, often more than once and was regularly walked long distances to reach racing events. He first raced as a 5-year-old and retired at 17, though he ran one final, unsuccessful race two years later. He died, aged 27, in 1861. Jorrocks remains the oldest race-winning thoroughbred in Australian racing history.