Australian Jockey Club History. The Champion Race. Death of Strop. The Tally-Ho Stakes. St. Leger and Derby Stakes. The year 1860 was notable from the fact that the second race for what was termed the Australian, New Zealand and Tasmanian Champion Sweepstakes was run off at Randwick. It took place on Saturday, September 1st, when about 10,000 people, including the Governor and the Premier (Mr. John Robertson), Colonial Treasurer (Mr. Meekes), Minister for Works (Mr. Arnold) and Mr. M’Quade (starter) were present. The conditions of the leading event on the card read:—Second Australian Champion Stakes, of a sweepstakes of 100 sovereigns each, h. ft., with 500 sovereigns added; second horse 200 sovereigns if three horses start, or save his stake only if two start; third 100 sovereigns; 3 miles, N.S.W., w.f.a. The following were placed:— Mr. J. Tait’s ch. m. Zoe, by Sir Hercules—Flora M’Ivor, aged, 9st. 3lb. (J. Ashworth) 1 Mr. G. Dupas’ b. g. Wildrake, by Sir Hercules—Woodstock, 5 years, 9st. 1lb. (R. Snell) 2 Mr. J. Higgerson’s ch. g. Veno, by Waverley—Peri, aged, 9st. 5lb. (J. Higgerson) 3 Mr. Hargrave’s b. m. Deceptive, by Young Plover—Vanity, 5 years, 8st. 13lb. (Willis) 4 Other starters were: Gratis (Holmes), Moss Rose (J. Cutts), Strop (J. Carter), Waimea (J. Redwood), Young Morgan (J. Driscoll), The Don (Murphy), Flying Buck (Perkins). Betting: 7 to 4 Flying Buck, 5 to 1 Zoe, 6 to 1 each Veno and Strop, 8 to 1 Deceptive, 100 to 8 Young Morgan, 100 to 5 each Moss Rose, Wildrake and The Don. The Don led until going up the hill near the six furlongs post the second time, when Zoe took up the running, and remained in front to the finish, winning easily by a length from Wildrake, who beat Veno by two lengths, with Deceptive a length away fourth, followed by Strop, Gratis, The Don, Young Morgan and Waimea, with Flying Buck and Moss Rose last. Time, 5 min. 59 sec. This race and others showed that the New Zealand horse, Strop, was by no means in his best form, and when he returned to the paddock the old horse staggered, fell down and died. An investigation showed that the cause of death was congestion of the lungs. He was buried just at the back of the old winning post. A notable item in connection with the A.J.C. Spring Meeting of 1860 was the winning of the first race by Archer—the Maiden Plate of 120 sovereigns—which he won easily from the New Zealand mare Io. On the second day of the meeting was run the first hurdle race, known as the Tally-Ho Stakes, of 50 sovereigns, 2¼ miles, over nine hurdles three feet six inches. The winner was Miss Weller, ridden by Chase. The added money for the year was £2,320.