52 It is with great pleasure that the Kirby family continues to support the Sir James Kirby Handicap as it has done now for 60 years. Back in July 1963, Sir James Kirby came to Grafton’s annual race meeting…well-known for attracting the state’s best horses and jockeys. He brought with him his favourite horse Home James, the sentimental favourite of the crowd, who went on to win the Grafton Cup that year. Upon hearing of the club’s nancial di culties, Sir James immediately returned his prize money to the CRJC. In appreciation, the CRJC created a sprint event in his honour which went on to become a traditional feature of the Cup Day programme. Home James came back the following year to defend the Grafton Cup, and was the early favourite in betting discussions. Home James had a tough task ahead as he was recovering from a rheumatic condition and, in an unusual situation, was weighted at 8st 12lb while all the other horses in the race were allotted the minimum weight of 7st 12lb. Despite all this, he went on to win the Grafton Cup again, but this time by two lengths in a slightly faster time of 2 mins 11 secs. Home James became the third Australian horse in the Cup’s history to win consecutively and since then, only 2 other horses have made the same achievement. For many years Sir James, a well-known philanthropist and industrialist, contributed much to the CRJC as well as Grafton. In appreciation the City of Grafton bestowed Honorary Citizenship on him in 1970 as well as the keys to the city. Sir James Kirby Handicap Celebrating 60 Years Clarence Valley Office Supplies 62 Prince Street Grafton Ph (02) 6642 2122 sales@clarenceos.com.au
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