Thoroughbred Associate Nominee: Albert Edmund Cockram
11 November, 2016
Hall of Fame
After returning from looking at Victorian and Eastern States racecourses and thoroughbred sales with “King” George Towton Albert Cockram at the age of 25 was determined to start his own Racecourse.
He leased Burswood Island a 431 acre parcel of land and set about building a Racecourse. He later purchased the Island for 25,000 pounds and built Belmont and Goodwood Racecourses.
Albert had much success as an owner winning Major races across Western Australia and the Eastern States. His horses won five Perth Cups, Two Sydney Cups and many more across Australia. He was the only man in Australia to have a horse called Ballinasloe running in the English Derby in 1914.
Albert Cockram was the largest importer of thoroughbreds into Australia in his time bringing in the best stallions and mares from the Uk and Europe. He purchased the first Flying Fox colt, Peter the Hermit,Apple Charlotte, Dollar Dictator, Contino, Rebus, Poetical, Brown Rajah, Ian Or, Great Applause, Satelles, Sir Thomas, One Away and Melting point to name a few.
He was a pioneer in the development of the fledgling Western Australian Industry and acknowledged throughout the nation as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald in 1920 as “unquestionably one of the best judges of stock in the Commonwealth”.
Two of Cockram’s stallions in his later years were Sansofine and Camelhair who sired many feature race winners. It was Alberts knowledge of a good horse that made him choose Eurythmic at the Eastern States sales for Ernest Lee-Steere.
Albert Cockram was an inaugural member of the W.A. Trotting Association and built the first trotting track at Belmont. He is a life member of the W.A. Trotting Association and life member of The Turf Club.
Albert Cockram was the last private owner of Belmont and Goodwood. His story has been documented by his great Grandaughter Hon. Robyn Mcsweeney in the book Albert Edmund Cockram King of the Racecourse 1870-1943.
WA Racing Hall of Fame – People’s Choice
Coming soon…