Royal Gem
Royal Gem (foaled 1942 in Australia) was a versatile Thoroughbred racehorse that won 23 races ranging from 5 furlongs (1,000 metres) to 12 furlongs (2,400 m). He was later a successful sire in the United States. Breeding. He was a brown stallion by the good racehorse and sire, Dhoti (GB) from French Gem, (a winner of five races in Melbourne including the 1938 VRC Oaks), by Beau Fils (GB). French Gem was the dam of 5 stakes-winners which had 23 stakes-wins. Her other stakes-winners were: Royal Gem was inbred to Son-in-Law in the  third generation of his pedigree (3x3). Stakes races. At two-years: 1944-1945. Five wins including the Ascot Vale Stakes (2yo) over six furlongs. At three-years: 1945-1946. Eight wins including the At four-years: 1946-1947. Four wins including the Royal Gem’s biggest win was the 1946 Caulfield Cup with nine stone (57 kg). However, this win was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the defeat of the champion Bernborough who had won his previous 15 races and then conceded 11 kg to Royal Gem, to finish fifth in this race. It was reported that Royal Gem's  owner, George W. Badman, won £30,000 by backing his horse to win the race. At five-years: 1947-1948. Five wins including the The fact Royal Gem won the Futurity Stakes over seven furlongs (1,400m) and Newmarket Handicap over six furlongs (1,200 m) after his Caulfield Cup 12 furlongs (2,400 m) win proved his versatility. At six-years: 1948-1949. One win, 1948 MRC Underwood Stakes over eight furlongs. Royal Gem carrying 11 stone (70 kg) was also second to Chatter Lad, 7 st 12 lbs (50 kg), in the SAJC Warradale Handicap. Often asked to carry big  weights by the handicappers, he had raced for five seasons starting 51 times for 23 wins, 8 seconds and 5 thirds for £27,630 in prize money. Stud record. Following his six-year-old season Royal Gem was purchased by interests from the United States for £30,000 and brought to stand at stud at Warner Jones, Jr.'s Hermitage Farm in Kentucky. There, he sired the winners of over a thousand races including the 1953 Kentucky Derby winner Dark Star who in turn sired Hidden Treasure, the 1961 Canadian Horse of the Year. Royal Gem's son, Royal Bay  Gem (b. 1950), was a winner of five stakes races in 1953 including the Everglades Stakes and Jersey Stakes for $224,495. Royal Bay Gem also ran third in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes after finishing fourth to Dark Star in the Kentucky Derby. Other Royal Gem progeny includes, Precious Stone won $110,861; Royal Spirit, won in Canada the Duchess Stakes (twice), E.P.Taylor Stakes and Summer Stakes. Its Ann won in Canada the Highlander Stakes and Rose’s Gem won $230,964. The Royal Gem Handicap for three-year-olds run over 1,000 metres at Caulfield is named in  honour of Royal Gem.