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Rubiton -  Profile of a Champion
Brown Stallion Born 18th October, 1983
by Century out of Ruby

Taken to Melbourne for his next run in the Second Kilsyth 3yo Handicap at Sandown he recorded an easy victory by 2 1/2 lengths over future VRC Derby winner Raveneaux. Stepping up to stakes class he went to Moonee Valley for the Red Anchor Stakes over 1200m. Rubiton again proved far superior racing away from 10 opponents to win by five lengths from Arch of Victory with Judge’s Rule in third.

After a spell Rubiton returned to racing in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes. Around the turn he joined Caledonian Boy with Between Ourselves out wider and Canny Lass looking for a gap. On straightening Rubiton drifted out slightly letting Canny Lass squeeze through a gap to challenge Between Ourselves, the widest runner. Canny Lass and Between Ourselves came together when not quite clear of Rubiton causing the entire to be checked and he dropped back to finish with a wall of horses just behind the placegetters. A third at Sandown in the Autumn Stakes followed and Rubiton returned to Adelaide to prepare for the big autumn sprints. In an attempt to get Rubiton to relax during fast gallops and races he was galloped by Jim Mettam in a heavy saddle with long stirrups. It seemed to work and Rubiton’s connections set about looking for a new race jockey with the particular riding style. During this time after heading back to Melbourne Rubiton was being given a pick after an early morning track gallop by trainer Pat Barns as Harry White and Darcy Christie happened to stroll by. Harry White happened to comment what a stunning looking horse Rubiton was, a remark which was overheard by owner David Baylis who was standing nearby. Soon after Harry White was offered the ride and rode Rubiton for the remainder of his career.

Next up he tackled the best sprinters in the land in the Oakleigh Plate. In fourth place turning for home Rubiton soon moved up to third behind Special and Placid Ark. He was no match for the two champion sprinters as Placid Ark gained the upper hand to win from Special with Rubiton third four lengths clear of the field. A week later Rubiton took on a field of established weight for age performers in the Futurity Stakes and gave a preview of what he was to do the following spring. Around the turn he joined Campaign King in the lead before taking over and racing away over the concluding stages to win easily from King Phoenix who had chased hard down the straight.

A rematch with Placid Ark and Special in the Newmarket followed. At the 400m racing on the inside rail Rubiton joined and headed Special before kicking clear but down the grandstand side of the track Placid Ark was powering home to prove too good and making history in completing the Lightning, Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket treble. Princely Heart also coming down the outside fence got up on the line to grab second with a head back to Rubiton in third. Harry White was later reported that had he been drawn to race down the outside rail he considered that Rubiton would have gone close to catching the champion sprinter.

The Sydney carnival was next on Rubiton’s program with a first up run in the Phar Lap Stakes for 3yos. During the race Rubiton was badly galloped on but still managed to run second to Merry Ruler. The off hind tendon sheath had been badly cut but with treatment appeared to heal cleanly averting what could have been a premature end to his career. Soon after things changed and the wound became infected and the area thickened leaving him with a slightly enlarged tendon however it was not to affect his galloping ability.

After a spell he was set for the Melbourne spring with his first target the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley. It was thought to be a race for second with Broad Reach the raging favourite. Also in the field were Special, Dazzling Duke, Catering King and Caledonian Boy. Approaching the 600m Rubiton went for home and raced away for the high class opposition to win by 3 1/2 lengths from Dazzling Duke, who came from last, with Caledonian Boy third. In winning Rubiton created a new race record of 1.10.5 with his final 800m in 46.6.

Only 5 rivals opposed the stallion at his next run the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield. Society Bay led from Broad Reach with Rubiton next. Around the turn Society Bay sprinted clear with Rubiton looking to have a task to get close. With 200m to go he set out after the speedy mare drawing level at the 50m with the other rivals nowhere in sight. In the final stages he came away under hands and heels to win by a neck from Society Bay with Cossack Warrior third.

Set for the John F Feehan Stakes over 1619m at Moonee Valley Rubiton was running race times in trackwork. On the Tuesday he reported recorded 1.26.25 over 1400m at Flemington then 59 for 1000m on Thursday and some thought that he would be vulnerable on raceday after working so hard during the week. His connections were unfussed with Harry White saying it was impossible to hold him any slower and Pat Barns quoted as putting it down to the horse being a good doer. The race itself was billed as the clash between Rubiton and Vo Rogue and this pair dominated in the run with Rubiton drawing alongside Vo Rogue around the turn with daylight to the others. It was a one sided affair from that point though as Rubiton hit the front before kicking away under hands and heels riding to win by 1 1/2 lengths to Vo Rogue with AllSpades about 3 1/2 lengths away in third. 

Despite all the superlatives that surrounded the Feehan win five days later the Underwood Stakes was billed as an even clash between Military Plume and Rubiton. Military Plume had won the Australian Guineas the previous autumn and had returned to racing in the spring with wins in the Liston Stakes and Craiglee Stakes before the Underwood Stakes run. During the race Dazzling Duke and Field Dancer led to the turn where Rubiton just shaded Military Plume as they challenged for the lead together. On entering the straight Rubiton drifted in slightly causing Military Plume to check as Rubiton hit the front on straightening and cruised away from the others to win in a track record time of 2.00.00. Fair Sir was second with Drought third. Despite being suspended over the ride Harry White couldn’t contain his delight concerning Rubiton declaring him the best horse he had ridden surpassing the great 3yo Sobar.

Just over two weeks later was Rubiton’s next start the Caulfield Stakes. He appeared unbeatable on the form leading up to the race but on the Friday the day before the race Rubiton bolted at trackwork running race speed in what was suppose to be a leisurely workout at Flemington.  Pat Barns was unimpressed as his charge returned afterwards but Harry White was sure the horse still run up to his bet on raceday. The race showed the workout had flattened Rubiton as Fair Sir raced clear past the 200m with Rubiton flat out trying to chase him. Over the final 100m Drought charged home from the pack but Fair Sir held on to win by a head from Drought with Rubiton 2 1/2 lengths away in third.

It was decided that Rubiton would be sent away from the city training environment to George Hanlon’s property at Leopold near Geelong in an attempt to freshen him up for the main race of the spring the WS Cox Plate only 2 weeks away. When he returned for the race the change in routine appeared to have worked.

The field contained the best of the older weight for age performers (with the exception of Military Plume) plus the best of the 3yos. Star miler Campaign King, New Zealand mare Tidal Light, front runner Vo Rogue, Fair Sir and Drought plus the outstanding 3yos Our Poetic Prince, Marwong, Beau Zam, Kaapstad and Midnight Fever made up the field. Rubiton drifted back early as Tidal Light tried to match strides early with Vo Rogue but when they settled into stride Vo Rogue led by 4 lengths to Tidal Light with 4 lengths to Marwong as the field spread out. Past the 1200m Vo Rogue powered away to lead 12 lengths to Tidal Light and 10 lengths to the others. By the 800m Vo Rogue started to feel the effort as his lead shortened to 6 lengths to Tidal Light with 8 lengths to Marwong and Our Poetic Prince as Midnight Fever went wide to make a run with Rubiton trying to get through the centre of the packing field. Our Poetic Prince hit the front around the turn from Marwong and Vo Rogue as Rubiton started his run outside Fair Sir. On straightening Rubiton’s back legs slipped from under him and he contacted Fair Sir. Our Poetic Prince had raced clear but once balanced Rubiton charged after the 3yo reeling him in to win by a half length with Fair Sir third and Vo Rogue fourth. The tearaway leader Vo Rogue had set a fast pace early resulting in Rubiton running a course record of 2.02.9 for the 2040m.

A week later he backed up in the Mackinnon Stakes and with only three genuine weight for age horses in the race he was expected to win easily.  From exposed form the race was expected to be dominated by Rubiton with King of Brooklyn and Military Plume the only others to be given a hope as most other runners were in their final lead up runs to the Melbourne Cup the following Tuesday. Palmyra Bay led early from King of Brooklyn followed by Rubiton then Damzelle. King of Brooklyn took over from the 1600m from Palmyra Bay and Rubiton who had been racing keenly early but soon settled into an even stride. Passing the 1000m King of Brooklyn led by 2 lengths from Rubiton with 3 lengths to Palmyra Bay then Military Plume. Around the turn King of Brooklyn led Rubiton as Military Plume made ground followed by Drought. On straightening King of Brooklyn held the front by 2 lengths from Rubiton and Military Plume who were chasing hard. Passing the 150m Rubiton joined King of Brooklyn but the latter was fighting back hard as Military Plume moved up on the outside. The riders of King of Brooklyn and Military Plume went for the whip as Harry White stuck to hands and heels on Rubiton as the three horses fought tooth and nail in the run to the line. Rubiton inched to a half neck advantage over the concluding stages to win from King of Brooklyn with Military Plume third and a gap
to the rest of the field.

Rubiton returned to South Australia for a spell in the Adelaide Hills before he was returned to training for a tilt at the William Reid Stakes. A track gallop with sprinters Lockley’s Daughter and Lockley’s Tradition was organised for early January at Victoria Park racecourse. In the days leading up to the raceday appearance Rubiton was found in his box with a tendon injury when trainer Pat Barns gave him a lunchtime feed.  Thoughts at the time were that he may have become cast during the morning and injured himself trying to get up. The injury ended the stallions career but he was still able to appear at Victoria Park a gesture appreciated by all Adelaide race fans. With his leg heavily bandaged Rubiton was walked in mounting yard before Harry White was legged up and the great horse was walked down to the pre track parade area (which no longer exists at Victoria Park but was in front of the members stand) before returning to the mounting yard as Lockley’s Tradition and Lockley’s Daughter completed their gallop.

Rubiton began his stud career at Transmedia Park Stud at Cootamundra in Spring 1988 after Mike Willessee had bought a quarter share the previous spring. When the stud was disbanded in 1995 Rubiton was moved to Blue Gum Farm in Victoria where he now stands and is often described as one of the best value sires available.

During his stud career his has sired the winners of over 32 million including over 29 stakeswinners and 21 stakesplacegetters. He has sired over 500 to race for over 340 winners with a strike rate of over 65%.  So far his best galloper has been the Cox Plate Champion Fields of Omagh but is he also the sire of the outstanding performers Flavour, sprinter/miler Adam, multiple international winner Monopolize, South African stakeswinner Ruby Clipper, Innovation Girl, Dilly Dally, Patezza, Rubitano, Millrich, Flak Jacket, Rubidium, Rubicall, Royal Rubiton, illfated Cubiton etc. He is the broodmare sire of stakeswinners such as Dash For Cash (now starting his stud career), Danerich, Calming, King of Danes, Great Glen, Bellton, etc His only sons at stud so far are the stakeswinner Adam and the talented galloper Buriton but he has still has many promising horses early in their racing careers. Interestingly all Rubiton's foals tend to be brown or dark bay with little or no markings with a handful of greys the only exceptions.

Rubiton, aged 22, was put down on November 19 2005 due to an infection of the Coffin Bone that took hold of his system, the same day his talented son Stamen was a fighting second in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.

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