George Bennet (pastoralist)
George Bennet | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1870 Victor Harbor, South Australia |
| Died | 1928-05-16 |
| Occupation(s) | Pastoralist, racehorse proprietor |
| Known for | Breeding Hereford stud cattle; owning and managing pastoral stations; breeding and racing thoroughbred horses |
George Bennet (1870 – 16 May 1928) was a prominent pastoralist and racehorse proprietor based in South Australia.
History
Born in Victor Harbor, George Bennet was the eldest child of George and Emily Bennet. When he turned 18, he joined his father and brother Albert at Macumba Station, where he took charge of managing the property’s affairs. Tragically, both his father and brother passed away under mysterious conditions at Macumba Station in December 1888.
Continuing his involvement in cattle management, Bennet began focusing on breeding Hereford stud cattle around 1898, achieving considerable success with awards across Victoria and South Australia. He was also involved in breeding Shorthorn bulls. In 1900, he came into possession of the Cecilia Creek station, having inherited it from James Allen, a previous occupant.
Bennet was once the proprietor of Allandale Station, which spanned approximately , located near Oodnadatta. This property eventually combined with Crown Point and Bond Springs stations under the Crown Pastoral Company, later acquired by Sir Sidney Kidman. Around 1917, Bennet acquired Tempe Downs, although his primary residence remained Allan Park in Edwardstown.
Racing
He was known for breeding and importing multiple thoroughbred racehorses from Britain, including notable names such as Lord Marco and Sir Marco. His distinguished racing stock featured horses like Homer, Scintillation, Radiant, Friar Perfect, Admirable Bob, Goodwood, Miss Neckersgat, Step Out, alongside Lord Marco and Sir Marco. Subsequent racers included Phaedo and Apollo. Bennet maintained extensive stables and a training track named Allan Park in Edwardstown, a facility formerly owned by Seth Ferry.
His significant racing accomplishments include:
- Winning the Tattersalls Cup in 1910 with Goodwood
- Securing the A.R.C. City Handicap in 1914 with Friar Perfect
- Capturing the Port Adelaide Cup on 26 December 1916 with Admirable Bob, trained by his brother-in-law Ike Reid
- Triumphing at the Birdwood Cup in Williamstown on 26 January 1920 with Colbert, under trainer M. Carmody
- Claiming victory in the Adelaide Cup on 9 May 1921 with Sir Marco, trained by R. S. Burgess
Death
While driving cattle from his Tempe Downs station to abattoirs in Adelaide alongside other drovers, Bennet suffered a sudden collapse and passed away. His final resting place is at Horseshoe Bend, situated approximately north of Oodnadatta.
Family
In 1901, George Bennet wed Margaret Josephine Hennessy. Their offspring comprised:
- (Emily) Dorothy Bennet (1903–1985)
- Allan George Bennet (1906–1983)
- Albert Bennet (1909–1976)
- Margaret Bennet (born 1907)
His siblings included Emily Bennet (1868–1871), Eva Bennet (born 1877), Gertie Bennet (born 1885), Albert Francis Bennet (1874–1888), and Arthur Bennet (born 1882).