Racing Saddle, 1955
L2011.2
Family
This saddle belonged to Merv Maynard, a talented Aboriginal jockey who raced between 1948 and 1994. Merv’s father, Fred Maynard founded the Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association in 1924 and is credited with starting organised Aboriginal political activism in Australia. Merv’s son Professor John Maynard is one of Australia's most prolific writers on Aboriginal history, highlighting the overlooked but important contribution of Aboriginal people to Australian politics, industry, and sports.Jockey
This is Worimi man Merv Maynard’s racing saddle. Merv was born in 1932 and as a boy spent his spare time watching horse training through a hole in the fence of Canterbury racecourse. This led to him being offered a jockey apprenticeship. He rode his first winner at the age of 17 and went on to record over 1500 winners by the time he retired at the age of 66.Racing
This is a racing saddle. The sport of horse racing was introduced to Australia by British colonisers and was well established in and around Sydney by 1810. Clubs and courses were developed across the continent throughout the 19th century. The sport’s popularity continued into the 20th century and today Australia has more racecourses than any other nation.Fame
This is Merv Maynard’s racing saddle. Maynard was inducted into the Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of his career as a talented and successful jockey. The Hall of Fame was established in 1994 and aims to inspire youth through exhibitions and publications exploring the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sportspeople. There were 276 members of the Hall of Fame by 2018.
Racing Saddle, 1955
L2011.2
Family
This saddle belonged to Merv
Maynard, a talented Aboriginal jockey
who raced between 1948 and 1994.
Merv’s father, Fred Maynard founded
the Australian Aboriginal Progressive
Association in 1924 and is credited
with starting organised Aboriginal
political activism in Australia.
Merv’s son Professor John Maynard is
one of Australia's most prolific writers
on Aboriginal history, highlighting the
overlooked but important contribution
of Aboriginal people to Australian
politics, industry, and sports.
Jockey
This is Worimi man Merv Maynard’s
racing saddle. Merv was born in 1932
and as a boy spent his spare time
watching horse training through a hole
in the fence of Canterbury racecourse.
This led to him being offered a jockey
apprenticeship. He rode his first
winner at the age of 17 and went on to
record over 1500 winners by the time
he retired at the age of 66.
Racing
This is a racing saddle. The sport of
horse racing was introduced to
Australia by British colonisers and was
well established in and around Sydney
by 1810. Clubs and courses were
developed across the continent
throughout the 19th century.
The sport’s popularity continued into
the 20th century and today Australia
has more racecourses than any other
nation.
Fame
This is Merv Maynard’s racing saddle.
Maynard was inducted into the
Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of
Fame in recognition of his career as
a talented and successful jockey.
The Hall of Fame was established in
1994 and aims to inspire youth
through exhibitions and publications
exploring the achievements of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
sportspeople. There were 276
members of the Hall of Fame by 2018.
