He was born in Torwood, a small hamlet or an estate just off the A9 highway and about 3 miles from Larbert which is near Falkirk in Scotland in 1839. The exact date has not yet been found in the Scottish Old Parochial Records. His parents were James Morrison who was a horse trainer (probably on the estate) and Margaret Leckie. They were married in Polmont, in the parish of Stirling. There was at least one elder sister, Margaret who was born in 1825.
In latter years his autobiography was written in the book, VICTORIA AND METROPOLIS 1888 and in the flowery style of writing of that era describes his early training.
His association with racehorses and the saddle dates almost from the cradle, his preparatory lessons having being administered by his father Mr. James Morrison an owner and enthusiast. His first connection with an employer began in 1851 when he entered the services of Mr. Halliwell of Gillon near Edinburugh and during this period he made his debut in the saddle as a jockey for Sir James Boswell and Mr. Murray of Glasgow. Five years later (1856) he was figuring in France for Count Pride. For him he was to have ridden in the French Derby but arrived too late to fulfil the engagement. Shortly after he entered the stable of the celebrated Thomas Jennings under whose supervision he received the modelling lessons of his profession. Mr. Morrison next linked his fortunes to the famous Count Lagrange's stable which then possessed such animals as Monarque, Mademoiselle de Chantilly etc. With the last named he scored several success in France. In 1858 Mr. Morrison journeyed to Baden Baden where he rode Glorieux in the 14000 francs prize into second place, but on the following day he steered the same horse to victory in the 6000 franc event.
Upon returning to England he was determined to visit Australia and in 1859 he carried out his intention and landed in Victoria (arrived 10 April 1859 in the sailing ship Beechworth which was then leased to the White Star Line which later merged with other lines to form the Cunard line. William Train was the Captain. He came as an unassisted immigrant and travelled steerage. At this time before the faster clipper ships were developed the voyage out would take around 10 weeks). It is not known why he decided to come to Australia but due to the discovery of gold a few years earlier Australia was attracting a large number of immigrants and was experiencing a very profitable period of growth. The Falkirk area at this time was also experiencing a prosperous period due to the Industrial Revolution and as two major canals met at Falkirk it became an important centre for the iron and steel industry. So it was not the poor economic conditions which caused him to leave Scotland to seek his fortune elsewhere, as other ancestors had to.
Upon returning to England he was determined to visit Australia and in 1859 he carried out his intention and landed in Victoria (arrived 10 April 1859 in the sailing ship Beechworth which was then leased to the White Star Line which later merged with other lines to form the Cunard line. William Train was the Captain. He came as an unassisted immigrant and travelled steerage. At this time before the faster clipper ships were developed the voyage out would take around 10 weeks). It is not known why he decided to come to Australia but due to the discovery of gold a few years earlier Australia was attracting a large number of immigrants and was experiencing a very profitable period of growth. The Falkirk area at this time was also experiencing a prosperous period due to the Industrial Revolution and as two major canals met at Falkirk it became an important centre for the iron and steel industry. So it was not the poor economic conditions which caused him to leave Scotland to seek his fortune elsewhere, as other ancestors had to.
Painting at Gellibrand, Melbourne with the pilot boat rowing out to meet the ships. The "Red Jacket" is on the right and it was a sister ship to the Beechworth.
He immediately entered the service of Mr. Mckenzie of North Melbourne for who he trained and rode several winners. His colonial career is associated with such equine celebrities as Despatch, Mormon, Flying Buck, Falcon, Fishhook and his connection with the owner of the last named (Mr. C. Fisher) was signalised by many successes. An accident when he was riding Chester in the Melbourne Cup terminated his career in the saddle and since then he has allied himself closely to the preparation of thoroughbreds, such winners as Hyacinth, Commotion, Wellington, Reginald etc. having been turned out by him. As a trainer and a horseman Mr. Morrison has already figured in the foremost rank and his happy state of independence is traceable to essentials possessed by few of his profession in a more pronounced degree.
After riding for Mr. McKenzie he was associated with Mr. Fisher of Maribyrnong for some years and rode a number of winning races for him. He was also chief rider for Mr. Dowling of Caulfield. Mr Morrison in 1860 rode the celebrated Flying Buck for Mr. W. C. Yuille and won the second St. Ledger for him. This horse won the first Champion Stakes ever run in Australia. Since his arrival in the colonies the subject of this notice has taken high rank as a trainer and a jockey. In the saddle he is a first rate artist and his integrity is unimpeachable.
The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s major annual thoroughbred horse race. Billed as The race that stops a nation, it is for three-year-olds and over, and covers a distance of 3,200 metres. It is generally regarded as the most prestigious "two-mile" handicap in the world. The event is held on the first Tuesday in November by the Victoria Racing Club on the Flemmington Racecourse in Melbourne. This day was traditionally only a public holiday within metropolitan Melbourne, but is now also observed as a holiday in the entire state of Victoria. The race was originally held over two miles (about 3,218 metres) but following the intoduction of the decimal system in the 1960s, the current race distance of 3,200 metres was established in 1972.
Photograph of Joseph Morrison. It is mounted on a plaque and would have been worn inside a brooch.
Painting of 1881 Melbourne Cup.He rode in the first few Melbourne Cups and his record was:
1861. Rode in the first Melbourne Cup unplaced. . (Sporting Globe 25-10-1939). “Three horses fell at the home turn - Twilight, Medora which were both destroyed, and Despatch which was ridden by Joe Morrison who had his left arm broken in two places.” The rider of Mormon claimed afterwards that he had been ‘inconvenienced by the fall and also the uneven cut of the grass which was at times a foot long and at others about three feet’.
Archer was the winner and at this time it had a very successful race record. The horse walked to Melbourne from its stable in Nowra, a distance of 800 kilometres, the journey would have taken several weeks.
1862. Came third on Camdem.
1863 Came fifth on Falcon.
1865. Rode Panic in the Melbourne Cup.(Sporting Globe 25-10-1939). It had been handicapped 10.0 stone. He got away with the leading bunch and held a leading position to the half mile where Morrison kicked him to the lead. Soon after he was joined by Toryboy, another aged runner who was in the race with 3 stone less than Panic. The two aged gallopers cleared away from the rest of the field and as the pair made the turn into the straight the crowd roared for Panic to win. The English horse answered Morrison's whip gamely but with his huge weight advantage Tomboy drew away over the last hundred yards to win by 2 lengths with Riverinna a further 3 lengths away.
1869 (Sporting Globe 25-10-1939.) Won the Melbourne Cup on Warrior.
1876. On 9 September the S.S. City of Melbourne sailed from Sydney to Melbourne crammed to capacity with passengers returning from the AJC Spring Meeting. It also had on board eleven racehorses in charge of trainer and leading jockey Joe Morrison. The horses included the favourite for the Melbourne Cup and other races such as the VRC Derby. On Sunday morning a strong southerly gale set in and as the ship was not far from Jervis Bay, Joe Morrison asked the ship's skipper Captain Paddle to take shelter or return to Sydney as the storm might endager the lives of the valuable horses in his care. Captain Paddle ignored his request and was determined to face the gale. Soon after passing Cape St. George the vessel shipped a number of heavy seas and the gale increased to hurricane force; the wheel was smashed and the binnacle was washed away, the ship at that time was going around like a top and being in danger of floundering.
As some of the horses had fallen, a temporary steering gear was fitted and the Captain decided to return to Sydney. He put the ship's head to the sea and it was at this moment that two of the horses were washed on to the deck and killed. Five other horses were drowned and another fell under the other horses and despite the efforts of Morrison and the other 2 jockeys, he was killed.
Only 2 horses survived out of the eleven. One was so far gone that it was not expected to live but constant rubbing by Morrison and plentiful doses of beer and gin kept him alive. When the ship reached Sydney on Tuesday he had to be carried ashore. He later had a distinguished career as a race horse and sire. This was the era of corrupt racing in which the bookmakers were suspect of playing a leading role. Following the death of the Cup favourite and several well backed runners the Melbourne bookmakers were thereby saved many thousands of pounds, and they presented a purse to Captain Paddle as a token of their appreciation of the part he played in the disaster.
1878 Melbourne Cup. Tom Kirk and Glengarry ran against Chester who fell, throwing his jockey Joe Morrison against a post. Morrison suffered a badly injured leg and never thoroughly recovered from the effects of the accident. Eleven years later he underwent an operation to straighten his leg but died on the operating table. As a result of his fall, the VRC built running rails at Flemington. Prior to this widely spaced posts had marked the track.
He married Harriet Puflett (born 1845 at Batesford, Geelong) on the19 November 1867 at the Puflett residence, Corio Street, Geelong. At this time her father, Thomas was the publican at the Bush Inn in Corio Street. They had 13 children.
Harriette Puflett Morrison born Flemington 8 September 1868, married John Nicolson in 1891 and died 15 May 1912 leaving her mother to bring up her four children. She was always called Cissie.
Joseph Morrison born Flemington 9 March 1870, died 20 March 1870.
James Morrison born Flemington 31 October 1872, died 31 October 1872.
Percy Puflett Morrison born Flemington 20 January 1874 died in India date unknown.
Joseph Morrison born Bagotville, Ascot Vale 16 October 1875 died 16 October 1875
Thomas Morrison born Bagotville, Ascot Vale 16 October 1875 died 16 October 1875.
Charles Puflett Morrison born Racecourse Williamstown 14 October 1876, died 10 November 1921, married May Olive Bolding (born Taradale 30 May 1882, died 20 February 1976) on 27 April 1905. My grandparents.
Herbert Joseph Morrison born Racecourse Williamstown, 17 July 1878, died July 1955, married Emily Kenrick (born 1876 Echuca, died 24 August 1915) on 11 July 1901.
Ruby Florence Morrison born 12 October 1880, died 1936, married Thomas Sutterby around 1920.
Ethel Annie Clarice Morrison born Bagotville 12 January 1883, died 21 August 1967 married David Houston Herald (born 30 January 1857 Emerald Hill, died 12 September 1933) on 7 August 1906.
Reginald Robert Morrison born Flemington, 20 February 1886, died around 1950, married Dorothy ___ date not known.
Leslie Norman Morrison born Bagotville 4 November 1888, died January 1889.
Any Morrison born Bagotville 4 November 1888 died 1 March 1889.
Wedding Certificate.
Harriet Morrison (Nee Puflett)
Herbert and Percy Morrison around 1894.
Harriet and daughter Harriette photo taken probably before Harriette was married in 1891.
After the accident in the 1878 Melbourne Cup, he was unable to continue as a jockey and instead worked as a trainer. His first stables were in Newmarket and the Post Office Directory 1872 shows him living next door to the Racecourse Hotel with saleyards and a tannery on the other side. The Victorian Railways purchased the land and it became part of the Newmarket marshalling yards for the railways. He then moved further out and in 1884 the Baillieres Directory gives his occupation as a trainer at Ascot Vale Road. There were several racetracks in the neighbourhood, Flemington and Ascot Vale where, after WWII, the Housing Commission Victoria resumed the land to build flats. By the 1880s this area started to develop when several large farms were broken up and the tram line was extended out to Essendon. .In 1882 the National Agricultural Society (later the Royal Agricultural Society) relocated its showgrounds from South Melbourne to 30 acres (12 ha) of government reserve on the northern edge of Flemington racecourse and they bought the area where his stables were. He then moved to 49 Leonard Crescent at the other side of the Flemmington Racecourse, this area was known as Bagotville. Sometime during the mid 1950’s this area was again taken over and it now covered by the car park for the Flemmington Racecourse Railway station.
All the sons followed their father and were licensed jockeys though with varying success. Herbert was the most successful winning the Caulfield Cup in 1891 and coming third in both 1894 and 1897 Melbourne Cups. While he was licensed as a trainer from 1900, he became a hotelier but when his wife became ill and later died, he went back to being a trainer full time and held his license until 1952. His stables were at 49 Leonard Crescent, he took over the property on the death of his mother.
Herbert, Percy and Reginald also spent some time in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) as jockeys. Herbert had some success but returned to Victoria, Reginald later became a starter there until World War 2 and went back there after the war working for the Jockey Club.
Joseph died on the 22 August 1889 and was buried 3 days later in the Melbourne General Cemetery. His death was reported in the local newspapers as such.
The news of the death of J. Morrison, well known on the turf, formerly as a jockey and lately as trainer, which is announced in our obituary column this morning, will be received with great regret by all racing men. Some years ago Morrison received a severe fracture of the leg while riding in a race and though the injury was duly attended to the limb never became thoroughly sound again, and lately it had been giving Morrison so much pain that, acting on the advice of the leading surgeons in the city he decided to undergo an operation. This duly took place but did not result so satisfactory as was wished, and Morrison was laid up for some time in Mr. Fitzgerald's private hospital. Recently his condition became critical but he seemed likely to get over the effects of the operation. However yesterday morning he took a turn for the worse and he expired at three o'clock in the afternoon.
For about 30 years Joseph Morrison was intimately and honourably associated with the sport of racing in this colony. Twenty five years ago he was the principal jockey in the stable of Mr. C.B. Fisher - the present Chairman of the Victoria Racing Club - when the Fisher stable was as much the leading one of the Australian Turf as Mr. James White is now.
As a jockey he was skilful, unassuming and straight forward and these traits of character, which were noticeable in him as a young man, were his through life. In 1866 Morrison rode his only Melbourne Cup winner, Warrior, for Mr. Austin Saqui, but for Mr. Dowling he rode in 1861 Camden,winner of the Derby. In the same race he also piloted Seagull to victory in 1866 and Charon in 1869 for Mr. Fisher. He rode the winners of the Oaks on three occasions, he being on Illumination in 1864, Seagull in 1866 and Sylvia in 1867. He rode three winners of the Ascot Vale Stakes - Sour Grapes in 1866, The Roe in 1870 and His Lordship in 1878. He also won the St. Ledger three times- on Flying Buck for Mr. W. C. Yuille in 1860, on Illumination in 1865 and on Fishhook in 1867.
Morrison was about equally successful at the meetings of the Australian Jockey Club at Randwick, where he rode Charon, Robinson Crusoe, Fenelta, Grand Prix and other horses, whose names are now historica,l to victory in the most important events ran there. He rode the winner of the AJC Derby on three occasions, winners of the Champagne Stakes four times and of the AJC St. Ledger twice. Latterly Morrison has been engaged in training horses and, though he was not what might be described as lucky, he achieved the success which so careful, intelligent and experienced a man he was must always achieve. He was closely identified in racing with the late Mr. Samuel Martin, whose death only occurred recently. Morrison, who was 50 years of age, leaves a widow and young family. His remains will be interred in the Melbourne General Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, the funeral leaving his late residence, Bagotville, Newmarket, at 3 o'clock.
The racehorse Pippo, which was the property of J. Morrison, whose death is recorded above, accidently killed himself yesterday morning. He threw his boy and in galloping about afterwards he ran into a fence and broke his neck. Pippo was a grey gelding, three years old, by Chester-Mascotte. It was bred by Mr. James White, and was bought after winning a selling race at Flemington by the late Mr. S. Martin. When the executors sold Mr. Martin's horses on July 22 Pippo was purchased by his trainer, Morrison for 450 guineas.
Details from local newspaper which did not show the date.
J Morrison, the well known trainer, died in Mr. Fitzgerald's private hospital yesterday. Morrison had recently underwent an operation that it had been found necessary to perform on his leg, which was very badly fractured in the Melbourne Cup, when Chester carried his rider against a post. The offending member has been a source of trouble and pain which Morrison has born unflinchingly for years, but it eventually became so unbearable that Mr. Fitzgerald decided to operate with a view to permanent relief. The patient, however never recovered from the shock of the operation, and gradually sank and died as stated yesterday afternoon. The funeral will leave the deceased's late residence, Bagotville, Newmarket, on Saturday next at 3 o'clock.
HERALD newspaper 23.8.1889.
All the sons followed their father and were licensed jockeys though with varying success. Herbert was the most successful winning the Caulfield Cup in 1891 and coming third in both 1894 and 1897 Melbourne Cups. While he was licensed as a trainer from 1900, he became a hotelier but when his wife became ill and later died, he went back to being a trainer full time and held his license until 1952. His stables were at 49 Leonard Crescent, he took over the property on the death of his mother.
Herbert, Percy and Reginald also spent some time in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) as jockeys. Herbert had some success but returned to Victoria, Reginald later became a starter there until World War 2 and went back there after the war working for the Jockey Club.
Joseph died on the 22 August 1889 and was buried 3 days later in the Melbourne General Cemetery. His death was reported in the local newspapers as such.
The news of the death of J. Morrison, well known on the turf, formerly as a jockey and lately as trainer, which is announced in our obituary column this morning, will be received with great regret by all racing men. Some years ago Morrison received a severe fracture of the leg while riding in a race and though the injury was duly attended to the limb never became thoroughly sound again, and lately it had been giving Morrison so much pain that, acting on the advice of the leading surgeons in the city he decided to undergo an operation. This duly took place but did not result so satisfactory as was wished, and Morrison was laid up for some time in Mr. Fitzgerald's private hospital. Recently his condition became critical but he seemed likely to get over the effects of the operation. However yesterday morning he took a turn for the worse and he expired at three o'clock in the afternoon.
For about 30 years Joseph Morrison was intimately and honourably associated with the sport of racing in this colony. Twenty five years ago he was the principal jockey in the stable of Mr. C.B. Fisher - the present Chairman of the Victoria Racing Club - when the Fisher stable was as much the leading one of the Australian Turf as Mr. James White is now.
As a jockey he was skilful, unassuming and straight forward and these traits of character, which were noticeable in him as a young man, were his through life. In 1866 Morrison rode his only Melbourne Cup winner, Warrior, for Mr. Austin Saqui, but for Mr. Dowling he rode in 1861 Camden,winner of the Derby. In the same race he also piloted Seagull to victory in 1866 and Charon in 1869 for Mr. Fisher. He rode the winners of the Oaks on three occasions, he being on Illumination in 1864, Seagull in 1866 and Sylvia in 1867. He rode three winners of the Ascot Vale Stakes - Sour Grapes in 1866, The Roe in 1870 and His Lordship in 1878. He also won the St. Ledger three times- on Flying Buck for Mr. W. C. Yuille in 1860, on Illumination in 1865 and on Fishhook in 1867.
Morrison was about equally successful at the meetings of the Australian Jockey Club at Randwick, where he rode Charon, Robinson Crusoe, Fenelta, Grand Prix and other horses, whose names are now historica,l to victory in the most important events ran there. He rode the winner of the AJC Derby on three occasions, winners of the Champagne Stakes four times and of the AJC St. Ledger twice. Latterly Morrison has been engaged in training horses and, though he was not what might be described as lucky, he achieved the success which so careful, intelligent and experienced a man he was must always achieve. He was closely identified in racing with the late Mr. Samuel Martin, whose death only occurred recently. Morrison, who was 50 years of age, leaves a widow and young family. His remains will be interred in the Melbourne General Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, the funeral leaving his late residence, Bagotville, Newmarket, at 3 o'clock.
The racehorse Pippo, which was the property of J. Morrison, whose death is recorded above, accidently killed himself yesterday morning. He threw his boy and in galloping about afterwards he ran into a fence and broke his neck. Pippo was a grey gelding, three years old, by Chester-Mascotte. It was bred by Mr. James White, and was bought after winning a selling race at Flemington by the late Mr. S. Martin. When the executors sold Mr. Martin's horses on July 22 Pippo was purchased by his trainer, Morrison for 450 guineas.
Details from local newspaper which did not show the date.
J Morrison, the well known trainer, died in Mr. Fitzgerald's private hospital yesterday. Morrison had recently underwent an operation that it had been found necessary to perform on his leg, which was very badly fractured in the Melbourne Cup, when Chester carried his rider against a post. The offending member has been a source of trouble and pain which Morrison has born unflinchingly for years, but it eventually became so unbearable that Mr. Fitzgerald decided to operate with a view to permanent relief. The patient, however never recovered from the shock of the operation, and gradually sank and died as stated yesterday afternoon. The funeral will leave the deceased's late residence, Bagotville, Newmarket, on Saturday next at 3 o'clock.
HERALD newspaper 23.8.1889.
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