Historical information

"Although horse breeding and racing was an established and popular tradition in the district by the 1900s, one horse is credited with raising the profile of the industry in Melton during this period. The Welkin was bred in England and brought to Melton in 1910 as the foundation sire of
Ernest Clarke’s Melton stud. Clarke, brother of Sir Rupert, enjoyed remarkable success with his champion stallion. By the time of the horse’s death in 1925, The Welkin had sired individual winners, with total winnings of almost £600,000. His most celebrated offspring, Gloaming,
achieved 57 wins from 67 starts and won a then-record of £86,000 in prize money. The Welkin was buried at the entry gates to Clarke’s Melton stud under an inscribed marble headstone, as the racing world mourned the loss of ‘one of the most successful sires that ever did stud duty in
Australia".

Physical description

Articles about Welkin the Champ featured in The Mail Express and Melton Express