W.S. Cox Plate Legend - Kingston Town

“Kingston Town can’t win,” cried legendary race caller Bill Collins.

The jet-black son of Bletchingly looked gone on the famous Valley turn for home in the 1982 Cox Plate, seeking to create history and win his third successive edition of the race, an achievement never before seen.

For those watching, none would have disagreed with Collins that day. But you never discount champions, because they make you look like a fool and Collins was certainly not that.

Champions win one Cox Plate, legends win two, but three?

The 1980 Cox Plate was Kingston Town’s for the taking from early on in the race according to outspoken but brilliant jockey Mal Johnston who said, “I knew at the 1600m he was going to win and by the 800m I was wondering by how far.”

Approaching the turn, Kingston Town was poised behind the leaders, and when Johnston gave him some rein, he burst to the front and streaked away to win by five lengths, to the deafening roars of the Valley crowd. Sadly, the champion was found to be lame post-race with a strained suspensory ligament that would plague him for the rest of his career. For the legendary trainer, Tommy Smith to keep the horse sound and winning was an achievement in itself.

The 1981 Cox Plate saw Ron Quinton taking over the riding duties due to Johnston being suspended by stewards the week before. Kingston Town was sent out a 4/6 favourite but drew barrier one, not ideal for a big striding horse. In the race, Quinton’s worst fears were realised when Kingston Town became pocketed coming down the side past the 500-metre mark. Quinton new he was on the winner but that he just needed daylight, and while on the point of the turn, Silver Bounty wobbled and Kingston Town shot through, and the race all over in 50 metres.

The 1982 Cox Plate rolled around, and remarkably another jockey took over the reins, this time Peter Cook, replacing regular rider Johnston who was suspended for the 26th time in the lead-up for careless riding. Again, Kingston Town was the 7/4 favourite, and the crowd was heaving, waiting with bated breath to watch history created at The Valley on October 23, 1982.

Bill Collins, known as ‘The Accurate One’ and on that historic day he called it as he saw it, like every other race. But this wasn’t like every other race and in it, no ordinary racehorse.

Heading around the final turn and lengths off the leaders, Kingston Town wasn’t responding to the whip. “Kingston Town can’t win!” No sooner had Grosvenor gone to the front 200 metres out, Kingston Town put in three or four giant strides and reeled him in.

“He might win yet the Champ!” The King of The Valley had done it, creating history with three wins in a row, only recently being equalled and then beaten in 2018 by the champion mare Winx with an astonishing four Cox Plates. He still stands alone as the only three-time winner, an achievement that will forever have him remembered as an immortal.