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Patrick Hamilton (Pat) Osborne (1869–1953)

Mr. P. H. [Patrick Hamilton] Osborne, of "Willeroo," near Tarago, a member of one of the State's oldest and best known pioneering families, died in a private hospital in Sydney yesterday.

Mr. Osborne, who was aged 84 years, was one of the best known figures in Australian racing. He retired from the Australian Jockey Club committee at the annual meeting recently, with the record for the longest service as a committeeman.

He was a descendent of Henry and Sarah Osborne, who have been mentioned in records of the State's history as pioneers of the Goulburn and Illawarra areas.

Mr. Osborne's property, "Willeroo," was purchased by his father in 1894 from the Coopers, who are said to have been the first white settlers at Lake George.

The grant for "Willeroo" was given in 1825, making it one of the oldest stations in the State. "Willeroo" was handed down t0 Mr. Osbcorne by his father in 1908.

In recent years a considerable area of the land was sub-divided for soldier' settlement blocks, but a large portion of the station still remains in the hands of the Osborne family.

It was at "Willeroo" that Mr. Osborne established his racing stud, which became one of the most famous and successful in Australia. He was the owner of the famous mare, "Valicare" which was to-day described by local racehorse owner, Mr. A. I. Maple-Brown, as one of the greatest mares Australia had ever seen.

Horses from Mr. Osborne's stud have won some of the greatest races in Australia. The success of the stud has not faded. Recently one of the younger products of "Willeroo", First Century, broke the course record at Warwick Farm.

Mr. Osborne also took an interest in local racing and was patron of the Goulburn Turf Club from its inauguration.

As a prominent member of the A.J.C., Mr. Osborne was a well known figure on the principal Australian racecourses.

He devoted a considerable amount of his time to the interests of Australian racing over many years. At the same time, he took a great amount of interest in the furtherance of the district in which he lived and was prominent in moves for the advancement of the Tarago and Bungendore areas.

He took a considerable interest in stock breeding and at one time had his own sheep stud at "Willeroo."

His home at "Willeroo" was one of the landmarks among colonial homesteads in the State and has been a strong source of interest to the historian.

Mr Osborne founded his sheep stud with a flock of Romneys brought to "Willeroo" from England. The stud was successful in many of the State's shows.

He had no children.

Original publication

Additional Resources

Citation details

'Osborne, Patrick Hamilton (Pat) (1869–1953)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/osborne-patrick-hamilton-pat-22085/text32028, accessed 28 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

4 June, 1869
New South Wales, Australia

Death

12 October, 1953 (aged 84)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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