| Delta | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sire | Midstream (GB) |
| Grandsire | Blandford (IRE) |
| Dam | Gazza (AUS) |
| Damsire | Magpie (GB) |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1946 |
| Country | Australia |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Percy MillerKia-Ora stud |
| Owner | Adolph Basser |
| Trainer | Maurice McCarten |
| Record | 41: 22, 6 , 2 |
| Earnings | £48,801[1] |
| Major wins | |
| Canterbury Guineas (1949) VRC Derby (1949) W S Cox Plate (1949) VRC St Leger (1950) VRC Kings Plate (1950) AJC Randwick Plate (1950) Colin Stephen Stakes (1950, 1951) Chelmsford Stakes (1950, 1951, 1952) Metropolitan Handicap (1951) Mackinnon Stakes (1951) Melbourne Cup (1951) St George Stakes (1952) VRC Queens Plate (1952) VRC Carbine Stakes (1952) Chipping Norton Stakes (1952) AJC Cumberland Stakes (1952) | |
| Honours | |
| Australian Racing Hall of Fame | |
Delta (1946–1960) was a champion Australianthoroughbredracehorse who raced from a two-year-old to a six-year-old from distances of 6 furlongs to 2 miles.[2] Champion jockeyNeville Sellwood won 22 races including the 1949VRC Derby, 1949Cox Plate and the 1951Melbourne Cup.Neville Sellwood was also the regular jockey of the championsTulloch andTodman.Purchased by owner Adolph Basser for £2,665 at the 1948Sydney yearling sales he was trained by former jockey and successful trainer Maurice McCarten.He died at Widden Stud in 1960.[3]
Delta by Midstream (GB) was bred by studmaster Percy Miller atKia-Ora studScone, New South Wales. Dam Gazza also produced classic winners Deep River 1952AJC Derby and Midway 1951VRC St Leger.
Delta raced between 1949 -1952 for five seasons winning 7 major races in succession between 1951 – 1952 including a rare triple win in theChelmsford Stakes also defeated the great championsHydrogen andDalray. As a six-year-old Delta defeated the championHydrogen in the 1952Chelmsford Stakes setting an Australasian record for the nine furlongs.[4] This was his last start as soon after injury problems forced his retirement.[5] Delta's racing colours were Brown and dark blue hoops, red cap.
Owner Sir Adolf Basser (1887 – 1964) was an optician, jeweller and philanthropist fromSydney was interested in scientific and medical research and in 1959 founded theBasser College, University of New South WalesKensington,Sydney.[6]
Delta's racing record: 41 starts for 22 wins, 6 seconds, 2 thirds.[7]
