somerled the horse

Somerled was a bay gelding racehorse.

Rob’s grandfather, Stephen Bowd from Mt Gambier, was a rural fellow and keen horseman.

The largest picnic racemeet in the Southern Hemisphere is held each Easter Weekend in Oakbank, a village about 5 minutes away from here.

These three factors came together in 1908, when Stephen raced Somerled in the Amateur Steeplechase. This race was held for those who weren’t professional jockeys, but who had significant skills in riding.

Stephen and Somerled came first by a matter of 20 lengths! Only two other horses managed to finish this arduous race, with the others pulling out at various stages.

The Advertiser reports that while Somerled came in first, and the second horse came in 20 lengths behind, the judges had to wait patiently in the box for the third and final horse to “eventually put in an appearance”!

Stephen won several sovereigns and a gold watch, but this was later dedicated to the war efforts.

Stephen himself was killed in World War I in Ypres, while fetching a bucket of water for his horse, according to Red Cross eyewitness accounts.

Rob, his sister Jill and his mother Bet never knew Stephen. But judging by those same accounts, he would have thoroughly approved of our bar – and its branding! 

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