APPROACHING THE END OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR THE AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE WERE PLANNING A MAJOR OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE TURKISH EMPIRE.

IN ORDER TO LULL THE ENEMY INTO BELIEVING NOTHING UNUSUAL WAS AFOOT,

A RACE MEETING WAS ORGANISED ON THE EVE OF THE ASSAULT.

The main race was called The Jericho Cup over 3 miles through the desert sands.

The winner was Bill the Bastard, probably Australia’s Greatest War Horse.

His exploits are detailed in the book Bill the Bastard by noted historian Professor Roland Perry.