Horse Bazaars
From Waler Data Base @FaceBook. Image: At Campbell And Son’s Bazaar, Melbourne, Australasian 8th Sept 1905.
Horse bazaars were once the place to be seen. They did a multitude of horse services, primarily sales. Some held a weekly sale, some monthly. Horses imported from Britain and India were taken straight from the boat to a reputable Bazaar to be auctioned – Hackneys, Oldenburgs, Welsh Ponies, Coachers, you name it.
Saddleries, farriers, vehicle makers, vets, breakers and other services set up in the same premises or nearby. Vehicles were sold and paraded. Breakers showed their skills. In early Spring, stallion parades were held so people could book a service for their mare after inspecting likely sires. Ponies, draughts, carriage horses, all sorts. Many station horses sold, unbroken, most for India.
‘Tattersall’s Horse Bazaar, Melbourne, John Black, proprietor [picture] / S.T.G.’ 1856. National Library of Australia.
Horse bazaars were huge. Sales were held regularly, stallion parades in spring; and saddlers, feed merchants, farriers, carriage makers, anything to do with horses had premises there. Coffee palaces, boxing saloons (it was very fashionable) and driving and riding apparel.
The bazaar was the place to be seen, and the place to show off your horses. Horses could be baited (fed) and stabled while you were in town, and horses hired either for hacks or harness for those requiring them. Men always hung about the bazaar chatting and enjoying the ambience. Good horses were admired, and their points discussed. No doubt vehicles too.
Many started small but grew to being substantial buildings. Australian horse bazaars were world-famous, many men came straight off the boat to attend one and buy themselves a prime bit of horseflesh. Every town had one or more horse bazaars and there were dozens in our cities.
‘Ruthven Street showing a number of business premises. The names of the stores facing the street are visible and clearly identify the following buildings: R. J. Barry’s Saddlery, Tattersall’s Horse Bazaar, and T. G. Robinson Auctioneer. ‘ 1873. State Library Qld.
Queensland Figaro and Punch, 26th June 1886
‘Herberton, Queensland 1891 showing E.H. Hosien saddler, Cobb & Co. booking office and Herberton Sale Rooms, Horse Bazaar & Mining Exchange A.J.J. Warby auctioneer.’ Uni Qld e-space
