Rio Grande's Last Race


Rio Grande's Last Race is a racing poem by Australian writer and poet Andrew Barton "Banjo" Paterson. It was first published in the London Sketch magazine on 16 December 1896. It was later published as the title poem for Paterson's second poetry collection, Rio Grande's Last Race and Other Verses, in 1902.
The poem was one of Paterson's favourites, and its theme of a jockey's premonition of death is unusual for the poet.

Plot summary

Jack Macpherson, the only jockey with the ability and "hands to hold/The rushing Rio Grande", sits in the stands and retells the story of his dream. He dreamt that he was surrounded before the race by horses and riders, all dead, who told him how to ride Rio Grande that day. But the race was to end in tragedy with horse and rider both dying.

Further publications