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Hart was born in Beechworth to Irish immigrant parents Richard and Bridget Hart (née Young). He was their second son. His family consisted of his brothers Richard 'Dick' Hart (Jr.), Hugh Hart and Thomas Hart, and sisters Esther 'Ettie' Hart, Jane Hart and Winifred Hart.
Hart was a sometime jockey around Beechworth and Wangratta and was reported to win 'The Benella Handicap' after a protest was upheld. It was rumoured that he rode around in feminine attire and rode sidesaddle to avoid detection. ([Link removed - login to see]
In 1877, Hart was convicted of horse theft and illegal use of a horse and sentenced to 12 months h
Hart was born in Beechworth to Irish immigrant parents Richard and Bridget Hart (née Young). He was their second son. His family consisted of his brothers Richard 'Dick' Hart (Jr.), Hugh Hart and Thomas Hart, and sisters Esther 'Ettie' Hart, Jane Hart and Winifred Hart.
Hart was a sometime jockey around Beechworth and Wangratta and was reported to win 'The Benella Handicap' after a protest was upheld. It was rumoured that he rode around in feminine attire and rode sidesaddle to avoid detection. ([Link removed - login to see]
In 1877, Hart was convicted of horse theft and illegal use of a horse and sentenced to 12 months hard labour in Beechworth Gaol. When he was released with the usual remission period he promised to work, and he kept his promise—seeing as he never specified where he would work. One of the Kelly brothers (most likely Dan, as he and Hart were friends and had likely met in gaol at some point) came to his property and asked him to help them pan for gold. This prompted Hart's most famous quote, "Here's to a short life and a merry one!" as he rode off to Bullock Creek to help the Kelly brothers and their friend Joe Byrne pan for gold.
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