Racing, Boxing and Golfing Activities
In 1892 Wren established an illegal totalisator (betting shop) behind a tobacconist's shop in Johnston St, Collingwood. The shop provided entry to a spacious wood yard at the rear, which was heavily fortified preventing easy access by the authorities. The betting model he employed for delivering transparent odds to his clients was adopted from George Adams's successful Tattersalls totalisator venture. The Collingwood tote made Wren a rich man and also gave him political influence in the inner suburbs. In 1905 he inherited the running of business interests in pony and horse racing from another Collingwood identity, and later made further expansions into gambling, cinemas, goldmining, newspaper publishing, and professional cycling. He subsequently had a role in the establishment of Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne, which competed with the Victoria Racing Club's course at Flemington.
Wren became best known as a boxing promoter and through this success he was able to establish the Stadiums Limited organisation, which acquired venues in most major Australian capitals, including Sydney Stadium, Festival Hall, Melbourne and Festival Hall, Brisbane.
Wren, along with promoters Snowy Baker and Hugh D. McIntosh, was accused of using his influence to prevent the great young Australian boxer Les Darcy from fighting in America, where he had fled at the end of 1916 to earn money to support his family (according to Darcy) before he would serve in WWI. To quote Greg Growden : "All three realised their meal ticket had dudded them... Wren telegrammed Baker stating he would make certain Darcy was blackbanned in America.". In contrast, James Griffin in "Australian Dictionary of Biography" states : "Locals were discouraged from seeking world titles abroad, but Wren had no part in Les Darcy's nemesis". Griffin also points out that Darcy departed the day before the 1916 conscription referendum (which Wren supported). This illustrates the controversy surrounding John Wren's affairs.
A side from his Racing and boxing interests, Wren had a keen passion for Golf. A keen amateur, the highlight of Wren's golfing achievements came when he destroyed the field and managed to win the big one. To quote long term rival Daniel Lay following Wrens victory at Top Golf; 'John Wren is everything i'm not, i'm never going to win the big one'. Showing how Wren had the ability to compete at the highest of levels.
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