The world’s richest two-year-old race, the $5 million Golden Slipper, will be run this Saturday at Rosehill Gardens. If you haven’t been feeling nostalgic and reminiscing about past editions of the race this week then frankly, are you really a racing fan?
It’s been a hot topic in the Ladbrokes office over the last few days, so we’ve taken a trip down memory lane with our Top 10 Golden Slipper winners.
10. Todman (1957)
There is only one way to start any Golden Slipper list and that’s where it all began in 1957 with Todman. The son of Star Kingdom won on debut in the summer of 1956 by 10 lengths before comfortably defeating his rivals at his second start.
With the Golden Slipper in mind, trainer Maurice McCarten spelled him after those runs and amazingly made the decision to test him first-up in an Open Welter over 1200m which he won.
Given how easily he defeated the older horses, it came as no surprise to see him brain his own age by eight lengths in the Golden Slipper at his next start.
The Sydney Turf Club as they were known at the time, were truly blessed to have a champion win their inaugural Golden Slipper. It gave the race immediate credibility.
Todman finished his career with a record of 10 wins from twelve starts and went onto have an amazing career at stud that including siring Golden Slipper winners Eskimo Prince (1964) and Sweet Embrace (1967).
9. Bint Marscay (1993)
Bint Marscay was the first of four consecutive Golden Slipper titles that trainer Lee Freedman won. She was brilliant as a two-year-old but entered 1993 Slipper calculations late when she debuted with an impressive win in the Kindergarten Stakes which was held just two months before the main event.
The chestnut filly then finished second in the Sweet Embrace Stakes before easily winning the Magic Night Stakes. However, it was her win in the Golden Slipper that stamped her as a champion two-year-old.
Drawing barrier 14 in the field of 16, jockey Mick Dittman was able to drive forward and settle outside the lead. When they hit the straight, she let down strongly to win in brilliant fashion.
Adding to the merit of the win was the fact that she had troubles with her shins that caused her discomfort but was able to rise to the occasion.
Danzero (1994), Flying Spur (1995) and Merlene (1996) were Lee Freedman’s other Golden Slipper winners and the mention of their names wil no doubt stir fond memories for some of our readers.
8. Sebring (2008)
Sebring had a short but brilliant career, winning five of six races all as a two-year-old.
After winning his first three races, the Gai Waterhouse-trained More Than Ready colt started favourite in the 2008 Golden Slipper but things didn’t go to plan when he missed the start and came out last.
Just as he had on Golden Spur, Ladbrokes own Glen Boss capitalised on another jockey’s misfortune and scored the ride on Sebring when regular hoop Blake Shinn was suspended. ‘Bossy’ saved ground and improved along the fence to be midfield in the run, however that presented a lack of room when entering the straight. With the field fanning wide, Boss was able to stay on the inside before getting a glorious run to fight out the finish with Von Costa De Hero which he ultimately won by a head.
Sebring went on to win the Sires’ Produce before agonisingly going down by a nose in the Champagne Stakes to thwart his tilt at the Triple Crown.
The stunning chestnut was then retired to a successful career at stud.
7. Dance Hero (2004)
It’s been over 20 years since Dance Hero won the 2004 Golden Slipper, yet he still holds the race record.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained son of Golden Slipper winner Danzero, stamped himself as a serious contender when he won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic just a few months prior. He continued that hot form right through to the Golden Slipper.
Aided by a classic Chris Munce front-running ride, he broke his more fancied rivals, Charge Forward and Alinghi’s hearts with sustained speed. When he applied the pressure with a furlong to go, they couldn’t get past him, and he held on for a head win.
Dance Hero went on to complete the Sydney Two-Year-Old Triple Crown.
6. Sepoy (2011)
Sepoy is the last horse to complete the Blue Diamond Stakes/Golden Slipper double. A feat that has only been accomplished by five horses.
The Peter Snowden-trained colt bounced back from a shock loss in the Todman Stakes as a $1.18 favourite to dominantly win the 2011 Golden Slipper thanks to a copy book Kerrin McEvoy ride. The talented hoop settled in the box seat before putting his rivals to the sword with a furlong to go and dash clear for an easy two length win.
His stellar career continued as a three-year-old where he won each of his five Spring Carnival races including the Group 1 Manikato and Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Sepoy’s exploits probably aren’t given the credit they deserve but watching his Golden Slipper again reiterates how good he truly was.
5. Calaway Gal (2002)
As a Queenslander, Calaway Gal’s win in the 2002 Golden Slipper sits high in my favourite memories of the time-honoured feature as she was the first horse from the Sunshine State to achieve the feat.
The Clang filly started her career in scintillating fashion with four easy front-running wins in Queensland. Trainer Bruce Brown produced a masterstroke when he took her to Sydney and directed Scott Seamer to settle back in the Sweet Embrace Stakes and Magic Night Stakes where she placed on both occasions.
Teaching her to settle paid the ultimate dividend in the Golden Slipper where Seamer was able to let the speed go and settled midfield. She let down powerfully to run down Victory Vein and claim the win by 1.3 lengths in one of the fastest ever Golden Slipper times.
Phelan Ready became just the second Queensland horse to win the Golden Slipper when he stormed home from the back to win the 2009 edition in emphatic fashion.
4. Vain (1969)
Vain started his career in amazing style, winning his first four starts in Melbourne before venturing north for the Golden Slipper. The 1969 edition was billed as a match race between Vain and Sydney’s best two-year-old, Special Girl and given no Victorian horse had previously won the race, he started at the generous price of 9/2.
However, nothing could have been further from the truth. It was a one-act affair from the time Vain exploded out of the gates to comfortably lead before running his rivals ragged for a four-length victory eased down.
As a three-year-old, Vain completed the amazing feat of winning three races during the Melbourne Spring Carnival. These being a 12-length demolition job in the Craven A Stakes on Derby Day, the Linlithgow Stakes on Oaks Day and the George Adams Handicap on the final day.
Like Todman, Vain would have a successful career as a stallion and sired Golden Slipper winners Sir Dapper (1983) and Inspired (1984).
3. Luskin Star (1977)
Few horses have announced their arrival louder than Luskin Star. The Newcastle sprinter debuted in the 1976 Breeders Plate and promptly put his rivals to the sword to the tune of 12 lengths. He then won the STC Silver Slipper comfortably before a heavy track saw in the Northern Slipper saw him defeated for the only time in 10 starts as a two-year-old.
That defeat would allow punters to get 11/4 for Luskin Star in the Golden Slipper, the last time he would start above even odds. ‘The Colt from the Coalfields’ produced one of the best turns of foot you will ever see when within the space of a few strides he put Blazing Saddles away and dashed clear to win by seven lengths in race record time.
Luskin Star went on to become just the second horse to win the Sydney Two-Year-Old Triple Crown as well as the QTC Sires’ Produce and Marlboro Stakes which is now known as the J.J. Atkins. An incredible training feat by Max Lees that would see the conditioner go from unknown to much revered.
With eight wins, five at Group 1 level, from nine starts it’s hard not to argue that Luskin Star is the greatest two-year-old to have raced in Australia.
2. Pierro (2012)
Gai Waterhouse famously declared Pierro would win the 2012 Golden Slipper following his impressive debut win in the Breeders Plate.
The First Lady of Australian Racing is rarely wrong, and she was proven correct six months later when the Lonhro colt proved too strong in the Golden Slipper. Nash Rawiller gave Pierro a beautiful run from the inside gate, settling just behind the lead. Snitzerland gave a kick in front and put a couple lengths on the field, but Pierro had a tremendous will to win. He caught the leader with a 100m to go before driving clear for a neck victory.
Pierro enjoyed a magnificent career, winning the Two-Year-Old Triple Crown before winning three Group 1s, the Caulfield Guineas, Canterbury Stakes and George Ryder Stakes, as a three-year-old.
Success followed the champion to the breeding barn where he has continued to produce G1 wins.
1. Belle Du Jour (2000)
When the Golden Slipper is mentioned, Belle Du Jour’s miraculous win in 2000 is probably the first thing that comes to mind for most people.
Disaster struck when the gates crashed back with the Clarry Conners-trained filly bounding high in the air and nearly displacing Lenny Beasley. The rodeo incident saw Bell Du Jour settle a long last.
The daughter of Dehere was still last as they entered the run home and things looked grim. However, Beasley miraculously weaved a passage through the pack before getting clear air with a furlong to go at which point she sprouted wings to charge to the line and win in the final stride.
Her owner John Singleton famously shouted the public bar following the win which only adds to the legendary status of Belle Du Jour’s 2000 Golden Slipper win.