Golden Slipper in Ozz

We saffers made little fuss over this race held last weekend because we only get to see the off beat ozzie fair from lesser tracks. The race is the richest 2yr old event in the world.

Since 1957 the Golden Slipper has been one of the most illustrious events held in Australia. It’s no surprise then that some of the most legendary horses, trainers and jockeys have tasted success on the hallowed Rosehill Gardens turf. The fact the race is specifically for two-year-olds adds a special flavour and extra incentive to the event. It means horses only have one chance, the single opportunity to perform at 100 percent or that shot is lost forever. Winners of the Golden Slipper then are a special breed of horses who have handled the pressure of big crowds and roaring atmosphere to go on with the job.

There’s no doubt the Golden Slipper is on the wish list of every trainer in the country, but just getting a runner in the Slipper is an impressive effort. Not surprisingly then no single trainer can lay claim to truly dominating the event. Some very credible efforts have been made though including T.J Smith who trained a record six winners ahead of his daughter Gai Waterhouse with now five .J.B. Cummings, C. Conners and L. Freedman with four each.

It is a similar story for the jockeys with a Golden Slipper sure to launch a career and set them up for future Group 1 glory. However again there hasn’t been a jockey able to firmly take hold of the Golden Slipper and lay claim to ‘best ever’. The most prolific winners to date are R. Quinton and S. Dye with four, shading M. Dittman, K. Langby and A. Mulley with three apiece. Only Two apprentices have ever won the Golden Slipper Stakes, W. Harris and a young D. Beadman.

Last year the Lohnro colt Piero won it for Gai Waterhouse and she repeated a win this year with the race favourite a filly by Exeed and Exel called Overreach. She now lays claim to 5 Golden Slipper winners and is destined to eclipse the record set by her father and lay claim to the race as her own.

The immortal Todman won the first ever Golden Slipper in 1957. He was sired by Star Kingdom who amazingly went on to sire the next four winners of the Golden Slipper. In fact his breeding lines can still be traced right through to many of today’s champions.