Memorable Wins At The Golden Slipper Stakes

Saddle up and prepare for an Australian Autumn filled with two-year-old horses racing in one of the most thrilling 1200-metre sprints – the Golden Slipper Stakes. And what’s up for grabs? Almost a staggering $5 million.

Held under set weight conditions, the Golden Slipper Stakes is one of the major divisions in Australian horse racing. Yes, this race is more than just any event; it’s one of the big ones with sky-high stakes. This race, the brainchild of Sydney Turf Club’s chairman, George Ryder, was first run in 1957, with the original prize money sitting at 20,000 pounds.

What Should I Know About the Golden Slipper Stakes?
To get in on the action, this prestigious race will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2024, at the famous Rosehill Gardens. There have been more than a few equine stars made at this event, and the 2024 event promises nothing less than the best as the richest two-year-olds fight for first place and the staggering $5 million prize.

For the latest on the Golden Slipper Stakes, check out our page.

What Are Some Memorable Wins At The Golden Slipper Stakes?

Before we head into this exciting time and anticipate the upcoming winners of the Golden Slipper Stakes, let’s pay tribute to some of the most momentous wins in the history of this prestigious event.

Todman (1957) - The Golden Slipper Stakes, which definitely goes down in history as an unforgettable win. Todman, the champion, started off on the short odds and made the crowd go wild when he won by a whole 8 yards.

Sky High (1960) - Another groundbreaking win belongs to Sky High, the namesake of the Sky High Stakes. This phenomenal Thoroughbred took the victory in 1960 at six furlongs.

Vain (1969) - Next up came the first Victorian horse to take the title, Vain, in 1969. This breathtaking sprinter with Pat Hyland left 40,000 onlookers speechless with an explosive lead in the first 600 meters, which he covered in 33.9 seconds and won by four lengths.

Baguette (1970) - The following year, amongst the race’s strongest field, saw the victory go to Baguette. This was one of Baguette’s most notable wins, as his trainer, George Moore, bumped his way out of the pocket and sprinted to an easy victory.

Luskin Star (1977) - A two-year-old who stole titles and hearts in the Golden Slipper Stakes was Luskin Star in 1977. No one had heard of this colt, the trainer or the jockey, but once he took the lead, he made other champions, like Blazing Saddles, look third-rate.

Manikato (1978) - This chestnut took a phenomenal win in the Golden Slipper in 1978, which put him in the record books as he cleared the track and took the win.

Sir Dapper (1983) - It was a tight race, but Sir Dapper gave a brilliant performance when he took the leaders on the outside and raced away from the competition. This racehorse then left everyone in the dust.

Bounding Away (1986) - Bounding Away really stole the show in the 1986 Golden Slipper race for anyone who appreciates a nail-biter of a win. Bounding away narrowly took the lead and sprinted away within the last few seconds to grab the win.

Dance Hero (2004) - A victory that will forever be raved about is Dance Hero’s victory in 2004. The racehorse took a strong lead, held off Charge Forward and Alinghi in the final few strides, and won with an impressive time of just 1-8.60.

Pierro (2012)- This magnificent colt lived up to the expectations set by his trainer, Gai Waterhouse. He stormed the Golden Slipper to steal the victory from Snitzerland and the fan-favourite Samaready, winning $3.5 million.

How Can I Strategize for the 2024 Golden Slipper Stakes?

With the money, effort and training it takes to raise a champion, you’ve got to know that winning bets at the Golden Slipper Stakes takes just as much strategy. This event features the best of the best two-year-old sprinters and top performers.

Keep an eye on the top performers - a key performance indicator is how the horses compete in races before the Golden Slipper. These include the Reisling Stakes and the Todman Stakes, but this is still not a done deal.

Pick up on the trends - picking a winning horse is not all about speed; it’s about a proven track record. So, the victory might not always belong to the colts and gelding, as fillies have recently taken the stakes by storm.