Manikato
Encyclopedia
Manikato was a champion Australian Thoroughbred
racehorse of the late 1970s and early 1980s. He established new track records in three races and was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame
. Manikato was the second Australian horse, after Kingston Town
, to win $1 million in stakes, and, by today's standards, won 11 races which were shortly afterwards classed as Group One
s (G1) races.
He was a tall, heavily topped chestnut gelding by the VRC Newmarket Handicap winner Manihi from Markato by Natural Bid (USA). Markato was the dam of eight named foals, but Manikato was her only stakes-winner. Costing only A$3,500, Manikato had a double cross of Fair Trial in the fourth generation (4m x 4f) and was a descendant of Nearco
through his dam.
victory. His brother Bob Hoysted took over his training subsequently.
and Golden Slipper Stakes double.
Manikato commenced the season with a win in the Ascot Vale Stakes
in record time. Three weeks later he started against older horses in the Marlboro Cup which he also won. In the Caulfield Guineas
Manikato defeated Karaman by about two lengths after a protest against him was dismissed, but his jockey Gary Willetts was suspended.
He then started in the Craven A Stakes (now known as the Salinger Stakes) but had a slight rise in temperature on the day of the race. Manikato was defeated in this race by Always Welcome by the margin of a neck.
After being spelled Manikato won his the first of his five victories in the William Reid Stakes on 29 January 1979. The C F Orr Stakes
at Sandown was Manikato’s next start and another victory. His win the Futurity Stakes
was the first of four wins that he had in this race. Manikato next started in the George Ryder Stakes
and won it by six lengths in record time with Joyita finishing second.
A week later Manikato started as a 3yo in the Doncaster Handicap
carrying 57.5kg. He was challenged for the lead throughout the race and dead heated for third place. A new Australian record was set for the 1,600 metres race.
In early July 1979 Manikato was taken to Brisbane for the Rothmans 100,000 (now known by its original name of the Doomben 10,000). Carrying a 3yo weight record of 58kg he equalled Baguette’s weight carrying record and became the first 3yo to win over $500,000 in prizemoney.
. Two weeks later he started in the AJC Galaxy Stakes
with 60.5kg and finished in 8th position. After the race he was found to have suffered a bleeding
attack and a heart attack
.
After a spell Manikato resumed racing at Sandown with a win on 1 September 1981 in a handicap in carrying 63.5kg. Two weeks later he lined up in the Marlboro Cup with 60.5kg finishing second to Soldier of Fortune to whom he conceded 8 kg.
On 29 September 1981 Manikato started in the Queen Elizabeth Cup run in honour of the Queen’s attendance at the Caulfield meeting. Manikato won from Lawman with Sovereign Red in third place and equalled the course record of 1:35.7. His next start was in the Chirnside Stakes
where he finished second.
After a spell Manikato returned to again win the William Reid Stakes. Four weeks later on 24 February 1982 Manikato contested his fourth consecutive Futurity Stakes but finished second this time. In the Canterbury Stakes
at Sydney two weeks later Manikato defeated Opera Prince and Ubetido. He then finished third in the All Aged Stakes
before being spelled for 18 weeks.
.
He had 47 starts for 29 wins, 9 seconds and 4 thirds, including five successive William Reid Stakes and four Futurity Stakes winning 11 Group 1 races in all for $1,154,210.
.
The Group 1 Manikato Stakes
, named in his honour is contested annually at the Moonee Valley Racecourse
. The Manikato Restaurant in the grandstand at Caulfield Racecourse
is also named in his honour.
He was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame
in 2002.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse of the late 1970s and early 1980s. He established new track records in three races and was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame
Australian Racing Hall of Fame
The Australian Racing Hall of Fame is part of the Australian Racing Museum which documents and honours the horseracing legends of Australia. The museum officially opened in 1981 and created the Hall of Fame in 2000....
. Manikato was the second Australian horse, after Kingston Town
Kingston Town
Kingston Town was an outstanding Australian bred Thoroughbred racehorse who won a record three Cox Plates and 11 other Group One races in a career spanning from 1979 to 1982...
, to win $1 million in stakes, and, by today's standards, won 11 races which were shortly afterwards classed as Group One
Group One
Group One or Group 1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. Group One races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply. Races may be also restricted to age groups or a...
s (G1) races.
He was a tall, heavily topped chestnut gelding by the VRC Newmarket Handicap winner Manihi from Markato by Natural Bid (USA). Markato was the dam of eight named foals, but Manikato was her only stakes-winner. Costing only A$3,500, Manikato had a double cross of Fair Trial in the fourth generation (4m x 4f) and was a descendant of Nearco
Nearco
Nearco was an Italian bred Thoroughbred racehorse described by Thoroughbred Heritage as "one of the greatest racehorses of the Twentieth Century" and "one of the most important sires of the century." He was not only unbeaten, winning 14 races at distances from 5 furlongs to 1 mile 7 furlongs ,...
through his dam.
Racing career
He was originally trained by Bon Hoysted who died soon after Manikato's 1978 Golden SlipperGolden Slipper
The Golden Slipper Stakes is an Australian Thoroughbred horse race for two year old horses held at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney run over 1,200 metres on turf at set weights. It is the premier two year old race in Australia and is the world's richest race for two-year-old Thoroughbreds....
victory. His brother Bob Hoysted took over his training subsequently.
At two years
As a two-year-old, Manikato won the Blue Diamond StakesBlue Diamond Stakes
The Blue Diamond Stakes is a Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race for two year olds, at set weights, run over 1200 metres at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The race was first run in 1971 and is Victoria's richest two year old race with total prizemoney of A$1.0 million...
and Golden Slipper Stakes double.
At three years
Manikato won eight races and was second three times out of twelve starts. He finished second three times, including one to champion stayer, Dulcify, in the Australian Cup over 2,000 metres.Manikato commenced the season with a win in the Ascot Vale Stakes
Ascot Vale Stakes
The Coolmore Stud Stakes is a Victoria Racing Club Group 1 Australian Thoroughbred horse race for three year olds, at set weights, run over 1200 metres at Flemington Racecourse on VRC Derby Day...
in record time. Three weeks later he started against older horses in the Marlboro Cup which he also won. In the Caulfield Guineas
Caulfield Guineas
The Caulfield Guineas is a Melbourne Racing Club Australian Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race held over 1600 metres at set weights for three-year-old horses, held annually on the second Saturday in October and forms part of the Spring Carnival at Caulfield Racecourse. Total prize money is A$1 million...
Manikato defeated Karaman by about two lengths after a protest against him was dismissed, but his jockey Gary Willetts was suspended.
He then started in the Craven A Stakes (now known as the Salinger Stakes) but had a slight rise in temperature on the day of the race. Manikato was defeated in this race by Always Welcome by the margin of a neck.
After being spelled Manikato won his the first of his five victories in the William Reid Stakes on 29 January 1979. The C F Orr Stakes
C F Orr Stakes
The C F Orr Stakes is a Group 1 Australian thoroughbred horse race at Weight for Age, run over a distance of 1400 metres at Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne in February. Prizemoney in 2010 is A$400,000...
at Sandown was Manikato’s next start and another victory. His win the Futurity Stakes
Futurity Stakes (Australia)
The Futurity Stakes is a Group 1 Australian weight-for-age Thoroughbred horse race held at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne. For most of its history it was a 1400 metre race but since 2006 it has become the first leg of the Asian Mile Challenge series, and its distance has changed to 1600 metres...
was the first of four wins that he had in this race. Manikato next started in the George Ryder Stakes
George Ryder Stakes
The George Ryder Stakes is a Group 1 Australian Thoroughbred horse race at Weight for age run over a distance of 1,500 metres at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Sydney in April...
and won it by six lengths in record time with Joyita finishing second.
A week later Manikato started as a 3yo in the Doncaster Handicap
Doncaster Handicap
The Doncaster Mile is a Group One Thoroughbred horse race held at Royal Randwick Racecourse, Sydney. Although the race has traditionally been held on Easter Monday, the race is now run on the third Saturday in April. The race is contested over 1,600 metres . The prizemoney in 2010 was A$1,510,000...
carrying 57.5kg. He was challenged for the lead throughout the race and dead heated for third place. A new Australian record was set for the 1,600 metres race.
In early July 1979 Manikato was taken to Brisbane for the Rothmans 100,000 (now known by its original name of the Doomben 10,000). Carrying a 3yo weight record of 58kg he equalled Baguette’s weight carrying record and became the first 3yo to win over $500,000 in prizemoney.
At four years
Five weeks later Manikato started his 4yo season with the first of two wins in the Freeway Stakes. On 24 September 1981 he finished second in the Marlboro Cup over 1,400 metres after he struck himself and was galloped on during the running of the race. He won William Reid Stakes and Futurity Stakes. In Sydney Manikato won the G1 George Ryder StakesGeorge Ryder Stakes
The George Ryder Stakes is a Group 1 Australian Thoroughbred horse race at Weight for age run over a distance of 1,500 metres at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Sydney in April...
. Two weeks later he started in the AJC Galaxy Stakes
The Galaxy (horse race)
The Galaxy is an Australian Jockey Club Group One Thoroughbred open handicap horse race, run over a distance of 1100 metres at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia in April...
with 60.5kg and finished in 8th position. After the race he was found to have suffered a bleeding
Bleeding
Bleeding, technically known as hemorrhaging or haemorrhaging is the loss of blood or blood escape from the circulatory system...
attack and a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
.
At five years
In 1981 Manikato won the William Reid Stakes, Futurity Stakes and Orr Stakes again. In the autumn Manikato had to overcome serious adversity again when he damaged his suspensory tendons. After every race, Bon wrapped the horse's legs with plastic shopping bags filled with ice, to reduce inflammation.After a spell Manikato resumed racing at Sandown with a win on 1 September 1981 in a handicap in carrying 63.5kg. Two weeks later he lined up in the Marlboro Cup with 60.5kg finishing second to Soldier of Fortune to whom he conceded 8 kg.
On 29 September 1981 Manikato started in the Queen Elizabeth Cup run in honour of the Queen’s attendance at the Caulfield meeting. Manikato won from Lawman with Sovereign Red in third place and equalled the course record of 1:35.7. His next start was in the Chirnside Stakes
Schillaci Stakes
The Schillaci Stakes is a Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race held under weight for age conditions, for horses aged three years old and upwards, over a distance of 1000 metres...
where he finished second.
After a spell Manikato returned to again win the William Reid Stakes. Four weeks later on 24 February 1982 Manikato contested his fourth consecutive Futurity Stakes but finished second this time. In the Canterbury Stakes
Canterbury Stakes
The Canterbury Stakes is a Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three years old and upwards at weight for age, over a distance of 1300 metres. It is held annually at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney.-Race History:...
at Sydney two weeks later Manikato defeated Opera Prince and Ubetido. He then finished third in the All Aged Stakes
All Aged Stakes
The All Aged Stakes is a Group 1 Australian Thoroughbred horse race at Weight for Age, run over a distance of 1,400 metres at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney in April or May...
before being spelled for 18 weeks.
At six years
During 1982/3 season Manikato had 11 starts for five wins including the Freeway Stakes, Futurity Stakes, A J Moir Stakes, William Reid Stakes and Memsie StakesMemsie Stakes
The Memsie Stakes is a Group 2 weight-for-age Thoroughbred horse race run at Caulfield Racecourse over 1,400 metres . The total prizemoney for the race is A$201,000...
.
He had 47 starts for 29 wins, 9 seconds and 4 thirds, including five successive William Reid Stakes and four Futurity Stakes winning 11 Group 1 races in all for $1,154,210.
After retiring
After retiring from racing in 1983, Manikato was plagued by a virus which he could not shake off. He was humanely euthanized on 13 February 1984. He is buried within sight of some of his greatest wins in "Manikato's Garden" at Moonee Valley RacecourseMoonee Valley Racecourse
Moonee Valley Racecourse is a horse-racing track in Melbourne, Australia which hosts races for Thoroughbreds. Located six kilometers from the Melbourne CBD, it is the home of the Moonee Valley Racing Club...
.
The Group 1 Manikato Stakes
Manikato Stakes
The Manikato Stakes is a MVRC Group One Australian Thoroughbred horse race run under Weight for Age conditions, over a distance of 1200 metres at Moonee Valley Racecourse, Melbourne in September...
, named in his honour is contested annually at the Moonee Valley Racecourse
Moonee Valley Racecourse
Moonee Valley Racecourse is a horse-racing track in Melbourne, Australia which hosts races for Thoroughbreds. Located six kilometers from the Melbourne CBD, it is the home of the Moonee Valley Racing Club...
. The Manikato Restaurant in the grandstand at Caulfield Racecourse
Caulfield Racecourse
Caulfield Racecourse is one of Melbourne, Australia's best-known horse-racing tracks. Commonly known as "The Heath" by local racegoers, it is located eight kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, on the boundary of Caulfield and Caulfield East in Melbourne's south eastern suburbs...
is also named in his honour.
He was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame
Australian Racing Hall of Fame
The Australian Racing Hall of Fame is part of the Australian Racing Museum which documents and honours the horseracing legends of Australia. The museum officially opened in 1981 and created the Hall of Fame in 2000....
in 2002.
See also
- List of leading Thoroughbred racehorses
- Millionaire Racehorses in AustraliaMillionaire racehorses in Australia-Highest 50:Currently out-of-date*Delta Blues has mainly won his prizemoney in Japan. Elegant Fashion has mainly won hers in Hong Kong. Cape of Good Hope has mainly won his prizemoney in the UK and Hong Kong...
- Repeat winners of horse racesRepeat winners of horse races-Eight wins:-Seven wins:-Six wins:* The Race Around Yorkshire Handicap was renamed the "Gods Solution Handicap" in 1990.-Five wins:Cheekio Ora won the Herefordshire Light Horse Breeding Society's Hunter Chase five times in the 1980s....