Some facts about the world’s richest race for two-year-olds, the $3.5 million Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
* Todman won the inaugural running in 1957 by eight lengths and started at 1-6.
* Star Kingdom progeny dominated the first five runnings of the Slipper: Todman (1957), Skyline (1958), Fine And Dandy (1959), Sky High (1960) and Magic Night (1961).
* Magic Night was the first filly to win the race.
* The Golden Slipper has been won by 24 colts, seven geldings and 23 fillies.
* Sixteen favourites have won the Slipper since its inception, the latest being Sebring (2008).
* Shane Dye and Ron Quinton hold the record for riding the most winners with four victories apiece.
* Quinton, who is now a trainer, claimed his Slippers on Marscay (1982), Sir Dapper (1983), Rory’s Jester (1985) and Marauding (1987).
* Dye, who is still riding, notched his wins on Courtza (1989), Canny Lad (1990), Tierce (1991) and Burst (1992).
* Tommy Smith is the only person to have bred, owned and trained a Golden Slipper winner – Bounding Away in 1986.
* Smith also holds the Slipper training record of six wins – Fairy Walk (1971), John’s Hope (1972), Hartshill (1974), Toy Show (1975), Bounding Away (1986) and Star Watch in 1988.
* Smith’s daughter Gai Waterhouse became the first woman to train a Slipper winner with Ha Ha (2001) and also completed the trifecta with Excellerator and Red Hannigan. Waterhouse won the race again with Dance Hero in 2004 and Sebring in 2008.
* Winning jockeys with rides this year: Glen Boss – Smart Missile (Sebring 2008, Flying Spur 1995); Craig Williams – Masthead (Miss Finland 2006); Jim Cassidy – Elite Falls (Ha Ha 2001); Damien Oliver – Shared Reflections (Forensics 2007).
* Winning trainers with runners this year: Lee Freedman – Masthead (Merlene 1996, Flying Spur 1995, Danzero 1994, Bint Marscay 1993); Bart Cummings – Salade, Empress Rock, Do You Think (Century Miss 1979, Vivarchi 1976, Tontonan 1973, Storm Queen 1966); Clarry Conners – Satin Shoes (Belle Du Jour 2000, Prowl 1998, Burst 1992, Tierce 1991); Gai Waterhouse – Shared Reflections (Sebring 2008, Dance Hero 2004, Ha Ha 2001).
* Barrier one is the most successful in the Slipper’s history with eight wins. Winning barriers and the last winner to jump from them are:- Barrier 1 – eight winners (Crystal Lily 2010); 2 – two (Dance Hero 2004); 3 – six (Catbird 1999); 4 – five (Century Miss 1979); 5 – four (Sebring 2008); 6 – three (Stratum 2005); 7 – two (Miss Finland 2006); 8 – five (Bounding Away 1986); 9 – three (Sweet Embrace 1967); 10 – five (Danzero 1994); 11 – three (Ha Ha 2001); 12 – two (Inspired 1984); 13 – nil (-); 14 – four (Polar Success 2003); 15 – one (Star Watch 1988); 16 – one (Phelan Ready 2009).
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