MANIKATO
Manikato
(1975–1984) was a champion Australian Thoroughbred
racehorse of the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was a
chestnut gelding by Manihi from Markato by Natural Bid
(USA).
Manikato was one of the best sprinters ever to race in
Australia. Costing only AUD$3,500, Manikato had a double
cross of Fair Trial in the fourth generation and was a
descendant of Nearco through his dam.
He
was the second Australian horse, after Kingston Town,
to win $1 million in stakes, and, by today's gradings,
won as many as 18 races which are now Group Ones (as the
William Reid, Orr, and Freeway Stakes are now run at Group
One level). As a two-year-old, Manikato won the Blue Diamond
Stakes and Golden Slipper Stakes double. He then won an
amazing five successive William Reid Stakes and four Futurity
Stakes winning 12 Group 1 races in all.
He was originally trained by Bon Hoysted who died soon
after Manikato's 1978 Golden Slipper victory. His brother
Bob Hoysted took over his training subsequently. Because
Manikato was such a tall, heavily topped gelding he put
tremendous strain on his legs each time he raced.
Manikato had to overcome serious adversity in his career.
He suffered a bleeding attack, a heart attack, and damaged
his suspensory tendons. After every race, Bon could be
seen wrapping the horse's legs with plastic shopping bags
filled with ice, to reduce inflammation.
After
retiring from racing in 1983, Manikato was plagued by
a virus which he could not shake off. He was humanely
euthanased on 13 February 1984. He is buried within sight
of some of his greatest wins, the winning post at Moonee
Valley Racecourse.
The Group 1 Manikato Stakes, named in his honour is run
annually at Moonee Valley. The Manikato Restaurant in
the grandstand at Caulfield Racecourse is also named in
his honour.
Group
One victories
• 1978 Blue Diamond Stakes
• 1978 Golden Slipper Stakes
• 1978 Caulfield Guineas
• 1978 Invitation Stakes
• 1979 Futurity Stakes
• 1979 Rothmans 100,000 (including a weight carrying
record for a 3yo)[2]
• 1980 Futurity Stakes
• 1980 George Ryder Stakes
• 1981 Futurity Stakes
• 1983 Futurity Stakes
Group 2 wins
• 1983 William Reid Stakes
• 1982 William Reid Stakes
• 1981 William Reid Stakes
• 1980 William Reid Stakes
• 1979 William Reid Stakes
• 1981 C F Orr Stakes
• 1980 C F Orr Stakes
• 1979 C F Orr Stakes
• 1979 Freeway Stakes
• 1982 Freeway Stakes
• 1982 Canterbury Stakes
• 1982 A J Moir Stakes
• 1982 Memsie Stakes
• 1978 Ascot Vale Stakes
