Little Brown Jug was an exceptional colt, but may be best remembered for savaging the champion Manikato

LITTLE BROWN JUG was an exceptional galloper foaled in August 1976 from the Irish sire GODAVARI from a New Zealand mare in PEASE (Targui FR). The young colt owned by Barney Ballin became a fan favourite in the South Island and started his career with eight straight victories, beginning at Riccarton over 1400m with Chilean born jockey Alberto (Tito) Poblete aboard, who would ride him in the first four wins. He would also prove victorious at Ashburton in his next before claiming another dominant win at Wingatui and North Canterbury up at the distance of 1600m.

LITTLE BROWN JUG was then prepared for the 1979 NZ 2000 Guineas by trainer Peter Jones. The race has been won some fine New Zealand star gallopers throughout the 1970s, including BALMERINO in 1975, VICE REGAL in 1976 and UNCLE REMUS in 1977, so the honour board held some prestigious names from its incepton in 1973 with Cox Plate winner FURY'S ORDER. The soft track never proved an issue for the horse as he strode away to make it five straight with Tito in the saddle once again.

Controversy surrounded the top male three-year-old, as there were concerns over the riding ability of Tito in the 1979 Canterbury Gold Cup, so northern hoop Jim Collett was called in to ride the horse. Little Brown Jug was held up until the turn before bursting through the center at the 250m and he responded brilliantly to overpowered the opposition, defeating MELLSEUR and TOP CASTLE. Poblete was retained to ride him to victory by the large margin of seven lengths at Invercargill in the next before winning the Coruba Stakes over the mile back at Riccarton ahead of GREY WAY.

Making his inaugural journey North, Little Brown Jug would secure a fifth-place finish in the three-year-old feature at Avondale. This outcome is likely attributable to the brief two-week interval between races and the cumulative impact of an extended campaign on the young horse. Following a two-week interval, he competed in the Gr.1 NZ Derby (2400m) on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, with David Peake as the jockey, where he secured another fifth-place finish. This outcome suggested that the mile and a half distance had proved to be excessively demanding with little let up since his debut win.

A month-long spell proved beneficial, as the colt returned to winning form at Trentham, securing the Gr.1 Wellington Stakes over 1600m to commence the new year. Little Brown Jug was a hot $1.50 favourite to win the Gr.1 Wellington Derby (2400m) only to play up and get beaten by a nose to LOVE LACE WATKINS with Peake riding in all his northern races apart from the Avondale defeat.

Returning south to more familiar surroundings, Little Brown Jug would pick up where he left off, winning over the mile back in Christchurch and over 2200m at Wingatui. After a much needed break, the now four-year-old would win his last race in New Zealand over 1400m at Riccarton in August 1980. Little Brown Jug would win 12 from 15 in New Zealand, an extraordinary record overall. He was named Horse of the year in 1979-1980 before crossing the Tasman where his name was changed to MY BROWN JUG. However, despite a sound race record running in good company, he is particularly recognised for one specific race during his tenure in Australia.

Champion Sprinter MANIKATO had to call on every ounce of courage to fight off a challenge by the former Kiwi MY BROWN JUG to win the C.F Orr Stakes at Sandown in 1980. It was one of Manikato's narrowest wins, as jockey Brent Thompson looked to have him beaten twice in the straight before the great horse caught him right on the line as the entire My BROWN JUG turned his head and attempt to bite him. The two battled head to hand from the 800m until the turn before a ding-dong fight down the straight. The replay clearly showed the 20-1 shot had grabbed Manikato with his teeth and savaged the great horse, clearly resentful of him getting too close as the two neared the post.

MY BROWN JUG also secured a third-place finish behind the esteemed HYPERNO in the 1981 Australia Cup. From a total of 13 starts, the horse achieved three victories in Melbourne, with two at Caulfield and one at Moonee Valley. Notably, in all of its Australian starts, the horse consistently placed no lower than third place.

It is important not to confuse him with the renowned USA pacer who shared his name; LITTLE BROWN JUG passed away in 1999. The stallion would sire 162 runners with 91 winners, including Stapleton Lass (Gr.1 Australasian Oaks), Magdelaine, Madame Bardot, Brown Edition, Cetacean, The Jug, Eight Jugs, Jugalug, Pelican Brief, Luvajug, Our Vezelay, Indication, City Gossip, So Hopeful and of Coffee Pot, Rendali and Jugged. Despite presenting challenges as a colt who was shy of snapping at passerbys as the crossed his path, he will be fondly remembered for his resilient spirit and competitive drive, which allowed him to dominate the racing scene in the late 1970s.

RACE RECORD - 28: 15-8-3

STAKE EARNINGS - $80,735

NZ 2000 Guineas

Canterbury Gold Cup

Coruba Stakes

Wellington Stakes

2nd Wellington Derby

2nd CF ORR Stakes

3rd Australia Cup