He was a boofhead and temperamental, but boy could the powerhouse chestnut sprint

In addition to being acknowledged as the Australian Horse of the Year for the 1978-79 season, MANIKATO accomplished the remarkable feat of becoming only the second Australian horse after KINGSTON TOWN to surpass the noteworthy milestone of generating over $1 million in stakes earnings. He was a champion at the elite level for over six seasons and dominated the scene through the late 1970's and into the 1980's. However, upon reaching the highest level of racing as a two-year-old, his career and life faced numerous challenges that constantly threatened to disrupt his progress and well-being. It is a rags to riches story of not only a champion sprinter but one of the best horses to grace the Australian turf.

Despite the untimely demise of his initial trainer, Bon Hoysted shortly after the 1978 Golden Slipper Stakes, and the subsequent health challenges and persistent injuries that plagued MANIKATO, his ability to not only compete, but also emerge victorious was nothing short of extraordinary. Twenty-five of Manikato's 29 career wins - an incredible figure in itself - came in stakes races and all have since been upgraded to the elite level.

MANIKATO, foaled in 1975, was a tall, heavily topped chestnut gelding sired by MANIHI, the winner of the VRC Newmarket Handicap, 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, a descendant of NEARCO through his dam. Historically, the lineage included connections to HEROIC, AJAX, and GAINSBOROUGH representing what proved to be an exceptionally advantageous quality with plenty of speed to burn.

The colt exhibited challenging behaviour and was not particularly aesthetically pleasing or well-tempered to begin with. He was gelded to try and improve his manners, however the intervention proved largely ineffective and he maintained a heightened state of tension and irritability throughout his life. In his later years, his grittiness and courage were more evident than his speed in continuing to win races, further endearing him to race crowds.

MANIKATO was trained by Bon, then Bob Hoysted, who began their careers working for their illustrious father, trainer Fred Hoysted in 1956 before branching out on their own as a public trainers. Fred Hoysted won 17 Melbourne training premierships between 1933 and 1958 and Bon was a major cog in the wheel of the business during a time when the stable was highly successful. Bon had been in his father's shadow for his whole life even though he'd been the main man really training Fred's horses - he'd been running the stable since he was 15 - but he never achieved much acclaim. Over the course of the following two decades, numerous exceptional horses were prepared, but none surpassed the extraordinary Manikato.

The initial endeavours of MANIKATO commenced in 1978 when he was a two-year-old. During that inaugural season and the subsequent one as a three-year-old, Manikato achieved quite remarkable success, securing no fewer than four prestigious Group one victories. These triumphs included the Blue Diamond Stakes, the Invitation Stakes, the Caulfield Guineas, and the highly esteemed Golden Slipper Stakes. When Manikato went to Sydney for the Slipper, former Kiwi jockey Gary Willets had to get him in behind a horse to make sure he was leading with the right leg as he was drifting off the course on his Melbourne leg In 1978, Bob Hoysted assumed the responsibility of training Manikato after the sudden death of his brother Bon after the Slipper victory.

In addition to his victories in 1978, which included the Ascot Vale Stakes, the geldings accomplishments in 1979 were equally noteworthy. These achievements encompassed a C.F. Orr Stakes, a Freeway Stakes, and the William Reid Stakes, all of which were classified as Group 2 races at the time but have since been elevated to Group 1 status. That same season Manikato also produced true Group 1 wins in the Futurity Stakes and the Rothmans 100,000. Racing from 1000m to 2000m, his second to DULCIFY in the 1979 Australian Cup was one of his bravest performances.

1980 produced four victories. A second William Reid Stakes, a repeat in the C.F. Orr Stakes, both at Group 2 level and Group 1 victories in the George Ryder Stakes and a repeat in the Futurity Stakes. Manikato's dominance of the William Reid Stakes continued in 1981 making him seem near invincible at 1200 metres. The C. F. Orr Stakes and another Futurity Stakes fell to him before the second month of the year had passed. Manikato's confirmation caused the horse to experience some difficulties with his legs and other health issues that conspired to require a spell that lasted 28 weeks. Yet a bleeding attack, a heart attack and tendon problems later in life failed to punctuate his stellar career.

Upon Manikato's return in September, jockey Roy Higgins and Manikato successfully added the Queen Elizabeth Cup to their achievements, setting a new course record in the process. Manikato also set track records in winning the Doomben 10,000 (Rothmans) and the George Ryder Stakes. In 1982, the horse had eight starts, all with Gary Willetts as the jockey. During this season Manikato achieved several notable victories. He won the William Reid Stakes for an incredible fourth consecutive year, as well as the Memsie Stakes, the A.J. Moir Stakes, the Canterbury Stakes and the Freeway Stakes.

After a brief 13-week hiatus, Manikato's final four races occurred in 1983. His unprecedented fifth William Reid Stakes and fourth Futurity Stakes solidified his status as one of Australia's greatest ever sprinters. Manikato had completed victories in more than half of his career starts. The pink and white colours were carried to 29 wins, 8 seconds and 5 third placings from 47 starts, with only five unplaced. This is an envious mark by any standard.

Manikato unfortunately contracted a virus shortly after his retirement in 1983. Given the severity of his condition and the lack of improvement, the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanise him in early 1984. As a tribute to his remarkable achievements, Manikato was laid to rest within sight of the finish line at Moonee Valley Racecourse, where the public still come to pay homage to the horse they called "The Man" - a location that holds significant memories of his exceptional performances.

RACE RECORD - 47: 29-8-5

EARNINGS - $1,154,210

Blue Diamond Stakes (1978)

Golden Slipper Stakes (1978)

Caulfield Guineas (1978)

Invitation Stakes (1978)

Futurity Stakes (1979, 1980, 1981, 1983)

Rothmans 100,000 (1979)

William Reid Stakes (1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983)

George Ryder Stakes (1979, 1980)

Australian Horse of the Year (1979)

Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee (2002)

Group 1 Manikato Stakes, Moonee Valley