Injury may have ended his career early, but Sir Dapper was a stunning galloper of epic proportions

A handsome bay with a white star, SIR DAPPER was the best two-year-old of his generation and engaged in some stirring battles with the champion mare EMANCIPATION as a three-year-old that had racegoers both enthralled and divided. He gave his best every start and retired with 13 wins and four seconds from 18 starts - his lone run out of the placings a brave fifth in the W.S Cox Plate to STRAWBERRY ROAD.

Bred at the Wingarra Stud in NSW, Sir Dapper was foaled in 1980 and was the son of the great sprinter VAIN out of the mare SIKRI (by Golden Plume), a full sister to BROKERS TIP, who won six Group One races in Australia including a Doncaster and Epsom in the same season, and also won stakes events in America. The Vain colt got cast in his day yard just before the yearlings were due for sale at Newmarket and looked the worst for wear in his box. Fortunately, Les Bridge and Peter Horwitz could see the injury was only superficial and bought him for just $17,000.

Trainer Les Bridge decided to change jockeys to Ron Quinton, which ended up being fortuitous for him. Despite drawing barrier (11) in the 1983 Golden Slipper, Quinton was able to take up a position just off the pace and take a crack at the leaders in the straight. Sir Dapper became the first horse to break 1:10.0 in the Golden Slipper Stakes, running the race in just 1:09.9 - the fastest time since its inception in 1957. Once gaining momentum on straightening up, he just went whoosh right past them with ease. The thing about SIR DAPPER was his strength unlike a normal two-year-old, and what he packed into his 17 months until retirement was extraordinary. The only time Sir Dapper failed to win that season came in the Todman Slipper Trial when his jockey Maurice Logue was cleverly outridden in a small field by Ron Quinton on the Century colt, MAKING TIME.

The modern generation will remember the enthralling bouts between the big grey mare Emancipation and the compact bay three-year-old colt Sir Dapper in the Sydney autumn of 1984. EMANCIPATION was a champion racehorse. By the sire BLETCHINGLY, Emancipation was a grey, like her dam, AMMO GIRL, and her damsire, GUNSYND. They started off in the Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on February 11. Sir Dapper (Dittman) was first by 1-3/4 lengths from Emancipation (Quinton). Emancipation finished the race with blood oozing from a wound on her hind leg. She had an excuse.

The stage was therefore set for round two in the George Ryder Stakes over 1400m at Rosehill on April 7. This time, Emancipation led all the way to beat Sir Dapper who was pocketed away, Dittman having no room as the wily Quinton held Sir Dapper in. Sir Dapper started favourite for their third clash in the All-Aged Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on April 22. Emancipation led all the way, holding Sir Dapper’s challenge, but the courageous colt was badly stripped in the run, blood pouring from a sickening-looking hole in his hind leg. Sir Dapper had been galloped on by the mare TEMPESTUOUS, and not only did it cost the colt the race - beaten less than a length by Emancipation - but it spelled the `finish’ to his racing career. Emancipation had won the three round contest 2-1 and the two Sydney horses had outclassed their rivals.

Sir Dapper did not get his chance for revenge as his trainer Les Bridge and owners Mr and Mrs Peter Horwitz, Mr and Mrs Morrie Macleod, Mike Willesee and Robbie Porter retired him immediately to the Trans Media Stud at Cootamundra. Interestingly, Sir Dapper and Tempestuous met again at stud. In 1986, the mare dropped a colt to the stallion. Ron Quinton rode Sir Dapper 7 times for 6 wins and a second, only beaten on him in the Guineas right at the end of his preparation.

After an average stud career, he died in 1999 at Ballarat from colic. He did find lasting fame as the sire of the dam BO DAPPER, mother of six time Group 1 winner and leading sire TESTA ROSSA.

RACE RECORD - 18: 13-4-0

STAKE EARNINGS - $624,100

1983 Golden Slipper

Spring Champion Stakes

Gloaming Stakes

Peter Pan Stakes

Expressway Stakes

Hobartville Stakes

Canterbury Stakes

San Domenico Stakes

Skyline Stakes