Manikato is buried in "Manikato's Garden" at Moonee Valley racecourse, the site of many of his triumphs.

Biography

TRAINER: Bon Hoysted and Bob Hoysted

OWNERS: E.A.J.M. (Mal) Secull

RACE RECORD/STAKE MONEY: 47 starts: 29 wins, 8 seconds, 5 thirds/$1,154,210

Major Wins 

• Blue Diamond Stakes
• Golden Slipper Stakes
• George Ryder Stakes
• Futurity Stakes (four times)
• C.F. Orr Stakes (three times)
• William Reid Stakes (five times)
• Doomben 10,000
• Queen Elizabeth Cup

About

Manikato was one of the greatest and most exciting sprinter-milers in the history of the Australian turf. Bought at the South Australian yearling sales in 1977 for a bargain price of $3,500, he had little to recommend either in looks or temperament. Even when gelded and fully mature, he continued to be highly strung and difficult to handle. But his lack of manners was more than offset by his speed and enormous will to win.

Manikato's first trainer, Bon Hoysted, had never won a Group 1 race in his 40 years of training. Manikato twice achieved this goal for him when he won the big Group 1 double for two-year-olds, the Blue Diamond Stakes and the Golden Slipper Stakes.

Bon Hoysted's connection with Manikato was sadly cut short by his death, but his place was taken by his brother, Bob, who had charge of the horse for the rest of his career. Under his tutelage Manikato added a further seven Group 1 and 16 Group 2 victories to his tally, including a record five consecutive victories in a major Australian sprint, the William Reid Stakes.

During his illustrious career, Manikato broke track records in the Doomben 10,000, George Ryder Stakes, and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and was the second Australian horse to achieve $1 million in prize money.

He was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2002.