In the 1969 Champagne stakes, Vain won by 10 lengths in the fastest time ever run by an Australian two-year-old over six furlongs.

Biography

TRAINER: Jim Moloney

OWNERS: W.G and F. Johnson

RACE RECORD/STAKE MONEY: 14 starts: 12 wins, 2 seconds/$145,485

Major Wins 

• VRC Sires Produce Stakes
• Golden Slipper Stakes
• Champagne Stakes
• Caulfield Guineas
• Craven A Stakes
• Linlithgow Stakes
• George Adams Handicap

About

Rarely in Australian turf history has there been a sprinter as powerful as Vain and so capable of utterly demolishing his opponents.

From the outset of his career it was evident that he had an extraordinary turn of foot. Winner of his first four starts in Melbourne, Vain was then taken to Sydney in the autumn of 1969 to challenge the best of the local talent. At that time no Victorian had yet won the Golden Slipper, and the contest was billed as a match race between the local champion, Special Girl, and the southern interloper. Vain left the record crowd in no doubt as to who was the superior. Jumping to an early lead Vain ran the field ragged, and won by four lengths easing down.

As a three-year-old at the Melbourne Spring Carnival of 1969, Vain embarked on his greatest triumph, winning the Craven A Stakes on Derby Day by 12 lengths, followed by the Linlithgow Stakes on Oaks Day and the George Adams Handicap on the final day.

Retired early in 1970 because of a leg injury, Vain enjoyed a long and successful career as a sire at Widden Stud. He was Australian champion sire in 1983-84, and two of his progeny, Sir Dapper and Inspired, won the Golden Slipper Stakes.

Vain was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2003.

Image Source: Bradley Photographers