Stylish Century

There was sad news in the first week of June when it was reported that Stylish Century has succumbed to the effects of a deadly spider bite while at stud in Queensland. Foaled in 1986 and aged only 16 years it would have been reasonable to believe that he would have a more time to establish a stud career in his home state of Queensland after only returning home from New Zealand in 1997 with his oldest Australian bred progeny only currently 4yos. But his deeds at stud are not what Stylish Century will be remembered for it was his impact on the racing scene in the late 1980's that drew the racing public to embrace the frontrunning black colt from Queensland.

The colt by top class stayer Double Century from sprinting mare Stylish was offered as Lot 437 at the Golden Nugget Sale on the Gold Coast in March 1988. Dick Monaghan had gone to the sale to inspect other yearlings but not to buy but after bidding on another yearling he was waiting on further information when the black horse was led into the ring. Taken with his appearance the Queenslander made the final bid and took the Double Century youngster home for just $6,000.

Put into training with Noel Doyle in Queensland Nugget as he was known in the stable showed ability early and despite beginning awkwardly sped away from his 12 opponents to win with his head on his chest by 11 lengths in record time. A month later he repeated the dose and although the track was rated slow it didn't stop the frontrunner who won with ease by six lengths to a future good performer in Cool Credit who was 5 lengths ahead of the third placed horse.

In late January Stylish Century was sent out as the odds on favourite again at Doomben. Instead of leading he sat in third place then moved to second before again racing clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths from By Invitation to whom he conceded 4 1/2 kg in weight. He was then freshened and set for the Golden Nugget Stakes for sales graduates. In the Listed race he astounded race fans in non only winning by 5 1/2 lengths but in winning ran the fastest time for a 2yo over 1200m ever.

The plan was now to head to Sydney but Stylish Century hadn't been entered for the Golden Slipper and lined up in the Todman Slipper Trial to gain a berth and avoid being balloted as his Golden Nugget winnings were not recognised in order of entry. The rain started to fall and a slow track ensued - Stylish Century was never happy in wet ground. He was sent out as the odds on favourite and took his favourite roll in front. In the straight he was still going strongly but the condition told and talented 2yo Mercury powered home to win by a short head.

Connections were left with no alternative but to line up in the Brambles Classic at Kembla Grange three days later for a final attempt to make the Slipper field. A returned to dry conditions and Stylish Century led throughout winning by 4 1/2 lengths to Mr Exclusive.

On Golden Slipper day the heavens opened and again the track was rain affected. Stylish Century was slowly away and then was checked soon after the start and met intereference again by the 1000m finding himself well back in the field. Courtza went on to win completing the Blue Diamond - Golden Slipper double from Paris Opera with future smart sprinter Show Country third as Stylish Century made some ground to run 8th. A wet track again dulled his brilliance in the AJC Sires Produce and despite being a lot closer in running he tired to finish well back.

After a spell Stylish Century changed stables and was placed with Bart Cummings with a view to head for the big spring races with the main aim the VRC Derby. Connections felt that it would be better for him to be trained locally rather than travelling from the Gold Coast for the spring targets.

The Cummings stable felt that Stylish Century would not be able to win if ridden as a frontrunner so tried to teach the colt to settle and run on in races. Although not completely happy with the idea his owner agreed to try the new tactics Stylish Century learnt too well and became too relaxed in the barrier developing a habit of missing the start. In the San Domenico Stakes at Warwick Farm in early August he was fourth on the turn and lost ground in the run home as Show County outsped Patronise and Charles County to win.

In the Up and Coming Stakes he settled in fifth on a slow track and ran on in the straight for second behind Patronise with Straussbrook third. In the Peter Pan Stakes he was slowly away and settled midfield before bursting to the lead in the straight but was run down by Party Mood passing the post in fourth place.

Despite public doubts on his staying ability Stylish Century went on to the Gloaming Stakes over 1900m at Rosehill. Stargazer led as Stylish Century was held back to third place behind the leader who after settling he began to pull. In the straight Stargazer raced away to victory from Cool Credit with Stylish Century a head away third and Solar Circle fourth. After that run Dick Monaghan indicated he wanted the horse allowed to run freely in the lead but at his next start in the George Main Stakes he was slowly away and settled at the rear of the field. Taken wide he loomed up in the straight but could run down old champ Vo Rogue with Groucho second and Don't Play trained by Noel Doyle third with Stylish Century 6th beaten less than 2 1/2 lengths.

His next start was in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes over 2000m at Randwick. Connections instructed jockey Craig Carmody to lead in the race. The change back to leading worked and Stylish Century was a mile clear coming around the turn. In the straight he kicked strongly and stormed home to win by 8 lengths to Stargazer with Procul Harem third and Zamoff fourth.

It was then to Melbourne and to the Caulfield Stakes. As they jumped Stylish Century missed the start hopelessly and was well back as the field turned for home. Faced with a wall of horse he passed the post in 10th place behind Procul Harem though only 5 1/2 lengths from the winner.

The following week Stylish Century was moved to the stables of Bill Mitchell and prepared for a run in the WS Cox Plate. Connections made their preference to lead in the race known as despite the wide barrier and odds of 33/1 he was expected to run well.

As the gates opened Stylish Century kicked up from the wide barrier to lead Procul Harem, Tristanagh and The Phantom turning out of the straight followed by Almaarad, Vo Rogue and Courtza then King's High, Vitalic and Riverina Charm as Our Westminster and Zabeel settled well back ahead of Empire Rose with Apollo Run at the rear. By the 1400m Stylish Century led Vo Rogue who was wide around The Phantom. Stylish Century picked up the pace and raced away by the 1000m well clear of Vo Rogue and The Phantom followed by Almaarad. By the 400m Stylish Century was striding boldly in front and was still well clear but Almaarad was steadily making ground from The Phantom, Tristanagh and Vitalic. On straightening Stylish Century was a length in front of Almaarad then Vitalic with Our Westminster running on. Inside the 100m Stylish Century was giving his all trying to hold off the imported sensation with a gap to the rest. Inside the final 50m Almaarad drew alongside and they went stride for stride to the line. In a head bobbing finish Almaarad nosed out Stylish Century with giant mare Empire Rose running on late to grab third.

A week later he lined up in the VRC Derby and was sent out the favourite with Almaarad the short priced Melbourne Cup favourite until he was found to have injured himself only days before the race and was retired. In the Derby Stylish Century worked to the front early and from then it was a procession. Turning for home he was travelling easily in front and kicked further ahead by the 300m. With an outstanding display he galloped to the line under a hold to win by three lengths from Zamoff with Dr Grace third and Interstellar fourth. With the Derby winner granted automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup his owners took up the challenge and the 3yo headed for the big race carrying the lightweight of 47.5kg. Well fancied the signs that there was a problem soon arose. Stabled next to the mare Empire Rose his thoughts moved away from racing and the colt was distracted. His interest 'elsewhere' Stylish Century all but ran his race before they entered the barriers for the famous race. Soon after jumping he settled behind Power of Destiny but soon started to pull noticably and threw his head about several times down the long Flemington straight. Stylish Century took the lead passing the post the first time and was joined by Empire Rose by the 1800m. After he picked up the tempo and raced in front of the mare soon Kudz and Coshking made their move and both were taking him on for the lead by the 800m. It was soon clear the recent events had taken their toll and Stylish Century started to drop out as Kudz hit the front soon to be passed by future champion Super Impose with Tawriffic powering past them both in the final stages to win. Meanwhile clearly beaten Stylish Century was eased finishing well back behind the bulk of the field.

Stylish Century went for a spell and returned to racing in the William Reid Stakes. Beaten for early speed he gradually made ground to be just behind the leaders turning for home. In the straight he charged down the outside leaving Vo Rogue in his wake to finish third less than a length from Lighting Bend who led most of the way and Strawberry Ranch.

His first clash with Zabeel followed in the Australian Guineas. Ark Regal led Stylish Century into the straight. In the run to the line Zabeel swept to the front to draw away to win by three lengths from Ark Regal with Stylish Century in fourth place. The second clash was in the Autumn Classic at Caulfield. Stylish Century took up his favourite roll in front and raced well clear around the turn. Zabeel tried to give chase but under hands and heels Stylish Century was far too good winning by six lengths from Zabeel with Western Frontier third ahead of Stargazer.

Stylish Century then went on to the Australian Cup. Plans were to take on Vo Rogue and lead since Stylish Century had the inside draw and Vo Rogue starting from well out. Despite its good rating the track turned out to be better away from the rails something that brought about the undoing of the plan. Stylish Century started well and went to the rails while Vo Rogue matched him but stayed out wide on the track. As they passed the 1000m Vo Rogue shocked the colt's connections being in front by 6 lengths. Stylish Century chased the old horse valiantly but Vo Rogue was too good winning by a length from fast finishing Better Loosen Up and Super Impose with Stylish Century in fourth place. Five days later he backed up against 3yo company.

Who was the better colt? Zabeel or Stylish Century. It was expected the Alister Clark Stakes would provide the answer. Stylish Century went to the lead and was still going well in front around the turn from Key Dancer and Zabeel. As they turned for home Zabeel drifted in slightly but joined Stylish Century. The two colts went stride for stride but bumped numerous times in the straight. On the line Zabeel put his head down to grab victory in a photo but a protest was soon lodged. It was later dismissed but the race hadn't provided the answer.

Both headed for the Sydney carnival where they lined up on a heavy track in the Rosehill Guineas. Around the turn Stylish Century and Zabeel were together and making their runs out wide with both taking the front together. But soon both started to struggle in the conditions as mud runner Solar Circle strode through closer to the rail to hit the front and race away to win by 4 1/2 lengths from Stargazer with Zabeel third and Stylish Century dropping to the second half of the field.

The weather improved for the AJC Derby but the track was still rain affected. Stylish Century took the lead soon after the start and galloped along in front handling the conditions far better than expected by many. Around the turn he led by a huge margin from Solar Circle, Castletown, Dr Grace and Zabeel. Well into the straight he was still clear but starting to tire as Dr Grace started to make ground. By the 100m Dr Grace joined Stylish Century with a gap to Castletown, Zabeel and Solar Circle. Despite the exhausted Stylish Century trying to fight back Dr Grace hit the front to win by just over a length from Stylish Century with 2 1/2 lengths back to Solar Circle third and Castletown fourth. On the dead track Dr Grace had won in a time 1 second outside the record.

Plans had been made to travel to the other mainland Derbies as the programming made the time feasible but when Stylish Century pulled up distressed after the AJC Derby it was decided to head for the paddock. After a short time he picked up and returned to work for the Queensland carnival. First he sped over the 1600m at Doomben in race record time to defeat Rough Habit in the Dommben Classic. next he lined up in the PJ O'Shea Stakes but the jump in distance was too much and he tired to finish out of the placings in the home straight. The Derby plan was called off as the big wet hit the carnival and he headed for the paddock as Rough Habit went on to win the QTC Derby.

A big spring was planned for Stylish Century but things went wrong with one of the incidents being a near drowning for the colt. He showed a return to form in the John F Feehan Stakes racing to the front from the outset only to be run down and defeated by a nose by Better Loosen Up who was the best form of his career that spring. He was run down in the Caulfield Stakes and Coongy finishing on the heels of the placegetters before lining up in the WS Cox Plate. Leading from the outset Stylish Century was still going well turning for home but in the final stages he was swamped by Better Loosen Up, Sydeston and lightweight 3yo Canny Lad. In the Mackinnon Stakes a week later it was a similar story as he defied the opposition until well into the long Flemington straight where Better Loosen Up grabbed him again close to the post. Mr Brooker was 2 1/2 lengths away in third.

With Super Impose's enforced break off the track due to the bleeding attack Stylish Century and Better Loosen Up were chosen to head to Japan as Australia's representatives. Horlicks had shown horses from the region could win but again the bad luck hit Stylish Century. As he was heading to the start jockey Kevin Moses had a problem with the bridle and dismounted to fix it. The black stallion became unsettled and broke free galloping hard around the track before being caught to take his place in the field. Stylish Century jumped in front but settled in second place. In the straight the earlier incident had taken a toll as Stylish Century dropped back as Better Loosen Up swept to victory from other swoopers in Ode and Cacoethese with Stylish Century official 10th but just over 5 lengths from the winner.

A spell followed before returning to Melbourne for the Futurity Stakes first up. As in the previous January he was outsped with Redelva winning from Bureaucracy with miler Planet Ruler third and Stylish Century fourth. Up to Sydney he was third to Bureaucracy and Comrade in the George Ryder Stakes then unplaced behind Super Impose in the Doncaster Hcp.

Three days later he lined up for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick. Back to his best form he led throughout to be too good for Doncaster runner up Royal Creation with Livistona Lane third and Comrade fourth. It was Stylish Century's first win while in the stable of Ron Gill.

Five days later he was third to Shaftesbury Avenue and Super Impose in the All Aged Stakes before heading to Gosford only 4 days after that to run fourth in the Gosford Cup. He then went for another spell.

After two unplaced runs over the short distances Stylish Century took up the frontrunning role in the Chelmsford Stakes but was run down late by Stargazer and Royal Creation to finish third. After three further unplaced efforts behind Super Impose and Planet Ruler Stylish Century headed to his third run in the WS Cox Plate. After racing in second for most of the trip Stylish Century briefly hit the front but was soon grabbed by Super Impose then Surfer's Paradise and Sydeston in the run to the post.

Again the champions got past in the straight in the Mackinnon as Let's Elope won from Super Impose and Prince Salieri. As those horses went on to the Melbourne Cup Stylish Century was saved for the Queen Elizabeth and the Sandown Cup. After a third in the Queen Elizabeth Stylish Century defied the opposition to lead throughout in the Sandown Cup. Two weeks later he lined up in Perth but the trip had its effect and he finished well down the track.

After a spell Stylish Century returned to racing now in the care of his owner Dick Monaghan who had taken out an owner-trainer licence. Finishing just behind the placegetters in two Melbourne runs and then being run down in the Australian Cup Stylish Century headed to the Sydney carnival. He returned to form with a second in the Canterbury Cup after sitting just off the pace and running on in the short straight. Then he returned to the lead in the Rawson Stakes only to be beaten in the last few strides by My Eagle Eye and Rough Habit finishing a close third.

Next he went to the BMW but injured a tendon dropping back to 8th after being second in the run. Plans to race on in Australia or overseas were brought to an end as Stylish Century was immediately retired and headed to stud in New Zealand at Mapperley Stud for the 1992 season.

During his time in New Zealand he sired the multiple stakeswinner Buster Jones, Golden Era (South Africa), talented stayer Tristacentury (pictured below) and classy mare Royal Sencherec. In 1997 Stylish Century moved to Eldon Park Stud Victoria. He moved to Baramul Stud in NSW in 2000 before heading up to Queensland and Glamorganvale Lodge in 2001. Stylish Century later moved to Valentine Park at Beaudesert.

He has sired from very small crops winners in 6 countries of over 5 million in earnings. There will be less than 30 foals from his final two crops with just under 20 foals due this spring. He is the sire of the promising 3yo Miranova who has just started a career recently.

During his racing career Stylish Century was named co-champion 3yo and won 6 Group or Listed races and prizemoney of over 2.2 million while racing in one of the best eras of racing against horses the calibre of Better Loosen Up, Super Impose, Vo Rogue, etc

The photos included in this report are available for sale. Please contact Jenny Barnes for further details.