It’s somewhat doubtful that thoroughbreds take gender into consideration on the racecourse, saving that distraction for more suitable venues.
Many a stallion has been bested by a competent filly at every distance, Makybe Diva being a prime example of an exceptional plodder. Other mares that excelled at middle distances would be represented by Leilani and Light Fingers.
For now, let’s examine the life and racing history of a mare that was a sprint specialist, Storm Queen.
A bay filly foaled in 1963, she was by the fine Irish stud Coronation Boy, himself a 24 wins from 52 starts racer.
The dam was a native name of the Storm Glean, a productive broodmare.
Storm Queen enjoyed the advantages of having T.J. Smith for a trainer, and Roy Higgins, a hoop that was reputed to have a special way with the ladies, for a rider.
With these two estimable persons in her corner, Storm Queen embarked on a rampage as a two-year-old.
Her first race was forgettable, but she then reeled off eight consecutive and attracted the notice of the racing public.
As mentioned previously, Storm Queen was more sprinter than stayer. She never won beyond 1600 metres, and only has four of her major victories at that distance: the 1966 group 2 Moonee Valley Racing Club Moonee Valley Stakes, 1966 Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes, 1966 Group 1 VATC Caulfield Guineas and 1966 and the Victoria Racing Club George Adams Handicap.
At 6 furlongs (1200 metres) she is credited with the 1966 principal SAJC Breeders’ Stakes, 1966 the VATC Merson Cooper Stakes, Group 1 AJC Champagne stakes, and perhaps her most prestigious victory, the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes.
1966 also produced a 7 furlong victory (1400 metres) in the group 3 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes.
She produced one major victory in the 1967 Group 1 VRC Lightning Stakes over 5 furlongs (1000 metres.)
She was retired in 1967 after she was unplaced in the Doncaster Handicap. Her career record was an entirely respectable 13 wins, two second place and one third place finish from 20 starts. Her career prize money total was just a bit beyond $50,000.
She produced no significant progeny, but she was held in such regard that AJC established of the Storm Queen Stakes run at Rosehill Racecourse to honour her in 1979. Restricted to fillies and mares, it was first run over 1900 metres. The following year, 1980, it was elevated to Group 2 status and extended to 2000 metres. In some measure of the respect of the racing public accorded Storm Queen, the race achieved Group 1 status in 1992, where it is on the programme with the Golden Slipper Stakes.
It regularly attracts the best fillies from across the country by offering significant prize money.
Perhaps Storm Queen’s greatest contribution to Australian horse racing is as an emblem for the high esteem Australian punters seem to place on fillies.
