Group One treble – #2: Farnan’s Golden Slipper
Farnan draws clear of Away Game to complete the 2020 Golden Slipper G1 quinella for Arrowfield sires Not A Single Doubt & Snitzel. (PHOTO: Bronwen Healy)
The Golden Slipper has featured often in Arrowfield’s history over the past 35 years, but the 2020 edition is without doubt one of the most popular and most unusual Slipper victories in that period.
Not A Single Doubt’s son Farnan earned favouritism for the necessarily crowdless 64th running of the $3.5 million feature with a near-perfect formline, and he delivered a perfect performance from gate 12, taking early control of the race and never letting it go.
Snitzel’s outstanding daughter Away Game threw down the best challenge and momentarily seemed close to levelling up with the colt, but Farnan had too much in reserve and powered clear to win by 1.5 lengths in 1:10.19.
Away Game’s owners, trainers & admirers can only be proud of her effort, and the 1-2 finish by progeny of two Redoute’s Choice sons neatly echoes the great sire’s own Golden Slipper quinella, when Stratum defeated Fashions Afield in 2005.
Arrowfield’s influence extended to third-placed Mamaragan (by Snitzel’s son Wandjina) and Stud graduate & Blue Diamond winner Tagaloa (by Lord Kanaloa), who was fourth.
Today we saw one of the most remarkable Golden Slippers ever run – a race that was watched the world over, but just a few hundred people on track…
Farnan wins the 2020 edition – to give Adrian Bott and @HugeBowman their 1st #GoldenSlipper, & @GaiWaterhouse1 her 7th! Amazing! pic.twitter.com/ZpwZf0OQXK
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 21, 2020
It was a milestone seventh Slipper win for training legend Gai Waterhouse, and the first for both her Tulloch Lodge partner Adrian Bott, and jockey Hugh Bowman, who was full of praise for Farnan.
“I’ve been lucky enough to ride some really good horses over my career as everyone knows, but I haven’t ridden a better two-year-old.
“Just his mannerisms and his professionalism that is one thing, but his ability is another.
“I could sense the pressure coming at the 200 metres and I hadn’t asked for full throttle but when I did, my word he responded and responded in style.”
The result was also notable for Aquis Farm, co-owner of Farnan with Phoenix Thoroughbred and part of Away Game’s ownership group.
“Mate, you finally got your Golden Slipper winner! So proud of you Not A Single Doubt, you’re an absolute superstar!” Massive thanks & congratulations to Farnan, the great @GaiWaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott, @AquisFarm, @PhoenixThoroug1 & @HugeBowman! #discovergreatness pic.twitter.com/gz2pPz3aIF
— Arrowfield Stud (@ArrowfieldStud) March 21, 2020
Farnan is Not A Single Doubt’s 12th Group 1 winner, and the third to achieve that status at two, after Blue Diamond winners Miracles Of Life and Extreme Choice.
After nine attempts in nine years, Arrowfield’s “Little Engine That Could” has finally got his Golden Slipper, and taken the lead on the Australian 2YO Sires’ Premiership.
