One of the most distinctive horses to run, he was so popular there's even a bar in Brisbane named after him

The Cat, a captivating equine, possessed a distinctive facial marking known as a splash of white, resembling an Indian pony's markings. This unique characteristic contributed to his allure and fascination in his time on the turf. The brilliant chestnut gelding also boasted four white stockings and garnered significant attention in Australia due to his distinctive appearance and exceptional racing style. His popularity even led to the establishment of a dedicated fan website. 2024 marked 18 years since Apache Cat won the Group 1 Australian Guineas in 2006. Add to that a memorable sprinting career on the track, and he was a horse not to be forgotten.

Apache Cat (foaled 2002) is an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who had 43 starts for 19 wins (including eight Group One victories) and was placed on another 11 occasions for just under $4.6 million in prize money. He was born and bred at Chatswood Stud in Victoria. He is a strikingly marked, baldy faced, chestnut gelding by the shuttle stallion, Lion Cavern (USA) from Tennessee Blaze (by Whiskey Road USA). Apache Cat was bred by Mr P.F. Radford and Ms R Lawrie of Victoria. He made a name for himself early in his career winning his first race as a two-year-old and then winning the Australian Guineas, his first Group 1, at Flemington.

When he switched to sprinting, his career soared. With Corey Brown in the irons, Apache Cat managed to win five consecutive Group 1 races in 2008. The Cat won the Group one Lightning Stakes over 1000m at Flemington in February 2008, then very quicky followed up by the Australian Stakes at the Valley and the Gr.1 TJ Smith Stakes in April over 1200m. In May 2008, Apache Cat scored his fourth and fifth consecutive Group One wins in the BTC Cup and in the Doomben 10,000 respectively at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane, Queensland. Apache Cat was on a hot streak and displaying his sheer sprinting class over a short period during the first half of that year. He also won the Cadbury Guineas. Apache Cat's Group One streak matched the record set by T.J. Smith's Champion Tulloch, who was the last horse to win five majors in succession by claiming the Rosehill Guineas, AJC Derby, Caulfield Guineas, Caulfield Cup and Victoria Derby in 1957. Apache Cat was ridden by jockey Corey Brown in all five Group One victories of 2008, who rated the star sprinter the best he has ridden in his career.

After four defeats (two unplaced) to start his 2008/09 season, Apache Cat bounced back to form in February 2009 to win his seventh Group One in the Australia Stakes again. At his next race start Apache Cat finished third behind Takeover Target in the Group One T J Smith Stakes at Randwick racecourse. On 9 May 2009, Apache Cat lost no admirers when he just failed to record a second successive win in the weight-for-age BTC Cup event. Two weeks later, the sprinter etched his name into turf history after scoring back-to-back Doomben 10,000 wins at Doomben Racecourse.

Apart from his eight G1 victories, he won four Group 2 races, four Group 3 and two Listed races. On 16 December 2009 trainer Greg Eurell retired Apache Cat after the horse sustained a leg fracture during the running of the 2009 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin racecourse, Hong Kong. Apache Cat now lives at Living Legends horse retirement home in Melbourne, with other champion racehorses. Turning 22 later this year, Apache Cat is still one of the most popular Living Legends to make the rounds of events and race days, and will be on course at Flemington on Australian Guineas Day. A racing bar located in the Treasury Casino in Brisbane is named after him, which is a rare allegiance to the star galloper. His racing photos are plastered alongside Takeover Target and Maykbe Diva within the establishment.

RACE RECORD - 43:19-4-7

EARNINGS - A$4.53 million

Cadbury Guineas (G1) (2006)

Lightning Stakes (G1) (2008)

Australia Stakes (G1) (2008, 2009)

T J Smith Stakes (G1) (2008)

BTC Cup (G1) (2008)

Doomben 10,000 (G1) (2008, 2009)