She was stunning as a juvenile and wiped the floor with her competitors

It is nearly 40 years since legendary trainer Tommy Smith produced a remarkable little steel grey filly to rewrite the record books. Her name was Bounding Away. Bred, owned and trained by Smith, Bounding Away by Biscay (Star Kingdom) from the mare, Who Can Say remains the only two-year-old in Australian racing history to be crowned Horse of the Year. It is a feat that may never be repeated.

She demonstrated exceptional talent as a young performer during a relatively ordinary year for the senior divisions. However, her record of achievement holds her in very special company. In a racetrack career that lasted 17 months, Bounding Away had 21 starts for nine wins and six seconds. She amassed $1,483,650 in prizemoney, becoming the first filly or mare to break the $1 million barrier in Australasia. After winning at Randwick over 1000m at her debut on January 25, 1986, Bounding Away took out the Blue Diamond Prelude in February.

At just her third career start, she produced a dominant performance to win the Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes, living up to her name and charging away. However, pin up girl Bounding Away was the hottest of unplaced favourites in the Queensland Oaks classic. Whether wet or dry, handicap or set weights, sprint or staying race, Bounding Away was a wonderfully versatile racehorse. Her Group 1 successes totalled six, with the Golden Slipper, Champagne Stakes, Flight Stakes, Orlando Wines Classic (now Coolmore Classic) and AJC Oaks, all following on from her Blue Diamond victory. In the 1986 Golden Slipper race, Bounding Away emerged as the standout performer, captivating the attention of those who relish exhilarating and closely contested victories. Bounding away narrowly took the lead and sprinted away within the last few strides to grab the win. Tommy Smith became the first person to be the owner, trainer, and breeder of the race winner. Mick Dittman, the former great jockey has a special place in his heart for the wonderful filly Bounding Away, the best juvenile he claims to have ever ridden - his second Slipper winner. The jockey won six Group ones on the talented grey filly.

Bounding Away's notable career commenced with a victory in the Blue Diamond Stakes held at Caulfield. The esteemed trainer, T.J. Smith, regarded her as the most exceptional filly or mare he had the privilege of training. Bounding Away sadly had little luck at stud - producing only two foals. Only one of which made it to the track - Group II Queen Of The Turf Stakes winner In A Bound, dam of this colt's lightly raced two times winning Calle Flora dam who has already been represented by five winners, including the multiple city winner Handspun.

RACE RECORD - 21: 9-6-0

EARNINGS - $1,483,650

Blue Diamond Prelude

Blue Diamond Stakes

Golden Slipper

Champagne Stakes

Coolmore Classic

AJC Oaks