Hyperno was a popular racehorse until his involvement in the Dulcify Cup tragedy

Hyperno (1973–2002) was a Thoroughbred racehorse foaled in New Zealand. He was a wayward but brilliant galloper that won the 1979 Melbourne Cup and other group and listed races. He was sired by Rangong (GB) out of Mikarla (NZ) by Persian Garden II (GB). He was trained in his early years at Caulfield by Geoff Murphy. Hyperno's career got off to a slow start with only 2 runs as a two year old. However, the gelding began to peak in his third year, bringing home six titles from fifteen starts. He was described as a ‘psycho' in his early days.

A dispute over training methods between Murphy and Hyperno's owners in 1978 led to the master Bart Cummings taking over as trainer. The winner of a string of group and listed races throughout his career, Hyperno won the 1979 Melbourne Cup Cup with jockey Harry White aboard. Hyperno's 1979 Melbourne victory was one of the closest in history, winning by a nose form Salamander after a mid-race collision with champion Dulcify that shattered his competitor’s pelvis and led to his untimely death. The great stayer Dulcify had to be put down following this incident that shocked racegoers that day. On the home turn, Hyperno cruised up from fifth place to take the lead from RedNose. On Salamander, Roy Higgins was riding a brilliant and lucky race. He never left the rail, and every run he needed opened up for him. Salamander scooted through on Hyperno's inside before Hyperno and Salamander crossed the line together, and nobody in the grandstand could call the result. The judge found Hyperno had scored by an inch, officially a short half-head. The photo also showed Salamander had one ear pricked like something had caught his attention as he and Hyperno went over the line. It was a moment of triumph and tragedy in equal doses featuring in the 1979 edition of Melbourne Cup.

The following years Hyperno continued to win a number of Group races which include the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1979-80), Blamey Stakes (1980-81), Australian Cup (1981), St George Stakes (1981) and Rawsons Stakes (1981). His earnings for the era were considered quite phenomenal. In 1981, Hyperno was voted Atralian Horse of the Year and enjoyed a celebrated retirement at the rural property of his Melbourne Cup rider Harry White, where he died in 2002.

RACE RECORD - 76: 20-14-13

EARNINGS - A$722,145

Newcastle Gold Cup (1977)

The BMW Stakes (1978)

C F Orr Stakes (1978)

Melbourne Cup (1979)

VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1979, 1980)

Blamey Stakes (1980, 1981)

Australian Cup (1981)

Rawson Stakes (1981)