The young colt simply annihilated the opposition in the Spring of 1984

Red Anchor's accomplishments in the mid-1980s are noteworthy, but for those who witnessed them firsthand, his achievements were truly extraordinary. Car dealer, John Gigante was almost getting out of horse ownership in the 1980's after 10 years, before Paul Sutherland phoned him to come down and have a look at a couple of horses. He showed him Regal Coronet, a Vice Regal horse, and another, Red Anchor, from the sire Sea Anchor by Decoy Girl. Sutherland offered the young horse for $30,000, but the wryly John Gigante said he'd put down $3000 and pay the balance if he runs well in his first few races. After this unusual transaction, Red Anchor ran a solid 3rd at Randwick over 1200m. Three months later he went into the Pago Pago Stakes, where he ran 2nd to Inspired. He followed that with a 2nd in the AJC Sires. He then contested the 1984 Champagne Stakes where he knuckled down to beat Victory Prince.

At his next start he won the QTC Sires Produce and that's when the controversy began. Trainer, Paul Sutherland wanted to bypass the Melbourne Spring carnival and prepare him for the AJC Derby in Autumn, as he believed the galloper Red Anchor was still immature and developing physically. He was an amply build horse with flat heels and believed a Melbourne campaign would put too much pressure on his young body and lead to fetlock and tendon problems. Gigante thought Melbourne was the ideal target and believed leaving him in the paddock was a foolish move. Gigante got his way by transferring the colt to trainer, Tommy Smith and his first outing that spring was in the Roman Consul Stakes. Red Anchor set down to a ding-dong battle with Royal Troubedor trained by Sutherland and prevailed near the line in fine style.

In the Moonee Valley Stakes, Red Anchor burst down the outside to win effortlessly by 1.5L. Mitt Dittman didn't think the horse would be suited by the tight turning Valley circuit, so Gary Willets rode the horse to victory. Dittman jumped back on for the Caulfield Stakes and the punters were keen to back the horse into short odds. Red Anchor hit the lead on the corner and shot away at the 200m mark to walk in by four lengths. The mighty Red Anchor then took on the Cox Plate and streaked away from the turn in another demolition job, winning by a length over Street Cafe, but it was much easier then it appeared. No other horse had completed the Caulfield Guineas, Cox Plate and VRC Derby treble, so there was plenty of anticipation leading into the 3yo staying feature over 2500m. At the Flemington clock tower, Dittman pushed the button and with one clip he shot away, four, five then six lengths in front at the post.

Red Anchor returned to racing in the Autumn of 1985, winning the Apollo Stakes at his only start. Suspensory ligament problems then forced his early exit from racing. He may have beaten Spirit of Kingston and gone on to win $1 million in stakes had he continued, as the filly went on to win the remaining feature races. However, he can claim six straight wins in some of biggest races on the Australian racing calendar. Paul Sutherland was possibly proved right, but the star colt had swept all aside in the the spring of 1984. Red Anchor was retired to stud where he achieved moderate success, notably siring Navy Seal, the winner of the 1994 AJC Epsom Handicap. In 1985, he was bestowed with the prestigious Australian Horse of the Year accolade. Red Anchor's life came to an end in 2001.

RACE RECORD - 14: 9-4-1

EARNINGS - A$773,880

Champagne Stakes (1984)

W. S. Cox Plate (1984)

Caulfield Guineas (1984)

Victoria Derby (1984)

Moonee Valley Stakes (1984)

QTC Sires Produce Stakes (1984)

Apollo Stakes (1985)

Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year (1985)