As a tearaway he blew away Zabeel, won the VRC Derby and should of won a Japan Cup

The colt by top class stayer Double Century from sprinting mare Stylish was offered at the Golden Nugget Sale on the Gold Coast in March 1988. Dick Monaghan had gone to the sale to inspect other yearlings, not to buy, but after bidding on another yearling he was waiting on further information when the black horse was led into the ring. Taken with his appearance, the astute Queenslander made the final bid and took the Double Century youngster home for just $6,000. Known for his bold, front-running style he would go on to win quality races like the 1989 AJC Spring Champion Stakes, VRC Victoria Derby and the 1991 AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes. As a 3-year old he also ran a close second to Almaarad in the 1989 W.S. Cox Plate.

Put into training with Noel Doyle in Queensland, "Nugget" as he was known in the stable, showed ability, speeding away to win with his head on his chest by 11 lengths in record time. A month later he repeated the dose, winning with ease by six lengths to a future good performer in Cool Credit who was 5 lengths ahead of the third placed horse. In late January Stylish Century was sent out as the odds on favourite again at Doomben. Instead of leading he sat in third place then moved to second before again racing clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths. In the Listed race he astounded race fans in non only winning by 5 1/2 lengths but in winning ran the fastest time for a 2yo over 1200m ever. On Golden Slipper day the heavens opened and again the track was rain affected. Stylish Century was slowly away and then was checked soon after the start and met intereference again by the 1000m finding himself well back in the field. Stylish Century made some ground to run 8th. A wet track again dulled his brilliance in the AJC Sires Produce and despite being a lot closer in running, he tired to finish well back.

After a spell Stylish Century changed stables and was placed with Bart Cummings with a view to head for the big spring races, with the main aim the VRC Derby. The Cummings stable felt that Stylish Century would not be able to win if ridden as a frontrunner, so tried to teach the colt to settle and run on in races. The new tactics failed, as Stylish Century became too relaxed in the barrier, developing a habit of missing the start. In the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes over 2000m at Randwick, connections instructed jockey Craig Carmody to lead in the race. The change back to leading worked and Stylish Century was a mile clear coming around the turn. In the straight he kicked strongly and stormed home to win by 8 lengths to Stargazer with Procul Harem third. 

In the Cox Plate, Stylish Century at odds of 33/1 kicked up from the wide barrier to lead early. Inside the final 50m Almaarad drew alongside and they went stride for stride to the line. In a head bobbing finish Almaarad nosed out Stylish Century with giant mare Empire Rose running on late to grab third. A week later he lined up in the VRC Derby and was sent out the favourite with Almaarad retired through injury. In the Derby Stylish Century worked to the front early and from then it was a procession. Turning for home he was travelling easily in front and kicked further ahead by the 300m. With an outstanding display he galloped to the line under a hold to win by three lengths from Zamoff with Dr Grace 3rd. As a 3yo he then took on the Melbourne Cup with 47.5kg, but clearly beaten, Stylish Century was eased, finishing well back behind the bulk of the field.

His first clash with Zabeel followed in the Australian Guineas. In the run to the line Zabeel swept to the front to draw away to win by three lengths from Ark Regal with Stylish Century in fourth place. The second clash was in the Autumn Classic at Caulfield. Stylish Century took up his favourite roll in front and raced well clear around the turn. Zabeel tried to give chase but under hands and heels Stylish Century was far too good winning by six lengths from Zabeel. The Alister Clark Stakes was anticipated to determine the superior colt. Stylish Century went to the lead and was still going well in front around the turn from Key Dancer and Zabeel. As they turned for home Zabeel drifted in slightly but joined Stylish Century. The two colts went stride for stride, bumping numerous times in the straight. On the line Zabeel put his head down to grab victory in a photo.

He showed a return to form in the Feehan Stakes racing to the front from the outset only to be run down and defeated by a nose by Better Loosen Up, who was in the best form of his career that spring. He was run down in the Caulfield Stakes and Coongy finishing on the heels of the placegetters before lining up in the 1990 WS Cox Plate. Leading from the outset, Stylish Century was still going well turning for home but in the final stages he was swamped by the classy Better Loosen Up, Sydeston and lightweight 3yo Canny Lad. In the Mackinnon Stakes a week later it was a similar story as he defied the opposition until well into the long Flemington straight where Better Loosen Up got him again close to the line.

With Super Impose's enforced break off the track due to a bleeding attack, Stylish Century and Better Loosen Up were chosen to head to Japan as Australia's two main representatives. Horlicks had shown horses from the region could win, but again bad luck hit Stylish Century. As he was heading to the start jockey Kevin Moses had a problem with the bridle and dismounted to fix it. The black stallion became unsettled and broke free galloping hard around the track before being caught to take his place in the field. He was timed at a near world record pace for a 1000m before being vetted and declared fit to run. Stylish Century jumped in front but settled in second place. In the straight it was obvious  the earlier incident had taken a toll, as Stylish Century dropped back as his nemesis, Better Loosen Up swept away to victory.

A spell followed before returning to Melbourne for a 4th in the Futurity Stakes first up. Three days later he lined up for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick, and back to his best form he led throughout to be too good for Doncaster runner up Royal Creation. After two unplaced runs over shorter distances, Stylish Century took up the frontrunning role in the Chelmsford Stakes but was run down late by Stargazer to finish 3rd. The champions got past him in the straight in the Mackinnon as Let's Elope won from Super Impose and Prince Salieri. As those horses went on to the big Cup, Stylish Century was saved for the Queen Elizabeth and the Sandown Cup. After a third in the Queen Elizabeth Stylish Century defied the opposition to lead throughout in the Sandown Cup. He ran 2nd in the Canterbury Cup after sitting just off the pace and running on in the short straight. Then he returned to the lead in the Rawson Stakes only to be beaten in the last few strides by My Eagle Eye and Rough Habit, finishing a close third.

Next he went to the BMW but injured a tendon dropping back to 8th after being second in the run. Plans to race on in Australia or overseas were brought to an end as Stylish Century was immediately retired and headed to stud in New Zealand at Mapperley Stud for the 1992 season. Retired to stud, he only had moderate success with his best performer being Buster Jones, winner of the 1999 VATC Sandown Stakes. He died in 2003 following a redback spider bite. Stylish Century raced against some of the biggest names of the era, elite superstars that ruled the sport, but he competed admirably with pride and courage as a true champion of the Australian turf.


RACE RECORD - 58: 11-8-7
EARNINGS  - $2,510,250

Spring Champion Stakes (1989)
VRC Derby (1989)
Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1991)