Wiggle was the last horse to win the Stradbroke Handicap as a two-year-old in 1958

The racehorse Wiggle was foaled in 1955 and was by the sire Rego out of the mare Sweet Nymph (by Beau Port). Wiggle's owner was former jockey Bill Godby who is best remembered for taking Comus out to a 45 length lead in the 1926 Melbourne Cup before finishing second last to Spearfelt. Wiggle was breed by Aberdeen Stud NSW, sold for 360 guineas and trained by Ron Shirtliff from Cootamundra. Wiggle was one of Australia’s greatest fillies and she held a special place in racegoers hearts because she was able to do the undoable. Wiggle arrived at Ron Shirtliff’s stables in 1957 as a keyed-up screwball that lashed out at her own shadow and it took all of her trainer’s horse skills to set the filly straight. Shirtliff transformed Wiggle, a cheap yearling purchase by her owner Bill Godby into a remarkable competitor who broke records winning some of Australia’s best races, before going to America where she was also successful. Wiggle, was the last two-year-old to win Brisbane’s premier race, the Stradbroke Handicap.

With achievements including her historic victory in the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm in 1958, Wiggle earned herself a champion tag. Wiggle wrote her name in turf records as just one of five 2yo’s to win the Gr.1 Stradbroke and one of a pair of juvenile fillies that have succeeded in the Group 1 feature. Wiggle was the first, and remains the only of her age and gender to win the Stradbroke over 1400m with all previous 63 runnings over 1200m. She outclassed top older sprinters in the Stradbroke to win by 21/2 lengths. With Bill Camer in the saddle, Wiggle was almost put out of the race when checked behind front runner Yahabeebe, but Camer kept his cool and sent Wiggle rocketing forward. The 2yo carrying just 46.5kg swept past Yahabeebe and drew clear. Yahabeebe (57kg), a top Kiwi sprinter was 2nd with locals Duchesne & Grifite dead-heating for 3rd. The only other 2yo filly to win the Stradbroke was Sweetheart, who won in 1899. Other successful 2yos were Fitz Grafton (1903), Line Gun (1913) & Amberdown (1916).

Wiggle won three 2yo races in Sydney by big spaces, before winning the Champagne Stakes (1200m) by aix lengths. At her first try against older horses she won the Ahern Stakes (1400m) at Doomben en route to the Stradbroke. At three, Wiggle beat the Golden Slipper & AJC Derby winner Skyline in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) then in Melbourne, ridden by Ted Preston, Wiggle won the Edward Manifold Stakes by six lengths, the Caulfield Guineas & Linlithgow Stakes. Shirtliff then tried Wiggle over a middle distance and she won four times at 2000m, including three at WFA - Queens Plate, CM Lloyd, Kewney and the Alister Clark Stakes.

In Australia, Wiggle raced 26 times, winning 14, then after the 1959 autumn she was exported to America where she raced as Wiggle II, having 29 starts for 6 wins including the prestigious Matron Handicap. She won the 6 furlongs Interborough Handicap at Aqueduct (New York) on October 24, 1960 where she was ridden by the champion jockey of the time Eddie Arcaro winning by 2 lengths. She broke the track Record 1:21:2, Arlington Park at 7 furlongs (1400m) and the Track Record 1:08:3. Del Mar at 6 furlongs (1200m). At the conclusion of her American career she sent to sent to France.

Records are sketchy, however Wiggle had about 10 foals, and her winners included: Brown Gravy (Bold Reason), Lady Wiggle (Pretendre), Nice Balance (High Echelon) winner of Gr.3 Delaval Stakes. He stood in Australia but was sparsely used. His winners included Commercial Balance winner of the Canterbury Cup and Sir Wiggle (Sadair) winner of Westchester Stakes and 5 times stakes-placed. He was a reasonably successful sire, his best son being Diagramatic who won twice at stakes level with seven stakes placings and stood at stud in NZ where he sired about 10 stakes-winners including Tidal Light, winner of the NZ Derby.

RACE RECORD - 55: 21-4-2

AUSTRALIA - 24: 14-4-2

EARNINGS - AUS £29,774

$US116,305

Champagne Stakes

Stradbroke Handicap

Hobartville Stakes

Edward Manifold Stakes

Queens Plate

Alister Clark Stakes

Caulfield Guineas

Linlithgow Stakes

Marton Handicap (USA)

Interborough Handicap (USA)