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Royal Academy (USA)
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A nicely made gelding, Royal Academy was one of the favourites for the 2001 Golden Slipper, and because of his unbeaten record, many tipped him to be the horse capable of giving his trainer Gai Waterhouse her first Golden Slipper win. Gai actually trained 5 starters in the race, because in addition to Royal Academy, she provided the eventual race favourite Excellerator (2nd - now he is a NICE colt!), the winning filly Ha Ha, as well as Red Hannigan (3rd) and Newquay. Although Royal Academy proved somewhat disappointing on the day, finishing only 6th, Gai created history by training the trifecta, with Excellerator and Red Hannigan running second and third respectively to Ha Ha. Royal Courtship looked to have gone over the top a little bit when he was beaten by some 4 lengths at his next start on a very heavy track, when he ran second to the very talented Quest for Fame colt Viscount in the AJC Sires Produce Stakes. Royal Courtship won the Todman Slipper Trial and the Kindergarten Stakes before he met with defeat for the first time in the Slipper. He was ridden in the Slipper by Brian York. |
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