Cover image courtesy of Freedman Racing
In 1992, when the delightful mare Mannerism was going around, it was a big deal to be a million-dollar earner. At that time, certain Group 1 purses were worth only $200,000, so when Mannerism reached the millionaire’s mark that year, it was a big deal.
In the end, she was closer to $2 million by the time of her retirement. She won 13 races for $1.86 million, and her seven Group wins included four Group 1s.
However, it was her 1992 Caulfield Cup victory that would forever paint her greatness, and it was a victory that would forever chase jockey Shane Dye.
The track at Caulfield that day was relatively loose, which suited the 5-year-old Mannerism and her 20-year-old apprentice rider Damien Oliver. The pair was $9 on-course and, in the straight, they found themselves in a two-way tussle with the race favourite Veandercross (NZ) (Crossways {GB}).
Watch: 5-year-old Mannerism and 20-year-old Damien Oliver win the G1 Caulfield Cup of 1992
Mannerism argued with the gelding all the way to the line, prevailing by just a short half-head in the final stride. It was an expensive result for Shane Dye aboard Veandercross who, by most accounts, went ‘too wide, too fast and too early’.
It was a famous victory for Mannerism in a race that was all about famous victories, and it wasn’t an isolated event in her brilliant career.
Lee Freedman got the very best out of this mare on many occasions.
That era, too, wasn’t short of its legends. Mannerism raced against the likes of Planet Ruler (Kaoru Star), Super Impose (NZ) (Imposing), Schillaci (Salieri {USA}), Rough Habit (NZ) (Roughcast {USA}) and Naturalism (NZ) (Palace Music {USA}).
Amyntor (Fr) | Stood at Craigielea Stud
Mannerism was bred in the spring of 1987 by the late Ed Barty and the Knight family of Oakford Farm, Victoria. She was a daughter of the French sire Amyntor (Fr), who stood at Craigielea Stud near Kilmore, from the Knightly Manner (USA) mare Northwood Manner.
Mannerism was sold as a yearling to Barrie Griffiths and, when she retired in 1994, she had a very good career in the breeding barn. From 12 foals she produced the Group winners Dandify (Danehill {USA}) and Manner Hill.
In 2007, at the age of 20, Mannerism was with Jim Fleming at Tyreel Stud. In June that year, she went through a Select catalogue at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, selling to John Muir for $185,000 and then moving to the pretty surrounds of Milburn Creek Stud.
Mannerism late in her life at Milburn Creek | Image courtesy of Milburn Creek Stud
Muir was willing to take a risk on the grand old Mannerism because she had been sex-scanned in-foal with a Fastnet Rock filly, who later became the unraced Point Piper.
Muir got little return on his Mannerism investment, but it mattered little because the old mare had a good story and a great legacy. Mannerism died at Milburn Creek on October 24, 2016, at the sweet age of 28.
