Named by Clarke Anthony Shields, 'Double Century was a notable Australian

Thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are c ...

race horse Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic pr ...

. A son of Century (AUS) from the mare Hello Love (AUS), he was foaled in 1975 and was trained throughout his career by Ron McDonell. Double Century was part owned by Clarke Anthony Shields and Ron McDonell.

Racing record

Double Century raced in each of his 2YO, 3YO and 4YO seasons but remarkable every one of his wins was recorded in his 3YO year. His best ‘win’ was the 1979

AJC Derby AJC may refer to: * Agreement on Journey Continuation, an agreement between European rail operators to allow passengers in case of a missed connection * Allen Jack+Cottier (AJ+C), an architectural practice * American Jewish Committee, an advocacy ...

which he won by ¾ of a length in race record time but was subsequently demoted to second place following a protest. The race was awarded to the second placed horse, the champion

Dulcify Dulcify (14 October 1975– 6 November 1979) was a New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred racehorse. His British-bred sire was the 1970 Irish 2,000 Guineas winner, Decies (GB), a grandson of Pharis (FR), the very important French sire whom ''Thoroughb ...

. He was also unlucky to encounter another champion in Kingston Town, running second to him in the 1980 Sydney Cup and

Tancred Stakes H E Tancred Stakes is an Australian Turf Club Group One, Group 1 Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race for horses three years old and older, run over 2,400 metres at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney, Australia. The prize money for the event ...

. In the same season he also ran second to

Ming Dynasty The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last ort ...

in the

Australian Cup The Australian Cup is a Victoria Racing Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race for horses three years old and older, held under Weight for Age conditions, over a distance of 2000 metres, at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia in March du ...

. Despite his string of second placings in good races he was successful in three Group 1 races as a 3YO, victorious in the 1979

Sydney Cup The Sydney Cup is an Australian Turf Club Group 1 Thoroughbred handicap horse race, for horses three years old and older, run over 3200 metres at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia in the autumn during the ATC Championships series and it is ...

Queensland Derby The Queensland Derby is a Brisbane Racing Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds at, set weights, run over a distance of 2400 metres at Eagle Farm Racecourse, Brisbane, Australia in June during the Queensland Winter Racing Carniv ...

and the

Grand Prix Stakes The Grand Prix Stakes is a Brisbane Racing Club Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race held under set weights with penalties conditions, for horses aged three years old, over a distance of 2200 metres held at Eagle Farm Racecourse, Brisbane, Australia d ...

Stud record

Following retirement, he stood at Balfour Stud and later at Glen Avon Lodge. His best progeny was Stylish Century who won the 1989

Victoria Derby The Victoria Derby, also known as the Penfolds Victoria Derby, is a Victoria Racing Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held under Set Weights conditions over a distance of 2,500 metres at Flemington Racecourse, in Melbour ...

and

Spring Champion Stakes The Spring Champion Stakes is an Australian Turf Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds at Set Weights over a distance of 2000 metres at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia in October. Prize money is A$2,000,000. History Th ...

as well as the 1991 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Apart from Stylish Century, Double Century also produced black type winners like Miss Stephenson (Carnival Handicap at Doomben and Easter Cup at Eagle Farm), Dual Scope (Brisbane Handicap at Eagle Farm), Bigamy ( Carbine Club Stakes at Randwick) and Burglar of Bamff (Ipswich Cup). Double Century died in 1997 aged 21.

References

*{{cite book , last1=Pierce , first1=Peter , title=From Go to Whoa : a compendium of the Australian turf , publisher=Crossbow Pub , isbn=0646190822 , page=67 1975 racehorse births 1997 racehorse deaths Racehorses bred in Australia Racehorses trained in Australia Sydney Cup winners