Horny Harry
17-09-2002, 14:24
Whoever said winning isn't everything might have had American racehorse Zippy Chippy in mind.
The eleven-year-old gelding yesterday failed at his 96th start and kept his perfect record of 96 losses intact.
However, Zippy Chippy is still a long way from breaking the thoroughbred record for consecutive losses.
That honour rests with former New South Wales-based mare Ouroene, who remained a maiden after 124 starts between 1976 and 1983.
Sadly, Ouroene's story came to a tragic end when trainer George Chiotis sent her to Brisbane in a final attempt to win a race.
The ten-year-old snapped a foreleg in trackwork at Eagle Farm, and Chiotis reportedly wept and cradled her when she was put down.
However, Ouroene did have a few career highlights.
She raced against many other record breakers including Kingston Town.
Chiotis reasoned that with most owners running scared of the King, he could pick up some money by running fourth or fifth behind the champion.
Zippy Chippy on the other hand has not had many - that is any - highlights.
But that has not stopped the biggest loser in US thoroughbred racing history from becoming a cult figure.
Once, he nearly won! However, he turned his head, savaged the eventual winner in the shadows of the post, and finished a neck away in second.
The gelding's bad temper and poor barrier behaviour has seen him banned from nearly every track in America - bar one.
"We are banning Zippy for the protection of the betting public," said the officials.
The decision thwarted Zippy Chippy's chances of breaking our world record but owner-trainer Felix Monserrate continues to race the gelding at the Northampton Fair track in Massachusetts, which stages picnic races a few times a year.
The British have also tried and failed to reach our benchmark.
Quixall Crossett had the prefect record of 103 consecutive defeats before he was retired earlier this year.
As the steeplechaser's losses piled up, he became an English folk hero, equipped with his own fan club and web site.
His owners, Ted and Joy Caine, decided to pull the plug on chasing the record and gave the 16-year-old a well-deserved early retirement.
Winning might not be everything but Australia should be proud of its success.
The Poms and Yanks have beaten us at many things but at least we can say we have the world's worst horse.
Top
By: Nat Wallace - Monday, 16 September 2002
The eleven-year-old gelding yesterday failed at his 96th start and kept his perfect record of 96 losses intact.
However, Zippy Chippy is still a long way from breaking the thoroughbred record for consecutive losses.
That honour rests with former New South Wales-based mare Ouroene, who remained a maiden after 124 starts between 1976 and 1983.
Sadly, Ouroene's story came to a tragic end when trainer George Chiotis sent her to Brisbane in a final attempt to win a race.
The ten-year-old snapped a foreleg in trackwork at Eagle Farm, and Chiotis reportedly wept and cradled her when she was put down.
However, Ouroene did have a few career highlights.
She raced against many other record breakers including Kingston Town.
Chiotis reasoned that with most owners running scared of the King, he could pick up some money by running fourth or fifth behind the champion.
Zippy Chippy on the other hand has not had many - that is any - highlights.
But that has not stopped the biggest loser in US thoroughbred racing history from becoming a cult figure.
Once, he nearly won! However, he turned his head, savaged the eventual winner in the shadows of the post, and finished a neck away in second.
The gelding's bad temper and poor barrier behaviour has seen him banned from nearly every track in America - bar one.
"We are banning Zippy for the protection of the betting public," said the officials.
The decision thwarted Zippy Chippy's chances of breaking our world record but owner-trainer Felix Monserrate continues to race the gelding at the Northampton Fair track in Massachusetts, which stages picnic races a few times a year.
The British have also tried and failed to reach our benchmark.
Quixall Crossett had the prefect record of 103 consecutive defeats before he was retired earlier this year.
As the steeplechaser's losses piled up, he became an English folk hero, equipped with his own fan club and web site.
His owners, Ted and Joy Caine, decided to pull the plug on chasing the record and gave the 16-year-old a well-deserved early retirement.
Winning might not be everything but Australia should be proud of its success.
The Poms and Yanks have beaten us at many things but at least we can say we have the world's worst horse.
Top
By: Nat Wallace - Monday, 16 September 2002