Horse Racing

When trainer Gai Waterhouse declared that Pierro would win the 2012 Golden Slipper after his debut victory the previous spring, many wrote it off as typical Gai Waterhouse puff.

But those punters who listened were rewarded in the autumn as the son of Lonhro earned a spot in the history books. Not only did he win the Golden Slipper but he cemented his name in racing folklore as he became the first horse since Dance Hero in 2004 to claim the two-year-old triple crown.

After kicking off his dominant autumn campaign with wins in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes and the Todman Stakes, the son of Lonhro stamped his dominance as the best juvenile in the country as he went on to win the Group 1 Golden Slipper, Sires’ Produce Stakes and the Champagne Stakes.

Remarkably, in a number of his six unbeaten starts Pierro did not start as favourite but punters who remained faithful were rewarded time and time again. The most hyped clash during his astonishing two-year-old career came in the Sires’ Produce Stakes when he took on the previously unbeaten and much-hyped half-brother to Black Caviar, All Too Hard. Despite the hype, Pierro was too good again as he finished two lengths ahead of his rival.

The spring of 2012 is likely to feature many clashes between the star colts and will be a true test of Pierro as a racehorse. Many horses struggle with the transition from two-year-old to three-year-old racing but the youngster will have to be at the top of his game with his high profile trainer aiming him at both the Cox Plate and the Caulfield Guineas.