A giant-sized mare who captured the hearts and imagination of Australasian racegoers with her wonderful staying prowess.

The undoubted highlight of her career was a dramatic win in the 1988 Melbourne Cup in which she was ridden by teenage jockey Tony Allen. The combination had to do it the hard way but the courage and long frame of Big Rosy came through on the day, much to the delight of 93,651 racegoers who had made her favourite the 3200m epic staying contest.

Her trainer, Laurie Laxon, gave her the perfect preparation for the Melbourne Cup including an easy win in the MacKinnon Stakes just three days before the big one at Flemington. The Melbourne Cup triumph was a dream result for part ownerbreeder Fred Bodle who had devoted many years to the breeding industry. Her Melbourne Cup win represented a weight-carrying record for a mare in the race to that time.

Statistics

1982 chestnut mare

Sir Tristram-Summer Fleur by Sovereign Edition

Breeder: Whakanui Stud Limited

Owner: Whakanui Stud Limited

Trainer: Laurie Laxon (New Zealand)

Race Record: 48 starts, 9 wins, 4 seconds, 4 thirds

Prize Money: Au$1,727,400 and NZ$242,325

Group 1 wins: Melbourne Cup, MacKinnon Stakes