Storm Queen, Australian Champion Thoroughbred Racehorse

Storm Queen was a bay filly trained by the great Bart Cummings. 

Storm Queen blazed the Australian racetracks in her first year of racing, winning eight races in a row.

1966 was the best year for Storm Queen who went on to win most of the major stake races with jockey Roy Higgins in the saddle.

Storm Queen By Coronation Boy From Storm Gleam

She began her racing career under the watchful eyes of trainer Bart Cummings. Although her debut race wasn't much to talk about, Storm Queen went on to win eight races in succession as a two-year-old.

Most of her victories were during the 1966 season which included the 6-furlong Golden Slipper Stakes, which was decided in a photo finish between Storm Queen and Academy Star who battled it out neck-to-neck in the home straight. Storm Queen won by a head, with Very Merry finishing third.

The other 6-furlong races won by the fiery mare during the year were the SAJC Blood Horse Breeders' Stakes, VATC Merson Cooper Stakes, and the AJC Champagne Stakes.

Sydney Autumn Carnival

At the Sydney Autumn Carnival, Storm Queen also won the AJC Champagne Stakes over 6 furlongs. She also ran the distance of 7 furlongs, winning the VRC Sires' Produce Stakes in the same year.

Storm Queen won a series of mile races in 1966 as well which included the MVRC Moonee Valley Stakes, VRC Edward Maniford Stakes, VATC Caulfield Guineas, and VRC George Adams Handicap. In 1967, Storm Queen won the VRC Lightning Stakes over 5 furlongs, but failed to make a placing in the AJC Doncaster Handicap. Among the jockeys to taste success with Storm Queen were Roy Higgins and John Miller.

Retires

Storm Queen was retired from racing in 1967 with a record of 13 wins from 20 starts, which included 2 second places and 1 third.

The Group 1 Storm Queen Stakes for three-year-old fillies is held every year in April at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, on the day of the Golden Slipper Stakes.

The 2000 meters race holds prize money of $400,000 and attracts the best fillies across the country. The race is a run up to the prestigious Group 1 AJC Australian Oaks over 2,400 meters.

Some horses compete for a double at the carnival with Serenade Rose achieving it in 2006, followed by Heavenly Glow in 2008.