Editing Slip Anchor

{{Short description|British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox racehorse
| horsename = Slip Anchor 
| image_name = [[File:Owner Gillian, Lady Howard de Walden.svg|120px]]
| caption = Racing silks of Lord Howard de Walden
| sire = [[Shirley Heights (horse)|Shirley Heights]]
| grandsire = [[Mill Reef]]
| dam = Sayonara 
| damsire =  Birkhahn
| sex = [[Stallion]]
| foaled = 5 April 1982
| country = Great Britain
| colour = [[Bay (horse)|Bay]]
| breeder = [[John Scott-Ellis, 9th Baron Howard de Walden#Plantation Stud|Plantation Stud]]
| owner = [[John Scott-Ellis, 9th Baron Howard de Walden|Lord Howard de Walden]]
| trainer = [[Henry Cecil]]
| record = 9: 4-3-1
| earnings =  [[Pound sterling|£]]296,722<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pedigreequery.com/slip+anchor |title=Slip Anchor's pedigree and partial racing stats |publisher=Pedigreequery.com |access-date=2013-05-11}}</ref>
| race =  [[Newmarket Stakes|Heathorn Stakes]] (1985)<br>[[Lingfield Derby Trial]] (1985)<br>[[Epsom Derby]] (1985)
| awards= [[Timeform]] rating 136<br>Top-rated European Racehorse (1985)<br>Timeform top-rated racehorse (1985)
| honours =  
| updated= 2 January 2010
}}
'''Slip Anchor''' (1982&ndash;2011) was a British [[Thoroughbred]] [[Horse racing|racehorse]] best known for winning the 1985 [[Epsom Derby]] by seven [[horse length|lengths]]. After showing some promise as a two-year-old, he showed substantial improvement in the spring of 1985, winning the Derby Trial at [[Lingfield Park Racecourse]] by ten lengths before recording a rare start-to-finish win in the Derby. He was rated the best racehorse in Europe in 1985. His subsequent career was disrupted by injury, and he finished second in his other three races before being retired to stud. He had some success as a breeding stallion and died in 2011.

Slip Anchor was the fifth Epsom Derby winner whose sire ([[Shirley Heights (horse)|Shirley Heights]]) and paternal grandsire ([[Mill Reef]]) were themselves winners of Britain's premier classic.

==Background==
Slip Anchor, was a "tall, rangy"<ref name="Timeform1985"/> bay horse with an irregular white [[star (horse marking)|star]] on his forehead in the shape of a lightning bolt. He was bred by [[John Scott-Ellis, 9th Baron Howard de Walden|Lord Howard de Walden]] in whose [[apricot (colour)|apricot]] colours he competed throughout his racing career. Slip Anchor was sent into training with [[Henry Cecil]] at his Warren Place stable in [[Newmarket, Suffolk|Newmarket]] and was ridden in all of his major races by the American jockey [[Steve Cauthen]].

Slip Anchor was sired by the 1978 Derby winner, [[Shirley Heights (horse)|Shirley Heights]]. His dam was Sayonara, a German-bred mare who produced several other winners including [[Lancashire Oaks]] winner Sandy Island.<ref name="bloodlines1">{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Families/Family16c.htm |title=Thoroughbred Bloodlines – Little Agnes – Family 16-c |publisher=Bloodlines.net |access-date=2013-05-10}}</ref>

==Racing career==
As a two-year-old in 1984, Slip Anchor finished fourth on his debut. In October, he ran in a ten [[furlong]] race at [[Nottingham Racecourse]], and, despite showing inexperience ("running green"), he won by four lengths from Rushad. At the end of the year, he was given a rating of 91 by Timeform, whose editor described him as "sure to go on to better things".<ref name="Timeform1984">{{cite book | author=Timeform| title = Racehorses of 1984| publisher=Timeform | year = 1985| isbn = 0-900599-40-5}}</ref>

Slip Anchor finished third on his first appearance as a three-year-old before winning the [[Newmarket Stakes|Heathorn Stakes]] at [[Newmarket Racecourse]] in May. On his next appearance, he was sent to Lingfield for the [[Lingfield Derby Trial|Highland Spring Derby Trial]]. Cecil had not regarded the colt particularly highly and treated the event as an easy opportunity to win a Group race, but Slip Anchor led from the start and won by ten lengths from Lord Grundy to establish himself as a leading contender for the Epsom Deby.<ref name="Timeform1985">{{cite book | author=Timeform| title = Racehorses of 1985| publisher=Timeform | year = 1986| isbn = 0-900599-42-1}}</ref>

At Epsom on 5 June, Slip Anchor started the [[Fractional odds|9/4]] favourite for the Derby, ahead of [[2000 Guineas]] winner [[Shadeed]] and the Irish-trained colts [[Law Society (horse)|Law Society]] and [[Theatrical (horse)|Theatrical]]. The race attracted a crowd of 250,000 spectators including [[Queen Elizabeth II]] on a warm, misty day.<ref name="google2457">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FAohAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bXIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2457,1334774&dq=slip-anchor&hl=en |title=Cauthen rides Slip Anchor to victory |page=45 |newspaper=[[Schenectady Gazette]] |date=6 June 1985 |access-date=2013-05-11}}</ref> Cauthen sent Slip Anchor into the lead from the start and maintained a slight advantage until halfway when he accelerated clear of his thirteen opponents. He turned into the straight ten lengths ahead of the field and was never challenged, winning by seven lengths from Law Society, who was in turn six lengths clear of the rest.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=m-89AAAAIBAJ&sjid=2UgMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3603,1370672&dq=slip-anchor&hl=en |title=Slip Anchor weighs in for victory |newspaper=[[Glasgow Herald]] |author=Martin Gale |date=6 June 1985 |page=23 |access-date=2013-05-11}}</ref> Theatrical finished seventh, [[Petoski]] eleventh, and Shadeed thirteenth. Slip Anchor was the first Derby winner to lead all the way since [[Coronach (horse)|Coronach]] in 1926.<ref name="Timeform1985"/> His victory made Cauthen the first American jockey for 65 years to win the Derby and the first to ride the winners of both the [[Kentucky Derby]] (on [[Affirmed]] in 1978) and the Epsom original.<ref name="google2457"/> After the race, Cauthen described Slip Anchor as the best horse he had ever ridden, including Affirmed, saying that "this horse kills them before they have a chance to get at him."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=za8_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=4FYMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2499,2292151&dq=slip-anchor&hl=en |title=Slip Anchor called best by Cauthen |newspaper=[[The Vindicator]] |date=6 June 1985 |page=25 |access-date=2013-05-11}}</ref>

After the Derby, Slip Anchor sustained an injury to his left foreleg in training and missed an intended run in the [[King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes]] at [[Ascot Racecourse]] in July (won by Petoski). Slip Anchor returned to the track in the [[September Stakes]] at [[Kempton Park Racecourse|Kempton Park]]. He started the 1/2 favourite but was beaten half a length by the four-year-old Shernazar ([[Shergar]]'s half-brother).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2MBAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=26UMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5155,1640615&dq=slip-anchor&hl=en |title=Slip Anchor beaten |newspaper=Glasgow Herald |date=7 September 1985 |page=19 |access-date=2013-05-11}}</ref> On his final appearance of the season, Slip Anchor was brought back in distance to contest the [[Champion Stakes]] over ten furlongs at Newmarket on 19 October. In an exceptionally strong renewal of the race, he finished second to the [[filly]] [[Pebbles (horse)|Pebbles]], with Palace Music in third and [[Commanche Run]] unplaced.<ref name="Timeform1985"/>

Slip Anchor stayed in training as a four-year-old but became increasingly temperamental and difficult to train: for a time, Cecil had to exercise the colt separately from his other horses. He was beaten by Phardante on his seasonal debut in the [[Jockey Club Stakes]] and did not race again. His retirement was announced in June, with Cecil saying that the colt had not "recaptured his brilliance of last year".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ubZAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uKUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3383,3361585&dq=slip-anchor&hl=en |title=Results and Prices |newspaper=Glasgow Herald |date=13 June 1986 |page=31 |access-date=2013-05-11}}</ref>

==Assessment==
Slip Anchor was given a rating of 136 by the independent [[Timeform]] organisation, making him the highest-rated horse of the year. He was also the top-rated racehorse in the official International classification.<ref name="Guinness">{{cite book|last1=Morris|first1=Tony|last2=Randall|first2=John|title=Horse Racing: Records, Facts, Champions|edition=Third|publisher=Guinness Publishing |year=1990|isbn=0-85112-902-1}}</ref> In their book ''A Century of Champions'', John Randall and Tony Morris rated Slip Anchor a "superior" Derby winner and the sixty-sixth best racehorse trained in Britain and Ireland in the 20th century.<ref name="century">{{cite book|last1=Morris| first1=Tony|last2=Randall|first2=John|title=A Century of Champions|publisher= Portway Press|year=1999|isbn=1-901570-15-0}}</ref>

==Stud career==
Slip Anchor was retired to the [[Stud (animal)|stud]] duty at his owner's [[Plantation Stud]] at [[Exning]] near Newmarket,<ref>{{cite news|author=Horse Racing |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/2357787/End-of-line-for-Plantation-Stud.html |title=End of line for Plantation Stud |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=2013-05-10}}</ref>

Slip Anchor most notably produced the 1992 [[European Horse of the Year]], [[User Friendly (horse)|User Friendly]], winner of [[Epsom Oaks|The Oaks]] and [[St Leger Stakes]]. His other good winners included Posidonas, ([[Gran Premio d'Italia]], [[Princess of Wales's Stakes]], [[Hardwicke Stakes]]), Morshdi ([[Italian Derby]], [[Grosser Preis von Baden]]), Give the Slip ([[Ebor Handicap]], 2nd [[Melbourne Cup]]) and Slicious ([[Premio Roma]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/303734/slip-anchor |publisher=Racing Post |title=Slip Anchor Stud Record |date=2012-02-15 |access-date=2013-05-11}}</ref>

In later years, he began to suffer from [[arthritis]] but was exercised every day and described as "a charming character" and "a bit of a poser" by his handlers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,641871,00.html |title=Slip Anchor |newspaper=The Observer |date=23 February 2002 |access-date=2013-05-11}}</ref> Slip Anchor was [[Animal euthanasia|euthanised]] at the age of twenty-nine on 22 September 2011 at [[Plantation Stud]] at [[Exning]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Bruce Jackson |url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/1985-derby-winner-slip-anchor-dies-aged-29/920057/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103115016/http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/1985-derby-winner-slip-anchor-dies-aged-29/920057/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-11-03 |title=1985 Derby winner Slip Anchor dies aged 29 |work=[[Racing Post]]|date=2011-09-22 |access-date=2013-05-11}}</ref> The stud manager explained that "he just started to go downhill in the last few weeks&nbsp;... it was due to the infirmities of old age."<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.ownerbreeder.co.uk/2011/09/slip-anchor-dies-at-29/ |title=Slip Anchor dies at 29 |work=Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder Magazine |date=22 September 2011 |access-date=2013-05-11}}</ref> His body was cremated, and his remains were laid next to champion miler [[Kris (horse)|Kris]].

==Pedigree==
{{Pedigree
|name = Slip Anchor, bay stallion, 1982<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=2206500&registry=T&horse_name==Slip%20Anchor%20(GB)&dam_name==Sayonara%20(GER)&foaling_year=1982&nicking_stats_indicator=Y |title=Slip Anchor |website=Equineline|date=2012-05-08 |access-date=2013-05-10}}</ref>
|f = [[Shirley Heights (horse)|Shirley Heights]] (GB)<br />1975
|m = Sayonara (GER)<br />1965
|ff = [[Mill Reef]](USA)<br />1968
|fm = Hardiemma (GB)<br />1969
|mf = [[Birkhahn]] (GER)<br />1945
|mm = Suleika (GER)<br />1954
|fff = [[Never Bend]]
|ffm = Milan Mill
|fmf = [[Hardicanute (horse)|Hardicanute]]
|fmm = Grand Cross
|mff = [[Alchimist]]
|mfm = Bramouse
|mmf = [[Ticino (horse)|Ticino]]
|mmm = Schwarzblaurot
|ffff = [[Nasrullah (horse)|Nasrullah]]
|fffm = [[Lalun (horse)|Lalun]]
|ffmf = [[Princequillo]]
|ffmm = Virginia Water
|fmff = [[Hard Ridden]]
|fmfm = Harvest Maid
|fmmf = Grandmaster
|fmmm = Blue Cross
|mfff = [[Herold (horse)|Herold]]
|mffm = Aversion
|mfmf = Cappiello
|mfmm = Peregrine
|mmff = [[Athanasius (horse)|Athanasius]]
|mmfm = Terra
|mmmf = [[Magnat (horse)|Magnat]]
|mmmm = [[Schwarzgold]] (Family 16-c)<ref name="bloodlines1"/>
|}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Epsom Derby Winners}}

[[Category:2011 racehorse deaths]]
[[Category:1982 racehorse births]]
[[Category:Racehorses trained in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Racehorses bred in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Epsom Derby winners]]
[[Category:Thoroughbred family 16-c]]