21 Facts About Northerly

Northerly was an Australian racehorse who is considered arguably Australia's best middle distance Thoroughbred horse of the early 2000s.

Northerly, trained by Western Australian harness racing legend Fred Kersley, won nine Group One races, including the Australian Cup twice, and the Cox Plate, regarded as the Weight for Age championship of Australasia, on two occasions.

Serheed, a half-brother to both Ajdal and Formidable, was the sire of 27 stakeswinners that had 84 stakeswins, mostly in Western Australia with Northerly being his best performer.

Northerly was inbred to Northern Dancer in the third, fourth and fifth generation.

Northerly had 37 race starts, for 19 wins, 7 seconds and 2 thirds, earning prize money of A$9.34 million.

Northerly was a favourite of punters for his ability to win after appearing defeated, and this trait, in combination with his racing colours of yellow, black Maltese Cross and quartered cap earned him the nickname of "The Fighting Tiger".

Northerly won his first race in Melbourne, the Carlyon Cup over 1,600 metres, by almost four lengths, in course record time, and began a successful relationship with New Zealand jockey Greg Childs.

Northerly was spelled for the winter, and started his campaign in Perth, where he won first-up and was defeated second-up with 62 kilograms.

The great mare raced clear approaching the home turn, but Northerly rallied in the straight for the narrow, fighting victory that would become his trademark.

Not meeting again before the Cox Plate, Northerly added Group One wins in the Underwood and Caulfield Stakes, while Sunline edged to favouritism for the Cox Plate with her victory in the Turnbull Stakes.

Nonetheless, Northerly had had an outstanding campaign, and the Cox Plate was his fourth win in-a-row.

Northerly returned to Perth, and his trainer Fred Kersley chose to run him in the Railway Stakes, which had been moved forward on the calendar.

Northerly had shown strong lead-up form to the Australian Cup, including a close second in the C F Orr Stakes over 1,400 metres at Caulfield and victory in the St George Stakes at the same venue a fortnight later, but Old Comrade came with a well-timed run to win the Cup in a boilover.

Northerly went to the lead at the 600m mark and held off the fast finishing Fields of Omagh and Republic Lass to win by a neck.

Northerly's weight carrying feat eclipsed Sydeston's modern-day record of 57 kilos, while Fields of Omagh won two Cox Plates over the next four years.

Northerly started favourite, and the typically fighting win was well received by the crowd on the day.

Northerly started odds-on favourite in all three starts, but failed to register the much desired win.

Northerly has the body language of a loser and a heart as big as the Nullarbor.

Northerly invariably looks to be struggling, a shambles of a horse blundering around on memory while his jockey pumps and blusters.

One instant Northerly looks beaten, the next he looks unbeatable.

On 9 May 2012 Northerly was euthanised at his breeder's property in Busselton West Australia, following an attack of colic.