I´m
Slippy only raced on 24 occasions and won 20. Slippy was bought for £4,000 unraced by his
Northern Irish owner trainer John Quinn. Slippy´s first competition was the Gimcrack at
Celtic Park. He was never led and set a new 360 yard track record of 19.39. He then went
unbeaten to the final of the Dunmore Puppy Cup clocking 23.60 for Dunmore´s 435 yards. In
the decider he uncharacteristically missed his break. After accelerating through the field
the 2-7 favorite could not hold off Ivy Sailor who triumphed by half a length in 24.50.
In April 1983 Slippy broke the Dunmore 435 yard track record in 23.51. The 69 pound white
and brindle, who struggled to get the trip, reached the 1983 English Derby Final at White
City with a mixture of first and second places. Amazingly, it wasn´t until the quarter
finals that he led up for the first time. Although he just held on on that occasion, the
verdict went against him 9in the semis when Amazing Man got up by half a length. In an
excellent quality Derby final the black jacketed Slippy outpaced favorite Game Ball to the
first and wen clear. He then held off On Spec by a rapidly shortening neck in 24.40.
Debbycot Lad was third.
Slippy returned to Dunmore and landed the Priceless Border Stakes. He then went unbeaten
through the 1983 Irish National Sprint and when beating Ring Beacon by three and a half
lengths took one spot of his own track record in the final.
Slippy is bred for pure speed and would
probably have made a decent coursing sire. His father Laurdella Fun was a noted sire of
early speed. Slippy´s dam line is a track and coursing cross. His comrades included
Glenroe Blue (semi finalist Irish Derby).
Slippy´s stud career began slowly in
Norhtern Ireland with southern breeders unwilling to travel. A switch to Richie
O´Reagan in Cork probably saved his career though it was to be long road to the top.
Slippy became a top five sire (by NGRC open winners) in 1988. He moved up a place in 1989
and two more in 1990. He also finished runner-up to Whisper Wishes in 1991. At the time of
writing Slippy was the most in-demand sire in Ireland. He has possibly suffered by being
less versatile than Whisper Wishes - although there are some very good I´m Slippy
stayers, they are notable for their rarity. Basically, Slippy has proved a sire of pure
pace.
Some critics say they have to lead to win. Surely unfair (as well as untrue - eg Slippy
Blue). If they could stay as well as they sprint the oppsition would need motorbikes. If
they have a fault, a certain percentage are very boisterous an a smaller elemet still are
bad kennelers. No living British or Irish sire has more track record breaking offspring.
I´m Slippy has been a great outlet after the domination of the Sand Man lines and is
undoubtedly one of the best stud dogs of his generation. I believe his influence will
increase though his many sons and the prospects for his daughters as broods, have, at the
time of writing, still to be exploited. |
