Gunsynd

Gunsynd
Statue of Gunsynd in Goodiwindi, Queensland.
Sire	Sunset Hue
Grandsire	Star Kingdom (IRE)
Dam	Woodie Wonder
Damsire	Newtown Wonder
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1967
Country	Australia
Colour	Grey
Breeder	Joe McNamara
Owner	Bill Bishop, G. Pippos G.N McMicking, A.V. Coorey
Trainer	Bill Wehlow (at 2 & 3) T J Smith (at 4 & 5)
Record	54: 29-6½-8
Earnings	A$280,455
Major wins
Hopeful Stakes (1969) Chelmsford Stakes (1970) Rawson Stakes (1971, 1973) Epsom Handicap (1971) Toorak Handicap (1971) Sandown Cup (1971) George Adams Handicap (1971) Futurity Stakes (1972) Frederick Clissold Handicap (1972) Hill Stakes (1972) VRC Queens Plate (1972) Doncaster Handicap (1972) Colin Stephen Stakes (1972) Caulfield Stakes (1972) Cox Plate (1972) VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1972, 1973) Blamey Stakes (1973) AJC Autumn Stakes (1973)
Awards
Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year (1972)
Honours
Queensland Icon (2004) Statue at Goondiwindi, Queensland Australian Racing Hall of Fame Gunsynd Mile at Doomben Racecourse
Last updated on 25 April 2010

Gunsynd (4 October 1967 – 29 April 1983) was a champion Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who won 29 races and A$280,455 in prize money. In his seven starts over one mile (1,600 metres) he was only once defeated, by half-a-head in the Epsom Handicap.

Foaled in 1967, at The Dip Stud, at Breeza, New South Wales, Gunsynd was by the grey racehorse, Sunset Hue (by the imported sire, Star Kingdom), his dam was a twin foal, Woodie Wonder, that ran third at her only start. Woodie Wonder was by the sire, Newtown Wonder (GB). She was the dam of eight foals, six of which raced for three winners. A full brother to Gunsynd, Sunset Red, who won the WJ McKell Cup was the next best of Woodie Wonder's progeny.

G. McMicking formed a syndicate with three others from his home town of Goondiwindi (pronounced Gundawindi) consisting of A. Bishop, J. Coorey and A. Pippos and purchased Gunsynd as a yearling for A$1,300 at the 1969 Brisbane sales. He was affectionately known as the Goondiwindi Grey because his owners came from Goondiwindi and he was a grey in appearance.

Originally trained by Bill Wehlow, and later by Tommy Smith, Gunsynd raced from 1969 to 1973. As a four-year-old, under handicap conditions, Gunsynd won four major mile races (approximately 1,600 metres) - the Epsom Handicap, the Toorak Handicap, the George Adams Handicap, and the Doncaster Handicap, and, at five, was narrowly beaten by Triton in the 1972 Epsom Handicap. In the Doncaster Handicap, he carried 9 stone 7 pounds (60.5 kilograms) to victory, and, in his second Epsom Handicap, was second with 62.5 kilograms. He then won the 1972 Cox Plate, was third, with 60.5 kilograms, to Piping Lane in the Melbourne Cup, and was named Australia's champion racehorse for the 1972-1973 season. Gunsynd was a favourite with the crowds due to his grey coat and his tremendous will to win, and was one of the best grey horses in the history of Australian racing.