Chautauqua returns as a Legend

His electrifying finishing burst could often defy the eye, a trait that made the dappled grey one of Australian racing’s favourites.

His story is one stitched with brilliance, controversy, and a lasting legacy that will be celebrated once more this Saturday when he returns to Flemington - not to race, but to make his debut as a Living Legend.

Trained by the Hawkes family of John, Michael and Wayne, Chautauqua emerged as a star during one of the richest eras of Australian sprinting. His ascent began in 2014 when he stamped himself as an emerging talent and showing an affection for the Flemington straight, taking out the Group 3 Bobbie Lewis Stakes (1200m) and the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) in succession.

Chautauqua's Group 1 sprinting career burst into life, narrowly missing when second in the 2014 VRC Sprint Classic (1200m) at the Melbourne Cup Carnival and repeated the feat in the 2015 Newmarket Handicap (1200m).

VIDEO: Chautauqua's epic 2015 Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes win.

Group 1 glory arrived emphatically in his next outing, with a stunning last-to-first demolition in the 2015 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) that unveiled his signature turn of foot. He defended the crown in 2016 and 2017, becoming the first horse to win the Randwick sprint three years running and etching his name among Australia's sprint immortals.

With his trademark storming runs, often from hopeless positions, Chautauqua turned sprint races into theatre. Even when defeat seemed certain, punters and fans alike clung to hope because Chautauqua had taught them that the race was never over.

His 2016 Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) triumph was proof of that. Terravista appeared to have the race won at the clock tower, but in the final 100 metres, Chautauqua unleashed a devastating burst to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

At his peak, he was the world’s highest-rated sprinter, adored not just for what he did but how he did it. His win in the 2016 Group 1 Hong Kong Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) cemented his status and he captured the hearts of the local Hong Kong racegoers who have become accustomed to cheering on great sprint champions such as Sacred Kingdom and Fairy King Prawn, as well as current Living Legends residents Lucky Nine and Silent Witness.

But as fairy tales often remind us, even heroes have flaws. In 2018, Chautauqua became famous for a different reason, refusing to leave the starting gates. After several trials and tinkering from different equine behavioural experts, retirement loomed. His quirks simply added to his legend.

Since retiring from racing, ‘Sharky’ as he is affectionately known, has thrived in his post-racing life, retrained for equestrian pursuits. And now, as he steps back onto Flemington’s hallowed ground this weekend, he does so not as a competitor, but as a Living Legend.

Chautauqua will be joined by multiple Group 1 winner sprinter Santa Ana Lane with racegoers able to visit the Living Legends in the Horse Stalls and watch them parade in the Mounting Yard after races two and four.