The search for Australia’s slowest racehorse may be over.



This particular horse makes 10-start maiden Septagon look like fellow geometrically-named galloper Octagonal.

He hasn’t actually graced the turf since August 2014 but grey gelding Summer School is still ‘active’ according to Racing Australia.





Summer School’s lengthy absence from the race track is due to a stewards-imposed embargo that prohibits him from racing until he trials to the satisfaction of officials.



In other words, he must prove that he is not in fact a sloth masquerading as a racehorse.

The ban came on the back of a simply putrid display at Bendigo where the Dean Boal-trained five-year-old was beaten 51.15L.

In a change of tactics, jockey Carryn Londregan pushed forward to take up the lead in a bid to run her rivals ragged.



Unfortunately the plan backfired, badly (see below).







A 51.2L defeat is ugly at the best of times but the alarm bells ring even louder when the winner is trained by fabled handler of ‘slowies’ Bryce Stanaway.



Summer School's moonwalking performance at Bendigo was his first run back from an embargo placed on him after finishing 44L from the winner at Echuca just five weeks earlier.



It's incredible to think he was sent out as a $5 chance on debut given the athletically-challenged son of Any Given Saturday has failed to beat a runner home in four career starts and has been beaten a total of 137.35L (an average of just under 35L).

The stewards’ report after each run makes for diabolical reading:





2/11/2013 – Mortlake Maiden (1300m)

“When questioned regarding the performance of Summer School, rider Nikita McLean stated she was required to push the gelding along during the early stages to establish a position however when placed under pressure, the gelding failed to respond to her riding.”

21/11/2013 – Terang Maiden (1600m)

“Rider Andrew Mallyon reported Summer School was inclined to hang out from the 700m. Summer School was eased down over the final 200m before being placed a distant last. A post-race veterinary examination of Summer School revealed no obvious abnormalities. Trainer Aaron Purcell indicated the stable would not be continuing with the preparation of Summer School.” (And that's where Echuca trainer Dean Boal stepped in.)

21/07/2014 – Echuca Maiden (1200m)

“Dean Boal, trainer of Summer School which performed poorly beaten 44L, was notified that prior to racing again the gelding must trial to the satisfaction of stewards.”

24/08/2014 – Bendigo 0-58 (2200m)

“A post-race veterinary examination of Summer School which performed poorly revealed no abnormalities. Trainer Dean Boal was advised that prior to racing again the gelding must trial to the satisfaction of the stewards due to the uncompetitive nature of its performance.”







Summer School kicking it into reverse.

Have you come across a slower horse than Summer School? Let us know below.