Shamus Award first colt home in the Caulfield Guineas

Snitzel colt Shamus Award put up a tremendous run for third in today’s $1 million MRC Caulfield Guineas 1600m G1, behind the gelded pair Long John and Divine Calling.

Jockey Glen Boss described the colt’s performance as “extraordinary”, and indeed it was, as Shamus Award jumped from barrier 11 and settled in the second half of the field, against his usual pattern of racing. Forced to run wide most of the way, Shamus Award responded generously when asked to accelerate round the turn and kept up a strong gallop down the straight to finish only 2.5 lengths from the winner.   

All of Shamus Award’s nine starts have been in Group or Listed Stakes races, and he has placed in seven of them, including a head-bobbing second to Divine Calling in the MVRC Bill Stutt S. G2 just over two weeks ago.

Yet to win a race, he is the sixth Group 1 performer by Snitzel and must be odds-on to become the next stakeswinner for the sensational son of Redoute’s Choice.

Shamus Award was bred by Bob Hannon from Sunset Express (by Success Express), a city-winning half-sister to the multiple Singapore stakeswinner Ghozi. Shamus Award’s third dam, Irish Group winner From The Wood, descended from the prolific and highly successful German-bred broodmare Adriana, was imported to Australia almost a quarter-century ago. 

Offered by Vinery Stud at the 2012 Inglis Australian Easter Sale, the dark brown colt was purchased for $230,000 and is trained for Sean Buckley by Danny O’Brien.

Sunset Express has a 2YO filly by Not A Single Doubt, and has recently been served by Snitzel.