The curtain rises on Showtime
It’s rare for a young stallion to be formally photographed before he’s even served a mare.
But Showtime has already let down so magnificently, there was no question that he was ready for his first photo shoot in April. Those take-your-breath-away good looks are not recently acquired – Showtime was also an impressive foal and a $1.1 million Magic Millions yearling.
But what you see of Showtime is only a fraction of what he offers breeders in 2019.
Sent to the celebrated Hawkes Racing stable, he was up and running early, finishing second at his 2YO debut in October 2016.
After that he raced almost exclusively in Group company, right in the mix with the best of his own generation – including She Will Reign, Pariah, Gunnison & Invader – and then at weight-for-age against older horses.
His best successes came in the MVRC Stutt S. 1600m G2 as a 3YO and a year later, in the weight-for-age 1400-metre Caulfield feature, the MRC P.B. Lawrence S. G2 (formerly the J.J. Liston S.), where he settled easily on the speed, took control on the turn and grittily held off multiple Group 1 winner, and previous P.B. Lawrence Stakes winner Hartnell, and six other Group 1 winners.
A series of excellent weight-for-age placings in his 3YO season franked Showtime’s class: to Trapeze Artist in the ATC All Aged S. G1 & Expressway S. G2, and in the MRC Futurity S. G1, where he took the lead from a wide draw and fought on bravely to hold third, less than a length from the top-class Japanese pair Brave Smash & Tosen Stardom.
It’s a terrific record on paper, but even better when the race videos are viewed. Easing back off the pace and unwinding a late sprint wasn’t for Showtime. He much preferred rolling along in front or close to the pace, in the thick of the fight and when he got that kind of run, he was a difficult opponent to run down.
It’s SHOWTIME! What a run by the @HawkesRacing entire and a superb ride by @dwaynedunn8. @MelbRacingClub pic.twitter.com/P1dPgORcKN
— Racing.com (@Racing) August 18, 2018
Showtime’s turn of foot and tenacity account for his consistency in the best company – in fact, he was a top-five finisher in 15 of his 19 starts at two, three and four.
It’s not surprising that such a competitor emerged from the mating of two-time Champion Sire Snitzel with accomplished broodmare Flidais. That match had already produced the brilliant multiple Group winner Sweet Idea, who sealed her career with a dominant ATC Galaxy G1 success as a 4YO.
Showtime’s younger full sister Evening Slippers – also a seven-figure yearling – won and placed in Sydney as a 2YO this season and is a bright prospect for 2019/20.
Flidais herself is the daughter of the Gai Waterhouse-trained Electronic, a formidable middle-distance performer in the mid-1990s who compiled 7 wins from 19 starts as a 5YO, including the Group 1 Ranvet and Metropolitan, defeating Cox Plate winner The Phantom Chance. Thanks to her sire Timber Country, Flidais also brings a desirable presence of Fall Aspen to Showtime’s pedigree.
Arrowfield’s Pedigree Analyst Peter Jenkins suggests mares with lines of Red Ransom, Sir Tristram, Last Tycoon, Mr. Prospector for Showtime, plus General Nediym and mares that carry Seattle Slew blood.
One last incontestable fact: among all the stallions Arrowfield has stood over the past 30 years, only six were also bred by the Stud and their record so far is outstanding.
Danzero. Champion Sire of 2YOs, 40 stakeswinners, 6 Group 1 winners.
Flying Spur. Champion Sire in 2007, 99 stakeswinners, 12 Group 1 winners.
Beneteau. The “What-if” stallion in Arrowfield’s history, who died after leaving two crops of 107 runners, 10 stakeswinners, two Group 1 winners.
Pariah, dual Group-winning 2YO & 3YO whose first foals arrive this Spring.
Five-time Group 1 winner The Autumn Sun, standing his first season in 2019.
And Showtime, premiering this Spring at a fee of $11,000 inc. GST.
