Shamus Award's El Patroness Breaks Maiden in Super Impose

Mark Smith - Saturday October 2

The lone filly in the field, El Patroness chose the right spot to break her maiden in Saturday's Listed Kirkland Gold Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington.

Placed at her first two starts in 3yo fillies grade at Sandown, the daughter of Shamus Award hit the front 350 metres out under Brett Prebble. She was all out in holding the challenge of the Tavistock gelding Tiz Magic by a half-neck with a nose back to the favoured Tavistock colt Gunstock in third.

El Patroness that's the way to break your maiden (image Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

Winning trainer Danny O'Brien said the filly would continue to improve when stretched out in distance and is on track for the Victoria Oaks.

"I was really pleased because she's an out-and-out mile and a quarter filly. She's run in two very slowly run events so far, and when he (Prebble) made it happen from the front, at least he made it a decent enough test," O'Brien said.

"He used her up on the bit early, was left in front a long way from home, which is always a bit troubling here at Flemington. She's done a great job for a filly having her third start to do it at both ends and hang on against the boys is a great effort.

"The first two races were really just education and warming up. Today, for a lot of horses, it is moving day, and you want to be doing something today.

"We opted to run against the colts at 1800 metres rather than a mile and really pleased that she's on track. Hopefully, she is back here in a month's time."

Prebble said the daughter of Shamus Award has her quirks.

 "She's quite a cantankerous, big filly. I just had to keep her moving the whole time to keep her happy," Prebble said.

Advertisement

"I tried to go around with the pony, and she nearly went over the rail a couple of times. I aborted that mission, so she just went around on her own and kept her happy. When she jumped as cleanly as she did today I was keen to up.

"She’s is probably a big track horse, get into a rhythm. She was out on her legs late, but it is probably the first time she really had a hit out. Last start she was in behind and never really got tested.

“I wouldn’t like to try and stand over her and make her do something she doesn’t want to. She’s too big and she’s too strong. When she’s in a good frame of mind we’ll get a good run out of her but I don’t think she’ll beat Danny’s other horse (Kapalua Sunset).”

O'Brien will have a strong hand in the oaks (image Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

A homebred for Balmerino Racing Partnership Trust and O'Brien Thoroughbreds, El Patroness is the first foal of the talented O’Reilly mare Sure You Can.

Purchased by Danny O Brien for $100,000 at the 2012 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, Sure You Can is a sister to Group III Tasmanian Derby winner Betwixt, dam of Group 1 Queensland Oaks winner Provocative (Zabeel).

Sure You Can is also a half-sister to Group II ARC Avondale Guineas and Group II Auckland Guineas winner Surely Sacred, who placed in the 2019 ATC Australian Derby won by Angle Of Truth.

Sure You Can has a 2yo filly by Star Witness, a yearling filly by Shamus Saward and was covered by Puissance De Lune (IRE) last spring.

El Patroness becomes the 16th stakes-winner for Rosemont Stud’s Shamus Award, who stands at a fee of $33,000 this spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Super Impose Stakes LR 1800m

Flemington Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:50.36
1
El Patroness
- 3f Shamus Award (AUS) x Sure You Can (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: B Prebble 55
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $260,000
Seller: Widden Stud, Widden Valley
Buyer: O'Brien Thoroughbreds (Aust) Pty Ltd
2
0.2
Tiz Magic
- 3g Tavistock (NZ) x Cinnadream (AUS) (King Of Kings (IRE))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: L Currie 57
3
0.3
Gunstock
- 3c Tavistock (NZ) x Zeranti (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Jye McNeil 57
4
2.8
Character
- 3c Teofilo (IRE) x Monogram (AUS) (Medaglia D'Oro (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Fred W Kersley 57
5
4.5
Tutukaka
- 3g Tavistock (NZ) x Meleka Belle (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: Damian Lane 58
6
5.5
Turn It Up Tommy
- 3g Tivaci (AUS) x Zelitist (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Denis Pagan Rdr: Lachlan King 57
7
5.7
Asternishing
- 3g Astern (AUS) x Fondle (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: M A Bell Rdr: D Yendall 57
8
6.2
Magic Mikey
- 3g Zed (NZ) x Magic Tryst (NZ) (Magic Ring (IRE))
Tnr: S Foster Rdr: Declan Bates 57
9
7.0
Euro Dandy
- 3g Eurozone (AUS) x Best Dressed Lady (AUS) (Al Maher (AUS))
Tnr: Chris Calthorpe Rdr: Damien Thornton 57
10
7.7
Footlights
- 3c Savabeel (AUS) x On Broadway (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: D Moor 57
11
37.7
Celestial Fury
- 3c Savabeel (AUS) x Sister Celeste (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: C Newitt 57.5
More Reading...
Will Macdonald Joins Astute Bloodstock
Astute Bloodstock is delighted to announce the expansion of our team as we continue to meet increasing client demand and pursue our Group 1 ambitions.
Mitchell McKenzie Colts Showcase
All eyes will be on the $175,000 Listed MVRC Mitchell McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday with an intriguing field of nine colts and geldings all vying for that all important first stakes win.
Shamus Awards El Patroness Dominant In ATC Oaks
Danny O'Brien said he had not ruled out the Queensland oaks for El Patroness, a daughter of O'Brien's Cox Plate hero Shamus Award,who kept up a relentless gallop to land Saturday's $1,000,000 Group 1 ATC The Star Australian Oaks (2400m).
Sires With Winners - Friday September 5
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kiwi Melbourne Cup Contender Kicks off at The Valley
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Mark Twain has landed in Melbourne and will commence his path towards the iconic feature at The Valley on Saturday.
One to Watch – Wyong
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable have been running hot into spring and unleashed a talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt at Wyong on Friday that bolted in to win by nearly five lengths.
Justify Mare Wins $250,000 Wyong Mona Lisa Stakes
A big field of 14 mares went around in the $250,000 Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong on Friday and the race produced a thrilling finish with less than two lengths separating  the first eight over the line with Just Feelin’ Lucky taking the prize.
Ole Kirk share headlines strong September (Early) Online Sale
A share in - and mares in foal to - reigning Champion First Season Sire Ole Kirk are joined by a bevy of quality racing and breeding stock in the Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 AJ Moir Stakes
The Valley blasts into spring G1 action with the running of the $750,000 AJ Moir Stakes WFA at 1000m, and it's always an exciting spectacle when a full field of flyers are going full bore on the turning track!
Expensive Super Seth 3YO Bolts in by Five!
Smart three-year-old Street Artist notched his first victory in impressive style when leading throughout to defeat a strong maiden field over 1000m at Mornington on Friday by nearly five lengths.