Best On Breeding

Mark Smith - Friday March 29

Linebacker is a pure product of the Jonathon Munz/ Dean Hawthorne academy, so it would be fitting if the John O'Shea-trained colt credits Super Seth with his first stakes-winner in Saturday's Group III Hyland Race Colours Baillieu Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill.

Linebacker impresses on debut (image Racing NSW/Bradley Photos)

The 2-year-old chestnut colt jumped straight to the front and was never headed when making a hugely impressive debut over 1300m on a heavy track at Hawkesbury on February 21.

Bred by Munz's GSA Bloodstock, Linebacker races for a partnership of some of the trainer's loyal clients, including the Finemore family and Frank and Christine Cook, in whose colours he runs.

Advertisement

A $160,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase for John O'Shea Racing / Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Haunui Farm draft, Linebacker is the third foal and second winner for the unraced Oasis Dream mare Garden of Swans (GB).

A half-sister to Group 1 Eclipse Stakes winner Mukhadram (GB), Garden of Swans (GB) was a 160,000gns purchase for Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock / Badgers Bloodstock from the Trickledown Stud consignment at the 2017 Tattersalls December Mares Sale.

The dam of Garden Of Swans, Magic Tree (Timber Country), was bred in the UAE, and is a half-sister to the Group 1 winner's Kirklees (Jade Robbery) and Mastery (Sulamani).

Third dam Cherokee Rose (Dancing Brave) was a world-class sprinter winning the Group 1 Haydock Park Sprint Cup and Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest.

Linebacker a $160,000 Karaka yearling

Linebacker comes from the first crop of Group 1 Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth, a first crop of Dundeel.

 Arrowfield Stud consigned Super Seth to the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where Dean Hawthorne signed the ticket for $280,000 on behalf of Jonathan Munz's GSA Bloodstock.

The half-brother to Group II ATC Theo Marks Stakes winner Wild Planet won five of his 12 starts before taking up stud duty at Waikato Stud.  

In January, John O'Shea teamed up with James Bester to purchase a brother to Linebacker for $80.000 from the Bhima Stud draft at the Magic Millions.

Garden Of Swans (GB) foaled a Dundeel filly last spring before missing to the 6-time Group 1 winner.

The biggest threats to Linebacker in the Baillieu Stakes are likely to come from Godolphin's progressive Too Darn Hot (GB) colt Silmarillion and the Waterhouse/Bott-trained I Am Invincible colt Anode, who has had little luck in his past two starts when separating Dublin Down and Coleman in the Group III Pago Pago Stakes and a close-up third in the Listed Lonhro Plate. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
King of Roseau Wins G3 Aurie’s Star
Placed in the Listed VRC Poseidon Stakes at Flemington last spring as a three year-old behind Growing Empire, Capitalist gelding King of Roseau returned to the same venue on Saturday to capture the Group III VRC Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m).
Per Incanto Mare Wins $100,000 Polytrack Championship
Synthetic flyer Cosentino silenced any doubt about running out the seven furlongs with a blistering performance to claim Sunday’s $100,000 Japac Homes Polytrack Championship (1400m) at Awapuni.
MM Yearling Sales 2026 Open for Entry
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sales - from the Gold Coast in January to Perth and Tasmania in February and the Gold Coast and Adelaide in March - are ready to deliver more groundbreaking results.
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 2
Here is the full list of 101 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Highland Blaze Wins $250,000 Grand National Hurdle
Jumps racing was the highlight at Sandown Lakeside on Sunday with the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) the highlight and the $100,000 Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) offering a great start to the day.
Linebacker First Stakes Winner for Super Seth
A milestone for Waikato Stud's Super Seth, as the highly promising Linebacker credited the son of Dundeel with his first stakes-winner in Saturday's Group III - Hyland Race Colours BaillieuStakes (1400m) at Rosehill.
Victorian Breeders Celebrate Annual Awards Night
The 2025 Victorian Breeding Awards has once again showcased the outstanding achievements within Victoria’s thoroughbred breeding and racing industry.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
The Novelist Returns to Form
The very first stakes-winner for his sire Written By when winning the Group III BRC BJ McLachlan Stakes in December 2022, The Novelist made light of the heavy 10 track at Rosehill on Saturday to claim another victory.
Sparkling Debut by Super Seth Colt Linebacker
The 2-year-old Super Seth colt Linebacker jumped straight to the front and led a competitive field of maidens a merry dance when making his career debut over 1300m on a heavy track at Hawkesbury on Wednesday.