Shumookh Opens Her Stakes Account in a Thriller

Mark Smith - Saturday September 22

After chasing home the likes of D'argento, Alizee, Unforgotten and Shoals home in the autumn, Emirate Park's royally-bred Dream Ahead (USA) filly Shumookh fought like a tiger to edge Champagne Cuddles in Saturday's $400,000 Group II Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Shumookh and Champagne Cuddles faced off for the last 300 metres with neither refusing to yield but it was Shumookh that got the bob with Princess Posh finishing fast to claim third. (photo Steve Hart).

Advertisement


It was the first stakes win for Shumookh who advanced her record to 2 wins, 3 seconds and 1 third from 7 starts with earnings of $384,495

"Tim got her in a lovely rhythm and I loved the way she came again," Waterhouse said.

"I thought we had got knocked out on the post and when I watched the slow motion I thought 'no we've got it'.

"She was terrific. That what you look for. You look for those horses that can dig deep. She has been a very honest filly and she showed she had made the quantum leap.

"She'll have a great spring because this is really a Group 1 field."

A half-sister to the Group II-placed Shedad (Fastnet Rock), Shumookh is the sixth winner from as many to race out of the top-class mare Shamekha (Secret Savings) whose 8 wins included the Group 1 AJC TJ Smith Stakes, Group 1 All Aged Stakes and Group 1 STC Coolmore Classic while accumulating prizemoney of $1.8 million.

Shamekha has had just one live foal since Shumookh, the 2yo Snitzel filly Shuwaamekh.

She was covered by Pride Of Dubai last spring but missed.

Shumookh becomes the 20th stakes-winner for Aquis Farm's 5-time Group 1 winner Dream Ahead (USA) who is serving the current season at a fee of $16,500

Advertisment
More Reading...
Milan Park Experience Highs and Lows
Tony Rider experienced the extreme highs and lows of breeding thoroughbreds within a matter of hours on Wednesday.
Dream Ahead's Renewal Opens Stakes Account
Honest, Dream Ahead (USA) gelding Renewal defied the pattern of the day when he came from the tail of the field to earn a maiden stakes win in Sunday’s Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
New SW Wrote - Fast Network Wins G3 National Day Cup
Trainer Dennis Yip claimed a timely first win of the 2025/26 season, taking out the feature HK$4.2 million Gr.3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) at Sha Tin’s National Day fixture on Wednesday when his stable star Fast Network, a New Zealand bred son of Wrote, blitzed a strong field under Alexis Badel.
21st Stakes-Winner for Dream Ahead
Aquis shuttler Dream Ahead (USA) sired his 21st stakes-winner on Boxing Day when progressive sprinter Sensei scored a tenacious win in the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1200m) in New Zealand bringing a terrific pedigree update for his yearling half-brother headed to the 2019 Magic Millions.
More Stakes Success for Dream Ahead Sprinter
A last start third in the Group I Ascot British Champions Sprint Stakes, classy Dream Ahead sprinter Donjuan Triumphant gained some consolation when taking out the Listed Wentworth Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday.
Hellbent Winner Impresses at Sha Tin
Astute trainer Mark Newnham paid $425,000 at the 2023 NZB Ready to Run Sale to secure a promising two year-old by Hellbent and Invincible Ibis delivered on that promise when scoring a last to first win at Sha Tin on Wednesday.
Kiwi Sprinter to Target Oakleigh Plate
Riccarton trainer Michael Pitman has never been afraid to travel his horses in search of lucrative prizemoney and the right conditions.
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Talented So You Think Mare Goes Two for Two
So You Think is setting the pace for winners this season as we head into October and one of those promising winners is talented four year-old mare Enamorada, who made it two wins in as many starts when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday as favourite.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 1
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.