Group I Stars Retired After TJ

Tara Madgwick - Sunday April 7
The Group I ATC TJ Smith Stakes has signalled the end of racing for two high profile multiple Group I winners in Shoals and Trapeze Artist, who will retire to Widden Stud.

The injury suffered by Trapeze Artist - image courtesy RacenetUpon pulling-up after finishing seventh, the Gerald Ryan trained Trapeze Artist was found to have a large haematoma on his near side shoulder.

"That's it," Ryan said. "Bert (Vieira)said, 'enough is enough'.

"I'd say he's torn a muscle and it's haemorrhaged.

"He's been such a wonderful horse to all of us and I look forward to his first son or daughter to walk into my stables."

Trapeze Artist retires with the overall record of seven wins and four placings from 20 starts with earnings in excess of $5.5 million. His feature wins include the Group I ATC Golden Rose, TJ Smith Stakes (last year), All Aged Stakes and Canterbury Stakes.

Blue-blooded Fastnet Rock mare Shoals will also head to a stud career at Arrowfield Stud. Bred and retained to race by John Messara and Jonathan Munz, the daughter of Fastnet Rock won seven of 15 starts earning $2.5 million with highlight wins in the Group I VR Myer Classic, ATC Surround Stakes and SAJC Sangster Stakes.

"We have retired her this morning," assistant trainer Sam Freedman said on Sky Radio on Sunday morning.

Farewell Shoals - image Steve Hart"She has run her last race for us.

"She has been an amazing horse for us and has got incredible residual value at stud.

"She is small in stature but a big heart and put in 100 percent every start.

"You would love to have one of her every year in the stable."

The full brother to Shoals as the top lot at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale last year fetching $2.3 million. Named Groundswell and also trained by Anthony Freedman, he is yet to race.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Trapeze Artist Nomination to be auctioned to the benefit of the Angland family
A nomination to four-time Group 1 winner Trapeze Artist for the 2019 Australian breeding season will open the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, with all proceeds going to injured jockey Tye Angland.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 10
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Justify Strikes at Newmarket with New G3 Winner
The Group III Bahrain Trophy Stakes ((1m5f) at Newmarket overnight produced a runaway winner in Scandinavia and while his sire Justify no longer shuttles to Australia, two of his sons will be on the roster at Coolmore this spring in City of Troy (IRE) and Storm Boy.
Bred to be Good - So You Think x More Joyous
It sounds like a match made in heaven, a colt by two time Cox Plate winning sire So You Think from eight time Group I winner More Joyous, and this 2YO is slated to make his debut in New Zealand this weekend,  
Willydoit Data Surprise - Sprinter or Stayer?
Scientific tests have revealed surprising results on the distance aptitude of this season’s star New Zealand staying three-year-old Willydoit.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Spring racing is just around the corner and a busy set of trials at Randwick on Friday featured eight heats won by juveniles with winners including stakes horses The Playwright and Cobra Club as well as unraced youngsters by Justify (USA), I Am Invincible and Flying Artie.
One to Watch – Gosford
Capitalist had a double of debut winning two year-olds at Gosford on Thursday both prepared by Peter Snowden and while the expensive colt Caesar got the job done, it was the filly that really had people talking.
Melbourne Racing Club Unveils Major Spring Racing Enhancements
Racing Victoria has confirmed prize money allocations for the 2025-2026 season and Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has announced some exciting race program changes and prizemoney increases that, together with other great initiatives at Flemington and Moonee Valley, reinforce the position of Victoria’s Spring Racing Carnival at the forefront of international racing.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Wathnan Racing Swoop - Quai de Bethune Eclipses July Sale Record 775,000 Guineas
The Tattersalls July Sale concluded in spectacular fashion with QUAI DE BETHUNE selling for a record 775,000 guineas and the Busuttin Young stable also picked up lightly raced 3YO TIME ALLOWED for Australia.