Shamus Award Winner Highlights Nick that Clicks

Tara Madgwick - Thursday June 10

Shamus Award has had a personal best season with nine stakes-winners highlighted by three Group I winners and his 80th seasonal winner that scored at Gosford on Thursday was a timely reminder of one of his most successful nicks.

Having his first run for new trainer Rodney Ollerton, three year-old gelding Defiant Heart steamed straight past the short priced favourite Selhurst Park to score a dominant two and a quarter length win in the 1100m maiden.



Placed at two of his previous four starts, Defiant Heart looks to have turned a corner during his recent spell and may yet follow in the footsteps of his full sister Enchanted Heart, who won the Listed Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford last month.

Defiant Heart is the second winner for Shattered Heart, a half-sister by Show a Heart to Group III winner Luke’s Luck from the family of Group I winners Lucia Valentina and Danzdanzdance as well as Group II winner She Will Be Loved.

Show a Heart mares have a sensational record with Shamus Award, the nick producing eight winners from 10 runners highlighted by Group III winner Sovereign Award, stakes-winner Enchanted Heart and stakes-placed Epic Girl.

Shamus Award - click for more information.

Shamus Award stands at Rosemont Stud this spring at a fee of $33,000.


 

Advertisment

Race Result - Sneddon Bros Mdn Hcp 1100m

Gosford Track: Heavy(8) Time: 1:05.97
1
Defiant Heart
- 3g Shamus Award (AUS) x Shattered Heart (NZ) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: R E Ollerton Rdr: C Reith 59
2
2.3
Day Performer
- 3f Swiss Ace (AUS) x Light Up A Screen (NZ) (Conatus (AUS))
Tnr: C E Conners Rdr: J R Collett 57
3
3.1
Selhurst Park
- 2c Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Palazzo Cristallo (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: J Parr 57.5
4
5.2
Just A Tiff
- 2c Kiss And Make Up (AUS) x Queen Of Kariba (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: B Avdulla 56.5
5
8.3
Trojan Hero
- 3g Choisir (AUS) x Miss Venus (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: Ms K Gavenlock Rdr: A Gibbons 59
6
10.7
Shez Rising
- 2f Choisir (AUS) x High Harmony (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: S Clipperton 55
More Reading...
G3 Eulogy Shines Spotlight On Emerging NZB Filly of the Year Contenders
Undefeated filly Well Written (Written Tycoon) has dominated the early stages of the 2025-26 NZB Filly of the Year Series, but the complexion of the series might start to change with this weekend’s fifth leg.
2025 Breednet Favourite Foal Winner
Firstly we’d like to thank everyone for taking an interest in our foal gallery and supporting their favourites, but there can only be one 2025 Favourite Foal and Vinery Stud’s first season sire Hawaii Five Oh has gained a jump on his rivals in producing his first winner!
First HK Winner for Sebring Sun
Bargain priced Glenthorne Park based sire Sebring Sun had his first winner in Hong Kong on Saturday when The Red Hare saluted at Sha Tin.
Sword of State Yearlings to Lure Buyers to Karaka
Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State was represented by yet another highly promising two-year-old when the Bjorn Baker-trained Warwoven ran out an impressive winner of the TAB Plate (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Rising Northern Hemisphere Star for Ghaiyyath
As we come to the end of 2025, the stallion sitting on top of the Australian Second Season Sires table is Ghaiyyath (IRE) and one of his promising three year-olds in the Northern Hemisphere this year is Opera Ballo, a commanding winner of the Group II Al Rashidiya (1m1f) at Meydan overnight.
Hellbent Gelding Delivers Milestone 100th Win for Mark Newnham
Mark Newnham reached a significant milestone on Saturday at Sha Tin as leading Four-Year-Old Classic Series prospect, Invincible Ibis took another step towards the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) – the opening leg of the three race series on February 1.
Apulia Unleashes Devastating Perth Cup Trial
Lightly raced five year old entire Apulia produced one of the best Perth Cup trials seen in years when he produced a finish Bernborough himself would have admired to take the weight for age G2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes at Ascot.
Gin a Tonic Dominates MM 3YO and 4YO Victorian Classic
The $175,000 Magic Millions Victorian 3YO and 4YO Classic (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday produced a dominant winner in Gin a Tonic, shining the spotlight on his half-brother by Ole Kirk to be offered at Magic Millions next month.
Autumn Carnival Awaits King’s Secret
Arguably in need of the run when a first-up third, Joe Pride’s consistent sprinter King’s Secret (Shalaa) appeared a class above his rivals on Saturday with black type races now on the horizon for the half-brother to $12.8m earner Private Eye.
Widden Produce the Magic Winners
The beauty of buying a Magic Millions yearling is their eligibility for a rich program of races scheduled around the country and no farm has a better record for producing the winners of these races than Widden Stud with Unit Five the latest name added to the list.