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...
Racing Australia Issue a Statement on Black Type
Racing Australia Chairman Rob Rorrison has released the following statement. 
One to Watch – Newcastle
A debut winner for Farnan has an interesting background, bred in Queensland and sold as a weanling before becoming a pinhook winner at the Adelaide Magic Millions and now being trained at Newcastle where he won today.
Mick Dee Chasing More Kiwi Glory
Expat jockey Mick Dee is set to return to one of his happiest hunting grounds, Ellerslie, with a full book of rides on Boxing Day headed by El Vencedor in the Gr. 1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m).
First Win for $1million Jet
He was bought for $1million at Magic Millions with stallion potential in mind, but Zoustar three year-old Jet found the winner’s circle for the first time at Warwick Farm on Wednesday as a gelding.
West is Best - Outstanding Perth Magic Millions Yearling Catalogue Online
The cream of the Western Australian yearling crop has been assembled for the 2026 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale and the quality packed catalogue is now online. 
Sires With Winners - Tuesday December 16
Here is the full list of 16 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia announces 2026 Next Crop Committee
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) is pleased to announce the appointment of the 2026 Next Crop Committee, a national group of passionate and forward-thinking industry participants committed to supporting the next generation of Australia’s thoroughbred industry.
Cool Archie Return Delayed
The highly anticipated return to the races for exciting colt Cool Archie has been put on ice with co-trainer Chris Munce revealing the colt has an issue.
Vote for Your Favourite Foal of 2025
We thank everyone for their participation in this year’s Foal Gallery with an amazing selection of babies from all over Australia and New Zealand making it a real showcase for breeders big and small and the task of selecting just six for our audience to vote for is not an easy one.
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.