Written by Tara Madgwick for breednet
If there is one thing we know about mares by Pride of Dubai it is that they get better and better with age and that does seem the case for Shadhavar, who posted her third successive win on Saturday when capturing the $175,000 Listed MRC Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Trained by Tom Dabernig, Shadhavar was first up from a spell after winning the Listed SAJC Matrice Stakes (1200m) in Adelaide back in March.
Ridden by Craig Williams, she went forward to lead on the fence and gave a great kick turning for home and was able to score by half a length.
Image Courtesy of Racing Photos
“She’s a very good mare and she’s improving all the time,” said Prime Thoroughbreds principal Joe O’Neill.
“Who knows where she may finish, as it is just the start of her preparation.
“The Courtza Stakes (G3) is in two weeks’ time, and I would like to win that.
“I think we will keep her sprinting as you can go up in distance too quickly and have a gut-buster and it is a long way to Flemington.”
Shadhavar has the overall record of six wins and four placings from 15 starts with prizemoney topping $414,000 and the Group I VRC Champions Sprint (1200m) in November is the long range goal.
“I think she’s a sprinter, and that’s the thing, people tend to push horses sometime and push them out in distance,” he said.
“Keep her fresh, keep her happy, so it’s very good.”
Shadhavar was purchased by Prime Thoroughbreds for $85,000 from the draft of The Chase at Magic Millions Adelaide and is going to be a very valuable asset for her owners in the future when her racing days are done.
Bred by China Horse Club, Shadhavar is the best of two winners from well related Sebring mare Cross Legend, a winning half-sister to Group II winner Thronum and SW Cythera from the family of champion sires Street Cry and Shamardal.
Cross Legend was on-sold in 2023 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $80,000 to Noorilim Park Thoroughbreds for $80,000. She produced a filly by Hanseatic last spring and is due to foal to Lovatsville based I Am Invincible young gun Move to Strike this spring.
Shadhavar is the first stakes-winner of the new season for Pride of Dubai, who is one of the best value sires in Australia given his ability to produce a champion.
Pride of Dubai is priced to please at Coolmore this spring at a fee of just $22,000.