Rosemont Stud and partners have been hoping for a while to win a Group I with their royally bred Zoustar stallion Schwarz and the dream turned into reality at Moonee Valley on Saturday when he led all the way to win the $1million Group I MVRC William Reid Stakes (1200m).
Trained by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, Schwarz was electric when winning the Group II MVRC Australia Stakes over the same course and distance on January 24 and it always made plenty of sense to go back for a crack at G1 glory at a venue where he is clearly at his best.
Schwarz was given a confident ride by Jamie Mott and despite being pressured in the run by She’s Bulletproof, it was the four year-old stallion that emerged best from that challenge and he was then able to kick away and hold off late challenges from Group I winners Benedetta and Jimmysstar to win by a length.
"It's fantastic. I'm thrilled for the horse, the ownership group and all our staff that have put a fantastic effort into this horse," said Tom Charlton.
"It was an interesting watch. I thought Craig Williams put a good bit of pressure on us on She's Bulletproof and I was slightly surprised by the kick this horse gave at the top of the straight. It was a dominant win.
“He's a relatively lightly-raced horse and we've learned quite a bit about him again this preparation. He was dominant here fresh, didn't quite back-up two weeks later over 1400 metres and we had in the back of our mind to target again here, fresh, 1200 metres. Credit to everyone and obviously my boss who is the mastermind of these things. I'm just very thankful to be in this position.
“He's a big ticket stallion by Zoustar with a big pedigree. Team Rosemont will be very pleased."
A $1.25million Magic Millions purchase from the Widden Stud draft for Rosemont-Victorian Alliance/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)/David Redvers Bloodstock, Schwarz was bred by Widden in partnership and has the overall record of six wins and a second from 12 starts with prizemoney in excess of $1.3million.
“That's an unbelievable performance from a horse that has got an unbelievable pedigree,” said an elated Anthony Mithen of Rosemont Stud.
“He's the best performed colt by Zoustar there has been and he’s won a weight-for-age Group I.
“He'll go to stud a very attractive prospect. The fact we paid yearling sale price, not the silly money these stallion syndicates put together means everyone can enjoy that. That's what this Victorian Alliance was about, giving back to breeders and the breeding scene. It's emotional for a lot of reasons and God bless him.”
Schwarz is the first living foal of Group II winning Not a Single Doubt mare Summer Sham, who traces back to blue hen Shantha’s Choice, the dam of Group I winners Redoute’s Choice, Manhattan Rain and Platinum Scissors. Schwarz has an intriguing pedigree with three lines 4 x 4 x 4 of Shantha’s Choice.
Summer Sham is married to Zoustar and her two year-old colt by him called Tuscany sold for $1.55 million at Inglis Easter last year to China Horse Club / Newgate / Go Bloodstock / Trilogy.
Summer Sham produced another filly by Zoustar last year and is back in foal to him again.
Schwarz is the tenth Group I winner for Widden Stud’s champion sire Zoustar.
