Rare Shergar Blood at the MM National

Tara Madgwick - Monday May 28
The legend of Shergar, the Epsom Derby winner kidnapped by the IRA in 1983 and never seen again, is one of the great mysteries of racing and as the sire of five stakes-winners from his first and only crop of 25 runners, his presence in a pedigree is not only rare, but also a valuable positive.

Among those five stakes-winners for Shergar was the mighty Authall (GB), who won the Group I Irish St Leger, before venturing to Australia where he won both the Group I MRC Caulfield Stakes and AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Pretty SnitzelAnother standout, the Aga Khan's Group III winning filly Tashtiya, the third dam of Pretty Snitzel, who will be offered by Rothwell Park as Lot 1316 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Aga Khan Studs sent a number of mares to Arrowfield in 2008 to be bred in partnership with the Arrowfield sires and within the group was unraced Sinndar mare Tazkara (Fr), the dam of Pretty Snitzel, who is now for sale.

An eye-catching grey daughter of Australia's champion sire Snitzel, Pretty Snitzel raced just once, but her four other siblings are all winners highlighted by South African Group I winner Whisky Baron, the Champion Middle Distance Horse of South Africa for 2016/2017.

Pretty Snitzel's half-sister Downtown Manhattan raced just three times winning once at Murwillumbah, but has proven her worth immediately at stud with her first foal, a colt by Olympic Glory (IRE) fetching $600,000 at the Magic Millions this year for Arrowfield when bought by Katsumi Yoshida.

$600,000 Olympic Glory colt from a half-sister to Pretty SnitzelA young mare with an international pedigree offering appeal to buyers from all over the world, Pretty Snitzel will be offered in foal on a September service to Medaglia D'Oro (USA).

A champion sire for Godolphin in North America and here in Australia where he has left Group I colts Vancouver and Astern, Medaglia D'Oro will not shuttle to Australia any more so Pretty Snitzel's first foal will be in his last crop of yearlings to be sold at Australasian sales in 2020.

Pretty Snitzel is available for inspection at Stable J4.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.