Shumookh Opens Her Stakes Account in a Thriller

Mark Smith - Saturday September 22

After chasing home the likes of D'argento, Alizee, Unforgotten and Shoals home in the autumn, Emirate Park's royally-bred Dream Ahead (USA) filly Shumookh fought like a tiger to edge Champagne Cuddles in Saturday's $400,000 Group II Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Shumookh and Champagne Cuddles faced off for the last 300 metres with neither refusing to yield but it was Shumookh that got the bob with Princess Posh finishing fast to claim third. (photo Steve Hart).


It was the first stakes win for Shumookh who advanced her record to 2 wins, 3 seconds and 1 third from 7 starts with earnings of $384,495

"Tim got her in a lovely rhythm and I loved the way she came again," Waterhouse said.

"I thought we had got knocked out on the post and when I watched the slow motion I thought 'no we've got it'.

"She was terrific. That what you look for. You look for those horses that can dig deep. She has been a very honest filly and she showed she had made the quantum leap.

"She'll have a great spring because this is really a Group 1 field."

A half-sister to the Group II-placed Shedad (Fastnet Rock), Shumookh is the sixth winner from as many to race out of the top-class mare Shamekha (Secret Savings) whose 8 wins included the Group 1 AJC TJ Smith Stakes, Group 1 All Aged Stakes and Group 1 STC Coolmore Classic while accumulating prizemoney of $1.8 million.

Shamekha has had just one live foal since Shumookh, the 2yo Snitzel filly Shuwaamekh.

She was covered by Pride Of Dubai last spring but missed.

Shumookh becomes the 20th stakes-winner for Aquis Farm's 5-time Group 1 winner Dream Ahead (USA) who is serving the current season at a fee of $16,500

Advertisment
More Reading...
Kiwi Sprinter to Target Oakleigh Plate
Riccarton trainer Michael Pitman has never been afraid to travel his horses in search of lucrative prizemoney and the right conditions.
More Stakes Success for Dream Ahead Sprinter
A last start third in the Group I Ascot British Champions Sprint Stakes, classy Dream Ahead sprinter Donjuan Triumphant gained some consolation when taking out the Listed Wentworth Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday.
21st Stakes-Winner for Dream Ahead
Aquis shuttler Dream Ahead (USA) sired his 21st stakes-winner on Boxing Day when progressive sprinter Sensei scored a tenacious win in the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1200m) in New Zealand bringing a terrific pedigree update for his yearling half-brother headed to the 2019 Magic Millions.
Kiwi Grey Targets Subzero on Cup Day
The Subzero Handicap (1400m), a race solely for registered grey thoroughbreds, has proven to be a fan favourite at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day, and this year, Kiwis will have their own grey to barrack for.
French Group Three Winner for Dream Ahead
Aquis shuttler Dream Ahead (USA) is the sire of progressive four year-old Tornibush, who claimed his biggest win when taking out the he Group III Prix dup Pin at Longchamp on Sunday.
Kiwi Longshot Hope for Cup
Grant Cooksley came tantalisingly close to getting his hands on the Melbourne Cup as a jockey, and he is hoping to rectify that on Tuesday as a trainer when he lines-up Trust In You in the two-mile feature.
Melbourne Cup Tips – Tara Talks Racing
Tara Talks Racing is now online having had a Sunday arvo drink or two as we go through the Cup horses, so what do Clocker and I like for this year’s Melbourne Cup?
Zoustar 6YO Stepping up to 2000m
Pre-post favourite Habana will head into unfamiliar territory at Ellerslie, but there is confidence in his camp that it will be a smooth transition.
Dream Ahead's Renewal Opens Stakes Account
Honest, Dream Ahead (USA) gelding Renewal defied the pattern of the day when he came from the tail of the field to earn a maiden stakes win in Sunday’s Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Will it be a fairytale finish for Tasmanian-bred mare The Map?
Fresh from sweeping the sire awards at the 2024 Tasmanian Racing Awards this season, the Armidale Stud team is in line for another significant achievement with The Map (Alpine Eagle x This Moment) flying the flag for resident stallion Alpine Eagle in the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 5 November.