News

February Horse of the Month

7th Mar 2007

William Inglis & Son is immensely proud of its graduates who every month promote our name in winners circles around the globe.

This month we are delighted to recognise the achievements of

SHAFT

Breeding: 2yo colt by Flying Spur ex Traceable, by Rahy (USA)
Vendor: Arrowfield Stud as agent
Owners: Woodlands Stud
Trainer: J. R. Hawkes

Through early inspections as a yearling on the farm, the then unnamed Flying Spur colt exuded presence; he had what many note as the ‘wow factor’. Although hard to explain, it is sometimes described as a sense or feeling that people get when they know they are dealing with something special.

To date no galloper has received this award after only a handful of starts, but the confidence held in Shaft has assured himself a worthy recipient of the Inglis Horse of The Month for February, after only one start.

Sent to the 2006 William Inglis & Son Australian Easter Yearling Sale under the draft of Arrowfield Stud as agent, the colt was a star from the moment he arrived at the Newmarket Complex. Filling the arduous selection criteria of astute judges John Hawkes and Trevor Lobb, the colt was knocked down to Australasia’s leading breeding operation, Mr Bob Ingham’s Woodlands Stud for $900,000.

Debuting on February 24 at Rosehill Gardens and giving away race experience to a quality field of 2YOs, Shaft exploded midway down the straight to capture the $200,000 Group Two STC Silver Slipper Stakes over 1100m. Asked by jockey Darren Beadman for something extra at the 100m mark, the Flying Spur colt responded in the way of a true professional, scoring by a half-length margin, leaving stakes-winners Husson Lightning, Murtajill, Miss Watagan and Hurried Choice in his wake.

With Shaft’s connections having secured victory in this race for the previous two years, many judges felt his victory was superior to that of Woodlands’ past winners Plagiarize and Domesday.

Jumping amongst the top lines of betting for this year’s Group One STC Golden Slipper after his authoritive win, Shaft will join what could be as many as four stablemates in the $3.5 million event, which includes fellow 2006 William Inglis & Son Easter Yearling graduates Forensics and Camarilla. Looking to try and emulate the deeds of his 1995 Group One STC Golden Slipper winning sire, Flying Spur, Shaft is sure to prove a worthy adversary in the world’s richest 2YO race.

From arguably one of the best families in the Australian Stud book, Shaft’s grand-dam, the multiple Group One winning South African Champion 2YO Filly Tracy’s Element is closely related to stakes winners Danasinga, Cullen, Towkay, Topasannah, Suntagonal, Prince Of War, Happy Morning, Fatal Attraction and the up and coming Melbourne Cup aspirant Prince Arthur.

With a possible stud career on the cards for Shaft, his extremely commercial pedigree coupled with his outstanding conformation will hold the boom galloper in high regard upon his racetrack retirement.

William Inglis & Son would like to congratulate the connections of Shaft and wish them the best of luck for his up coming assignments, with his ultimate aim this campaign being the Group One STC Golden Slipper