Half-brother to Shamexpress the First Foal for Waikato Stud

4 August 2013

A strapping half-brother to the 2013 Gr.1 Newmarket Hcp winner Shamexpress (O’Reilly) has provided Waikato Stud with its first foal of the season.

Arriving in textbook fashion at 6:20am on Sunday, the regally-bred foal is by Redoute’s Choice and is out of the Gr.1 producing Volksraad mare, Volkrose.

“He’s a nice, big, attractive colt,” said Waikato Stud’s Foaling Manager, Lisa Beattie of the star arrival.

Interestingly, the Roger Gordon, Richard Rutherford and Tim Davis-bred foal could well have his impressive pedigree page added to this season, with Melbourne trainer Danny O’Brien citing the $1 million Gr.1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 9 as the target ahead for his O’Reilly half-brother Shamexpress.

To produce a full-sibling to this Australian Gr.1 winning sprinter, Volkrose will visit O’Reilly in 2013.

Oaks Day glory for Waikato Stud-bred Sulek

Waikato Stud enjoyed a special moment on Oaks Day at Flemington on Thursday, when the New Zealand-bred gelding Sulek – by Super Seth out the O’Reilly mare Tiff And Co, saluted on one of the biggest days of the racing calendar and in front of an international crowd. Bred by the farm in partnership with the Dowager Duchess of Bedford, Sulek took out the A$500,000 Cirka Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final (1600m) for the third and most lucrative win of his career.

5 November 2026

The Corner with Garry Chittick

And so, another Melbourne Cup has been run. Regretfully, Mary and I were not there. I have no idea how many we attended up until COVID, and I miss the Cup week. Victoria prides itself as the sporting capital of Australia; it may be, they certainly know how to create an event.