Linebacker secures a touchdown for Super Seth in Australia

The John O’Shea-trained Linebacker (NZ) was an impressive winner on debut at Hawkesbury on Wednesday for his Waikato Stud-based sire, Super Seth. Linebacker is the first Australian winner for the G1 Caulfield Guineas victor.

On Wednesday, at Hawkesbury, the John O’Shea-trained Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) was a sensational debut winner.

The son of Waikato Stud’s first-season sire Super Seth, ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, gave nothing else a chance when he burst away from the field at the top of the Hawkesbury straight, winning by 3.94l on a Heavy 8 surface.

Finishing behind Linebacker was the royally bred Bosustow (Blue Point {Ire}) and Iceman (Rubick).

Understandably, McEvoy was impressed by Linebacker, telling Sky Racing, “He’s always been a horse with plenty of promise.

“I know John (O’Shea) and the team have been happy with him. Linebacker performed very well at the trials a few weeks ago and showed he’s got ability, and he did so again today.

“He’s above average, for sure.”

Linebacker brought trial form around the stakes-winning High Octane (Deep Field), who is set to contest Saturday’s G1 Blue Diamond S. alongside the fellow O’Shea-trained Getafix (Calyx {GB}), who won impressively on debut.

Super start

The colt is the third winner for the G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth, who stands at the famed Waikato Stud in New Zealand.

Mark Chittick of Waikato Stud told The Thoroughbred Report, “Hugely exciting for Super Seth to sire his first Australian winner. I believe there’s plenty more waiting in the wings.

“I actually just got off the phone to John O’Shea and he thinks Linebacker will be the perfect horse for The Kiwi next year.

“Which is interesting because he was the one who wasn’t so supportive of the race,” Chittick laughs.

“There seems to be a number of good horses around so it’s very encouraging. A great sign is that as 2-year-olds they are showing plenty of natural ability.”

Super Seth has had 11 runners to the track, headed by the stakes-performed Poetic Champion (NZ). Linebacker is the first Australian winner for the son of Dundeel (NZ).

Linebacker is the third foal from the Oasis Dream (GB) mare Garden Of Swans (GB). She was unraced and offered at the 2017 Tattersalls December Mares Sale where Dean Hawthorne (BAFNZ) paid 160,000gns (AU$323,000).

Garden Of Swans is owned by Jonathan Munz’s GSA Bloodstock, who bred Linebacker. Previously, the daughter of Oasis Dream had produced fillies by Savabeel named Landscaped (NZ) and Domain Gardens (NZ).

Garden Of Swans was exported to Australia and in August foaled a filly by Super Seth’s sire Dundeel (NZ). She revisited the Arrowfield-based sire last spring. Garden Of Swans is a half-sister to Mukhadram (GB).

Linebacker was a NZ$160,000 purchase by John O’Shea Racing and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Haunui Farm at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.

This is an edited version of the TTR Aus NZ article written by Keely Mckitterick.