Shamrocker Crowned Champion Australian 3YO Filly

O’Reilly’s star daughter Shamrocker was crowned Australia’s Champion 3YO Filly of 2010/11 at last night’s Australian Racing Awards.

Holding out the likes of Brazilian Pulse, Yosei, Scarlett Lady, Lights of Heaven, Crystal Lily, Absolutely, Dreamaway, Lone Rock and Secret Admirer, Shamrocker was deemed the best of her sex following what was a history-making season.

To this end, the Vern and Margaret Trillo-bred filly redrafted Australia’s history books in 2011 as the first ever filly to land the G1 Australian Guineas (1600m) – G1 Australian Derby (2400m) double.

Raced by Raffles Farm (Mgr Bruce Sherwin) along with Jeff Dimery, Ken Woolley, Andrew Smith, Chris Wylie, Joel Hitt, Ryan Callister and Sam Larkey, Shamrocker demonstrated early ability the season prior as an autumn two-year-old, beating both sexes in the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

Her exceptional classic term subsequently saw her add two G1 wins to her resume, which when combined with the three additional G1 placings that campaign, enabled a smart career earnings tally of nearly NZ$2.5 million.

Endeared to the stallion’s progeny thanks to his G1 Caulfield Cup winner, Master O’Reilly, Shamrocker was snapped up from Valachi Downs’ 2009 NZB Select Sale consignment by trainer Danny O’Brien for NZ$65,000.

Shamrocker is the 11th G1 star for O’Reilly – who himself struck dual G1 success at three and who lifted such titles as Champion NZ 3YO and NZ Horse of the Year in his time.

Looking to Shamrocker’s maternal makeup, the talented 2011 Spring Carnival contender is the first foal to race for the well related 5 time winning Blues Traveller mare Bohemian Blues, who is scheduled to visit O’Reilly again after producing the foal she currently carries to him.

Shamrocker’s superb classic season bodes well for the season ahead for O’Reilly. In 2011/12, he has his largest ever crop of 3YO’s racing.