Shaun Dwyer has had many success stories in his racing career. The following are highlights of some of Shaun’s most memorable to date. Also highlighted are Shaun’s Group and Listed Race results.

Miss Leonidas (I Am Invincible/Happy Play)

Career:   16  5-3-3     $670,800.00

19/10/2019 – 1st – Caulfield Sprint – Group 2 – Caulfield 1,000m

27/09/2019 – 2nd- Moir Stakes – Group 1 – Moonee Valley 1,000m

13/04/2019 – 1st – Bel Esprit Stakes – Listed – Caulfield 1,100m

The best thing about this filly is that it has provided a stellar group of horse racing owners with the thrills we all dream of. Some long time owners, some acquaintances, ‘now all friends’. “Chyna” as she is better known was always going to be good, very athletic with good genetics, we just had to manage her mentally (some of the sires produce inherit this along with loads of talent).

Many thanks to her owner, Todd Lichti, and the  lease owners for having the patience to allow me to take the time to get her to the highest level of racing. Her racing pattern is a thrill a second, her ‘rare speed’ (quote from D. Oliver) puts her in the race from the ‘get go’ and for all of us that are privileged to be on the ride she has been an excitement machine. She is a sound, tough mare with great resilience and even though she has had a couple of kinks to that need continual ironing out she has matured beautifully and is a pleasure to train.

We hope it’s not over yet!!

**(Click anywhere on the above article to see Miss Leonidas winning the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (October 2019))

 

 

Villa Verde (Not A Single Doubt/Young and Free)

Career:    19   3-2-1        $653,950.00

06/11/2012 – 1st – Ottawa Stakes (Listed)- Flemington – 1,000m

17/10/2012 – 1st – Debutante Stakes 2YO (Listed) – 1,000m

23/03/2013 – 2nd – Reisling Stakes (Group 2) – 1,200m

A great filly purchased for $95K at Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale for long time stable client Mike Buys. Bought from Todd Lichti, now a friend/client and stable pedigree adviser. I got a bit nervous as the bidding escalated as I told Mike that 60/65 would buy her. At $85K I got on the phone to him, “I bloody love grey horses, just buy it!!” came the reply. Mike then told friend Rob Willis you’re in too.

Both Geri and I loved this filly and had her paraded quite a few times, we asked a friend and well known bloodstock agent for his thoughts and his reply was “not athletic enough”. However we stuck to our guns and the rest is history. 

“Boobs”, her stable name, was the complete package from the first day at the track and possible the most ‘ready made’ horse I have trained. As time went by, Courtney Pace, her work rider grew more and more impressed, although not until she won a Tatura trial did she quote “you don’t always listen to me, but this is the best horse you’ll ever have”. How close to the truth she was. A blistering win in the Debutante Stakes at Caulfield (with some nice bets picked up) was followed by an outstanding gallop at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day in the 2YO Fillies Listed Ottawa Stakes.Unfortunately a respiratory allergy beset her and we struggled to get her to her top again. A trip to Sydney produced a 2nd to Overreach in the Silver Slipper and she ran 7th in the Golden Slipper.

My decision to send to her to Anthony Cummings in Sydney left many stunned but Randwick had a ‘Salt Box’ treatment facility for horses with respiratory ailments and I felt that it was in the horses best interest to have the treatment available. She won the challenge Stakes after going to Anthony but could not maintain her brilliance with the issue she had.

However, not bad – $95K purchase – $650,000 in prizemoney and sale price as a broodmare of $1.1m – Great story – Oh, and the punt!!!!

Lazyaxl – (Bianconi/Gypsy Battalia)

27 Starts. 5-1-2 $103,740

This was the one that, regrettably, got away who was sent to us as a young unraced horse by the owners at another trainers recommendation (thank you, you know who you are!).

A magnificent big athlete he had everything going for him except what you can’t see, his mentality on the track. A lovely horse to handle on the ground he became a very tough horse to work on the track. Courtney Pace, a very experienced and competent rider would attest to the fact that prior to racing he showed a little waywardness and she felt that the horse was getting to the ‘I’ve had enough’ stage. However a terrific gallop put us on track for a first up run at our home track. He duly bolted in and we headed off to Flemington (as you do). Michael Rodd rode him in a 1,400m 3YO Listed race. It was a perfect ride by Michael and he kicked clear at the 200m only to be run down late to deadheat for 3rd. Michael told the owner they had a nice horse and would have a lot of fun. Later he assured me that the horse had genuine Group 1 potential. It was never to be, he just pulled too hard on the track and in his races. Fortunately he did win 3 more for us but at shorter distances over 1,000m and 1,200m with three of the best on top, Nikita Beriman, Damian Oliver and Dwayne Dunn. His owners and the horse deserved better. There are not too many horses I would like to have over again but he was one. I wish I could have taught him what he taught me.

Anudjawun – (Yamanin Vital/Perceptible)

49 Starts. 2-11-7 $326,285

Only winning 2 races a 1,400m Maiden at Bendigo and a 3000m BM 84 at Moonee Valley along with 11 seconds, 7 thirds including Group placing in Victoria, NSW and Queensland he was a people’s favourite, but a little maligned by some insensitive media (not all). Near misses in the Group 2 Chairman’s Handicap (2600m) at Randwick, the Group 3 Lexus Quality (2500m) at Flemington and the Caloundra Cup (2400m) on the Sunshine Coast showcased Anudjawun’s talent against some of the country’s elite stayers.

We loved this bloke, affectionately known as ‘Nudge’ he raced from a 4YO until 9YO. He had two bone chip operations in his racing life and tried his heart out putting in a career best to finish 4th to Americain (with a little luck in the running) in the Moonee Valley Cup. Americain went on to Melbourne Cup glory.

Nudge continued his popularity off the track as Bendigo-based eventing rider Clare Wheatley took him on as an Off The Track Eventing prospect.

But while he may not have lived up to some lofty expectations on the racetrack, the son of Yamamin Vital is showing rider Clare Wheatley enough talent to suggest his career Off the Track may have a few more wins in store.

Nudge, along with ‘Africa’ were two horses put together as staying prospects, not racing until they turned 4YO to give them plenty of time to mature. Both horses names are a story in themselves. Anaudjawun’s name came from the Northern Teriitory where a little Aboriginal boy, counting on his fingers, went ‘a one, a two, a three, a four, a five, anudjawun, anudjawun, anudjawun. Africa was aptly named for ‘Another F***ing Racehorse I can’t Afford’ and was retired a slow Maiden.

PACIFIC DANCER (Groom Dancer/Pacific Gem)

Career 30  –  5-4-3   –   $370,806.00

03/07/2004  –  3rd  –  Caloundra Cup (Listed)

15/07/2004   – 1st  –  Grafton Cup (Group 3)

28/08/2004  –  2nd  –  Memsie Stakes (Group 2)

20/10/2004  –  1st  –  Geelong Cup (Group 3)

This horse came to me from a New Zealand client, John Thompson, whom I met during my time with ‘Bart’. The horse came to me after winning a Maiden in New Zealand with the hope he could win the Queensland Derby. Unfortunately, he never made the field. His initial win for us was in a 1,500m Class 5 at Ipswich (first up) where he bolted in. A good win over 1,800m at Eagle Farm earmarked him as a stayer with a lot of upside. Dreaming, again, we aimed him at the Grafton Cup over 2,400m where he produced a career best run to win easily with Michael Rodd on top. – The Melbourne Cup -???  Who knows. John was keen to pursue it and there was no argument from me. After 3 runs he belted in the 204 Geelong Cup in the 3rd fastest running of it and we were off to the Cup. An amazing 2 weeks of excitement and anticipation ensued. It was great to be there but 40ml of rain 1/2 an hour before the race certainly put a downer on it. The horse was an absolute duffer in the wet and beat only two horses home.

The horse returned to New Zealand for two campaigns but unfortunately he had knee issues and never won another race. He was a sensational horse with a blistering turn of foot.

Regimental Gal (General Nediym/Hallaya)

Career – 17   –  7-2-4    –   $1,615,350.00

11/01/2003  –  1st   – Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO – 1,200m

09/08/2003  –  1st  –  San Domenico (Group 2) – 1,000m – Randwick

23/08/2003  –  1st  –  Silver Shadow (Group 2) – 1,200m – Randwick

06/09/2003  –  2nd –  Furious (Group 3) –  1,400m  – Randwick

08/02/2004  –  1st  –  Lightning (Group 1) – 1,000m  – Flemington

06/03/2004  –  3rd   – Newmarket (Group 1)  – 1,200m  – Flemington

20/03/2004 – 1st  –  Australia Stakes (Group 1) 1,200m – Moonee Valley

Very early days. 2002 Magic Millions Sales. I had been in Toowoomba for 2 years having had a little success. We were keen to test our eye’s on a first season sire and General Nediym was one of those fitting our thoughts. Geri and I did a lot of leg work and settled on the Hallaya filly, a real stunner, well muscled and seemingly out of our price range for such a quality, good looking horse. $16.5K later we were ecstatic. A syndicate of 4 Toowoomba business men took 55% and between family, friends, a couple of ‘lucky’ Aussie Asian fellows and their accountant we filled the ownership. (Geri still swears on the luck of the Chinese.)

The filly was a very tough racehorse from day one. At an early 2YO jumpout over 600m with Kristy Banks on board she showed us her potential. We had offers of $120K for her on the strength of that one jumpout which really emphasised her quality. Winning 3 from her first 4 starts this culminated in an all the way win in the 2003 2YO Magic Millions with a young apprentice, Michael Rodd, on board. It gave us an unimaginable thrill (and me a terrible hangover the next morning!). Missing the Winter ‘Reggie’ blitzed “Spark Of Life’ ($1.90 fav) in the San Domenico at Randwick. This win along with Miss Leonidas’ brilliant 6 length win at Moonee Valley are the two most emphatic and satisfying performances in my training career. They defined both the horses as top class racehorses. Reggie going on to win 2 Group 1’s. She was an amazing horse to a lot of people and gave us the ride of our lives. Unfortunately, like most great 2YO’s she eventually succumbed to unsoundness issues and was retired as a 5YO. 

Not Bad – $1,615,350.00 in winnings and sold for $800,000.00 as a brood mare. Plus the punt for many loyal supporters. (They know who they are!!)

DUTCH HARRY

26 Starts. 4-3-5 $291,650

If ever there was a sentiment horse, this fellow and Anudjawun would dead heat. Both were horses with a huge personality. Horses whose careers suffered from injury.

Bought by Mike Buys and Rob Willis at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale in 1999 John O’Shea (a workmate from the Waterhouse/Cummings days) recommended he be sent to my newly established stables in Toowoomba. Dutch Harry was named after Mike’s Dutch Grandfather (a gunner in the Dutch Airforce) and raced in the the diagonal orange and blue colours of the Dutch flag.

Without a doubt he was and still is the best natured horse I have ever had. A beautiful bay colt who never had a worry in the world. His career got going as an early 2YO with two 3rd’s at his first two starts before he won his 4th race start in the Magic Millions 2YO Consolation Hcp running a slick 1:09 for the 1,200m on Magic Millions day. His best win came as a 3YO in the time honoured Tattersall’s Mile over 1,600m at Eagle Farm. ‘Dutchy’, as he was commonly called raced on with a good record of 4 wins and 8 placings and prizemoney of $291,000.00. A great result for a cheap horse. Once again Mike, Rob and the co-owners managed to have a bet on the right days.

After bowing a tendon he was retired to Oakwood Farm and with limited mares did a good job at stud. His first to race was Dutchy’s Lass who won a Listed Fillies race at Moonee Valley. He now has a loving home at Deep Water serving polo mares. God Bless him!

Don’t Tell Clang

25 Starts. 4-1-2 $170,150

26/03/2005 – 1st – Adrian Knox (Gr3) – Randwick – 2,000m

Another filly we acquired after she had ‘no joy’ as a 2YO. Being by Clang (same sire as Calaway Gal – 2003 Slipper winner). Unfortunately this win prompted too many owners and trainers of Clang’s progeny to race them as 2YO’s (one swallow doesn’t make a summer) which, as time proved, they weren’t. Clang was by Bellotto and had a pedigree leaning to middle distance and up. His Derby winning son ‘Clangalang’ proved this both as a racehorse and a sire.

Don’t Tell Clang was also able to win two races in Queensland before I sent her to Sydney for my third year in a row to race in the Adrian Knox (Gr3) a 3YO Fillies race. There is quite a twist to this story as one of my trackwork rider’s at the time was Dominique Nutley, (a very competent rider). I asked her if she would like to go with the horse not thinking for a moment she would accept but it turned out that her brother was playing for Cronulla in Sydney at the time and she jumped at the chance to go. My confidence took a dive when the scheduled two hour stopover at Coffs Harbour turned into eight. However she arrived in surprisingly good order and Dom reported that she was ready to go!! Jockey ‘Digger’ McLennan who had been booked 10 days previously couldn’t make the weight. Danny Nicolic and Steven King had planes to catch so young rider George Scimone was legged up. The young boy rode a ‘peach’ of a ride on a heavy track to boot her home by 2 lengths. Great story and result especially for the stable followers who got the juicy odds of 70/1.

Just Polite (Dehere/Polly’s Pocket)

35 Starts. 8-3-4 $188,100

11/09/2004 – 1st – Kingston Town (Gr3) – Rosehill – 2,000m

Great story and a wonderful mare by Dehere. Just Polite was owned by Gold Coast Pool Builder, Michael Laffey, along with bloodstock agent, Damon Gabbedy, and the now Victorian boss of Inglis Bloodstock, Simon Vivian. She was sent to me as a 21 start 4YO with 4 wins so it was a bit of a challenge. Michael informed me that he would forward the past Chiropractor and Vet bills to me but not really interested in the past I informed him that it was not necessary. He was adamant as the bills were so huge he thought she’d been in a train accident and he wanted my opinion. However, true to her pedigree and genetics, she came along nicely with only a little unsoundness She had two nice wins in Queensland and this led me to look at a ‘black type’ race over the Sydney Carnival which produced a very good win in the Gr3 Kingston Town Stakes over 2,000m. This was followed by a ‘gutsy’ 3rd in the Hill Stakes over 1,900m 7 days later. A trip to Melbourne followed where her legs ‘ran out’ with bone chips on the knee’s.

She went on to become a good broodmare producing 4 winners. Lovely mare.

Crianca – (Woodman/Supermodel)

16 Starts. 4-1-1 $308,700

19/04/2003 – 1st – Adrian Knox (Gr3) – Randwick – 2,000m

A $20K yearling purchase at Karaka for good client Kev Thompson. An exceptional chestnut filly who grew into a very athletic racehorse winning her first start easily, at good odds, at Doomben. As a 3YO she won her first 2 runs back at Ispwich over 1,350m and 1,666m. Not to be put off by a subsequent defeat at Doomben we sent her to Sydney for the 3YO Fillies Classic, The Adrian Knox (Gr3) Stakes. A great lead up run at Kembla Grange 2 1/2 weeks prior finishing 4th in a 1,600m Fillies Listed race had her ready. A good wet tracker she found the slow track to her liking and led all the way to win by 3 lengths at 40/1 after a superb Greg Childs ride.

As with a lot of the 3YO Fillies she failed to win another race. A good money earner though as she earned over $300,000.00 in prizemoney. In a sad end she died in a paddock accident before going to stud.

Listed Race

Mar 01, 2008

ATAPI – (Last Tycoon/Pride Of Ingenue)

01/03/2008 – 1st – Falvelon Quality (Listed) 1,200m

Listed Race

Jun 11, 2007

ATAPI – (Last Tycoon/Pride Of Ingenue)

11/06/2007 – 1st – Sullivan (Listed) Eagle Farm – 1,600m

Listed Race

Jun 09, 2003

OUR RIO – Our Maiscay/Highland Chase)

09/06/03 – 1st – Douglas Wadley (Listed) – Eagle Farm – 1,200m

Listed Race

Dec 13, 2003

RULE OF ENGAGEMENT – (Danasinga/Ungaro)

13/12/03 – 1st – Meynink (Listed) – Eagle Farm – 1,200m

Listed Race

Dec 14, 2002

REGIMENTAL GAL (General Nediym/Hallaya)

14/12/02 – 1st – McDougall Stakes – Eagle Farm – 1,200m

General

Mar 12, 2008

ATAPI – (Last Tycoon/Pride Of Ingenue)

12/03/2008 – 1st – Gold Coast Quality – 1,200m

General

Jul 21, 2007

ATAPI (last Tycoon/Pride Of Ingenue)

21/07/2007 – 2nd – Tatt’s Mile -(Listed) Eagle Farm 1,600m

General

Jun 02, 2007

ATAPI – (Last Tycoon/Pride Of Ingenue)

02/06/2007 – 3rd – E Williams (Listed) Eagle Farm – 1,500m

General

Aug 14, 2019

METROPOLITAN PREMIERSHIP

The stable has consistently been in the top five places on the Brisbane Metropolitan Premiership and in 2006/07 won the Ipswich Trainers Premiership.

General

Apr 22, 2006

SINGLE ROSE – (Irgun/Waterford Fair)

22/04/06 – 2nd – DJ Power (Listed) – Eagle Farm – 1,200m

General

Jul 02, 2005

ATAPI – (Last Tycoon/Pride Of Ingenue)

02/07/2005 – 1st – Sunshine Coast Guinea’s – 1,560m

General

Jun 25, 2005

ATAPI – (Last Tycoon/Pride Of Ingenue)

25/06/2005 – 1st – Quality – Eagle Farm – 1,600m

General

Jun 25, 2005

LAMOND – (Celestial Dancer/Come Hither Look)

25/06/05 – 3rd – Carlton Draught (Group 3) – Eagle Farm – 1,200m

General

Jun 11, 2005

LAMOND – (Celestial Dancer/Come Hither Look)

25/06/05 – 3rd – Carlton Draught (Group 3) – Eagle Farm – 1,200m

General

Jun 11, 2005

JUST POLITE – (Dehere/Polly’s Pocket)

11/06/05 – 2nd – Gallagher (Listed) – Eagle Farm – 2,212m

General

Jun 04, 2005

ATAPI – (Last Tycoon/Pride Of Ingenue)

04/07/2005 – 3rd – Grand Prix (Gr 2) Eagle Farm – 2,100m

Group 1 Win

Apr 30, 2005

REGIMENTAL GAL (General Nediym/Hallaya)

30/04/05 – 3rd – BTC CUP (Group 2) – Doomben – 1,200m

General

Oct 23, 2004

REGIMENTAL GAL (General Nediym/Hallaya)

23/10/04 – 2nd – Schweppes (Group 2) – Moonee Valley – 1,200m

General

Oct 09, 2004

REGIMENTAL GAL (General Nediym/Hallaya)

09/10/04 – 3rd – Schillaci (Group 2) – Caulfield – 1,000m

General

Sep 18, 2004

JUST POLITE – (Dehere/Polly’s Pocket)

18/09/04 – 2nd – Hill Stakes (Group 2) – Rosehill 1,900m

General

Aug 28, 2004

PACIFIC DANCER – (Groom Dancer/Pacific Gem)

28/08/04 – 2nd – Memsie (Group 2) – Caulfield – 1,400m

General

Jun 05, 2004

RULE OF ENGAGEMENT – (Danasinga/Ungaro)

05/06/04 – 3rd – Sires Produce – (Group 1) – Eagle Farm – 1,400m

General

May 01, 2004

REGIMENTAL GAL (General Nediym/Hallaya)

01/05/04 – 3rd – BTC Cup (Group 2) – Doomben – 1,200m

General

Mar 06, 2004

REGIMENTAL GAL (General Nediym/Hallaya)

06/03/04 – 3rd – Newmarket (Group 1) – Flemington -1,200m

General

Aug 14, 2019

LAMOND – (Celestial Dancer/Come Hither Look)

03/01/04 – 3rd – Gold Coast Stakes (Listed) – Gold Coast – 1,300m

General

Aug 14, 2019

REVOLUTIONS – (Spinning World/Rebel)

Adrian Knox – 2nd – (Group 3) – Randwick – 2,000m

Group 1 Win

Sep 06, 2003

REGIMENTAL GAL (General Nediym/Hallaya)

06/09/03 – 2nd – Furious Stakes – (Group 3) – Randwick – 1,400m

General

May 17, 2003

CRIANCA – (Woodman/Super Model)

17/05/03 – 2nd – Doomben Roses (Group 3) – Doomben – 2,020m

General

Aug 14, 2019

QUEENSLAND TRAINER OF THE YEAR

In 2003 Shaun was Queensland Trainer of the Year and also received the Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Profile of Queensland racing.

General

Aug 14, 2019

REGIMENTAL GAL – (General Nediym/Hallaya)

11/01/03 – 1st – 2YO Magic Millions – Gold Coast – 1,200m

General

Sep 28, 2002

PRINCE HAL – (Danehill/Palace Revolt)

28/09/02 – 2nd – Colin Stephen (Group 3) – Randwick – 2,400m

General

Jun 22, 2002

DUTCH HARRY – (St Covet/Poetic Vale)

22/06/02 – 1st – Tattersall’s Open Mile – Eagle Farm – 1,600m

General

Dec 16, 2001

DUTCH HARRY – (St Covet/Poetic Vale)

16/12/00 – 3rd – Meynink (Listed) – Eagle Farm – 1,200m

General

Jun 23, 2001

DUTCH HARRY – (St Covet/Poetic Vale)

23/06/01 – 3rd – Australia Post Stakes (Listed) – Eagle Farm-1,400m

General

May 07, 2001

DUTCH HARRY – (St Covet/Poetic Vale)

07/05/01 – 2nd – Champagne Classic (Group 3) – Doomben-1,200m

General

Jan 13, 2001

DUTCH HARRY – (St Covet/Poetic Vale)

13/01/01 – 1st – Magic Millions Consolation 2YO-Gold Coast-1,200m

General

May 17, 2000

KAZAKH BELLE – (Semipalatinsk/Rattenburg)

17/05/00 – 2nd – Prime Ministers Cup (Group 2) -Gold Coast-2,400m

General

Nov 23, 2015

REVOLUTIONS – (Spinning World/Rebel)

Lakewood (Group 3) – 2nd – Cheltenham Park – 1,800m

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