Widden Bred and Sold Group One Winner

As a well-seasoned five year-old mare, Robert Smerdon believed Shamal Wind’s opportunity to win a Group I race may have passed, but that all changed at Caulfield on Saturday when the Widden Stud bred and sold daughter of Dubawi (IRE) produced a withering finish to charge home and win the Group I MRC Oakleigh Plate.

A brilliant winner over 1000 metres in Listed company on Australia Day, Shamal Wind was kept fresh for this 1100 metre assignment and produced a career best performance to win by the best part of a length over stablemate Under the Louvre.

Smerdon credited bloodstock agent James Harron for the win, as he brokered the sale of Shamal Wind to her current owners Rob and Donna Love and convinced Smerdon to give her another shot at Group I success.

“Obviously it’s a really good outcome, I’ve got to see the replay to appreciate it,” Smerdon said.

“The owners wanted to give her another try, keep her fresh and have a crack at a Group One so all credit to them.”

A daughter of world-renowned sire Dubawi, Shamal Wind was originally a $55,000 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale purchase for Aquanita Racing from the draft of Widden Stud and has the overall record of eight wins and eight placings from 24  starts with $832,975 in prizemoney.

Bred by Widden Stud in partnership, Shamal Wind is the first foal from Firemaid (USA), a winning half-sister by Machiavellian to stakes-winner Bezrin and to the dam of Group II winner Al Thankhira.

A grand-daughter of Group I winner My Darling One, Firemaid had a Sebring colt last spring and is now in foal to Fastnet Rock.