Schwarz Horse’s Future Plans Considered After Group 1

With Schwarz Horse securing his first Group 1 race win, discussions are now underway to determine his next step before the breeding season. A possible trip to England is on the table, adding to the considerations for his racing career before retirement.

Co-trainer John O’Shea confirmed that Rosemont Stud would make the final decision regarding the future of the four-year-old son of Zoustar. However, the timing suggests he could have one more race before heading to stud. The $1 million Group 1 race Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm on May 31 stands as the primary local option, while an international campaign at Royal Ascot for the Group 1 race Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m) in June is also being discussed.

Trainer John O’Shea discussed future plans for Australian racehorse on Monday morning, highlighting two possible paths for the talented sprinter.

“We could bring him to Melbourne, have him trial down the straight, and if he performs well, then Royal Ascot becomes a possibility. Those are the two main options for him if he is to race again.”

With these considerations, the Australian racehorse may either compete in Brisbane or head to Melbourne for further preparation. If the trial run in Melbourne proves successful, the prospect of racing at Royal Ascot could become a reality. Fans of the Australian racehorse will be eager to see which direction his connections choose in the coming weeks.

Regardless of the decision, Schwarz Horse is set to retire to stud this year, where he is expected to attract significant interest. O’Shea asserted that the horse satisfies all the necessary credentials to afford his career nicely.

Schwarz Horse’s Group 1 race win in the William Reid Stakes marked his sixth victory from 12 starts. While he has previously won at Flemington, his only experience racing down the straight resulted in a seventh-place finish in the Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes (1200m) last year. That race was won by Maharba.

Although that outing did not go as planned, O’Shea believes Schwarz Horse can improve if given another chance with better preparation.

“I’m a great believer in historical precedents, and the best horses to take to Ascot are those that have performed well in a Lightning Stakes or a Newmarket Handicap,” he explained.

“In that sense, he doesn’t exactly fit the usual profile, but when he ran down the straight, I would have approached it differently if given another chance.”

Schwarz Horse’s success is a major achievement for the Rosemont-led Victorian Alliance, which has invested over $20 million in yearlings at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 sales. As part of their first crop, Schwarz Horse was acquired for $1.25 million at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

The colt comes from an impressive bloodline. He is out of the Not A Single Doubt mare Summer Sham, whose grand dam is a half-sister to Redoute’s Choice, making him an attractive prospect for breeding.

With Schwarz Horse’s racing career nearing its conclusion, the decision on whether he run once more before retirement will shape his legacy on the track. Whether it is a local send-off in Brisbane or an international showcase at Royal Ascot, his next race will be highly anticipated.