Lady Shenandoah’s incredible spring carnival reached another memorable high at Flemington today when she scored a breathtaking victory in the G1 Empire Rose Stakes.
Having defeated the boys in the G1 Toorak Handicap at her most recent start prior to today, Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) returned to mares grade on Day 1 of the Melbourne Cup Carnival today and showed her superior class to secure the easiest of victories.
The Chris Waller-trained 5YO is now a five-time G1 winner having won the Flight Stakes, Surround Stakes and Coolmore Classic as a 3YO.
Owner Hermitage Thoroughbreds, working with Waller and bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster, purchased Lady Shenandoah for $525,000 at the Easter Yearling Sale, where she was offered by Arrowfield, who co-bred the mare with Planette Thoroughbreds.
It capped a huge day at Flemington for the Waller/Hermitage/Mulcaster combination, who also teamed up at the Easter Sale to purchase today’s G1 Victoria Derby winner Stormy Marco.
Lady Shenandoah is one of 129 individual G1-winning Inglis graduates since 2018.
She led in a G1 trifecta of Inglis graduates today, defeating Concord Connie and and Idle Flyer.
Arrowfield’s John Messara described today’s results as a “marquee day’’ for Arrowfield.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to see Lady Shenandoah win her fifth Group 1 race on a stunning, marquee day for our partners Hermitage Thoroughbreds, for Chris Waller and for Arrowfield stallions and graduates,’’ Messara said.
“It’s been so exciting to see Snitzel add Lady Shenandoah’s Empire Rose, plus a Group 1 quinella by The Next Episode and St Gotthard, as well as the Golden Eagle Group 1 quinella by Arrowfield graduates Skyhook and Decorum plus Group victories by The Roaring Sun and Regal Ambition, both also Arrowfield sale graduates.
“We look forward to presenting Snitzel’s final crop of yearlings at the 2027 sales.
“This is my life’s work, my family’s work and my team’s work and it’s what we strive to achieve every day, every season, every year. I’m immensely proud of results like these and I’m very grateful to every breeder, owner and trainer who has shared and continues to share our dreams and our goals.’’
