Shocking is retired to stud

Dual Group I winner Shocking will offer top-class performance, versatility and the looks to match a classic pedigree when he retires to stud in New Zealand this spring.

Shocking will join the roster at Rich Hill Stud in 2011 and is a magnificent individual with brilliant acceleration, he also retires to stud as Australasia's only top-flight winning stallion by the champion sire Street Cry.

"Shocking is a superb type with a unique race record and a global pedigree," Rich Hill studmaster John Thompson said.

"We're confident he will be a highly successful commercial addition to the New Zealand breeding industry.

"His progeny will have also great appeal to our overseas buyers that come here to buy tough, sound horses who can perform at the elite level from 1600 to 3200 metres."

Shocking's race record was ample proof of his ability and stamped him as one of the most versatile racehorses in Australia over the last decade. He had the brilliance to win the Group II Makybe Diva Stakes over 1600m, the class to win the Group I Australian Cup over 2000m and the courage to trounce an international field in the Group I Melbourne Cup over 3200m.

Shocking, who also won the Group III Lexus Stakes over 2500m and ran fourth in the Group I Caulfield Cup, retired as the winner of seven races and $6.4 million.

He was prepared throughout his 27-start career by leading Melbourne trainer Mark Kavanagh.

"The turn of foot he showed in the Australian Cup was nothing short of amazing and when he won the Melbourne Cup he sat three deep all the way and not many horses would be able to do that,” he said.

"He got better with age and he was the quietest and most relaxed horse around the stable – he was right up there with the best of them. He's going to a quality stud where he will get the very best opportunities.”

Top Sydney jockey Corey Brown partnered Shocking in both his Australian and Melbourne Cup triumphs.

"He was a very versatile horse and he'll always hold a special place in my heart," he said.

"He was an absolute gentleman to ride and you could put him anywhere in a race and then just push the button. He showed a turn of foot and there's no doubt riding him has been the highlight of my career.”

An analysis of Shocking's pedigree highlights a number of outstanding Australasian breeding influences.

His sire Street Cry, who commands a service fee of $A100,000 has produced 12 individual Group I winners at all ages, distances and on all surfaces.

Leading North American representatives of the Group I Dubai World Cup winner feature the wonder mare and multiple Group I winner Zenyatta and Breeders' Cup Juvenile and Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense.

In Europe, Street Cry is the sire of Group II Dante Stakes winner Carlton House, who is currently high up in pre-post betting for the Group I Epsom Derby.

Shocking's former stablemate Whobegotyou has also proved himself a top-class performer with Group I victories in the Caulfield Guineas and the Caulfield Stakes.

Shocking is out of Maria Di Castiglia, who is a daughter of the international breed-shaper Danehill, while his grand-dam is a stakes-winning grand-daughter of Roberto. His third dam Morbella is a daughter of Silly Season who has founded an Australasian dynasty through his son Lunchtime, the sire of Snippets and grandsire of Pins.

Shocking was raced by Laurence and Prue Eales, of Eales Racing, who said the time was right for the horse to embark on a stud career following his last start Group I Australian Cup success.

Shocking is currently being syndicated among a number of leading New Zealand breeders with Eales Racing retaining a significant share.

"I have been delighted with the response to the horse from New Zealand breeders,” Thompson said. "Laurence visited New Zealand for the first time last week and was suitably impressed with our environment for breeding and rearing thoroughbreds and is looking forward to the next phase of Shocking's career at Rich Hill.”

Breeders that have already purchased shares include Millfield Stud, Nearco Stud, Colin and Irene Thompson, Bloodstock Resources Ltd, Cambridge Hunt Ltd, Raffles Dancers Pty Ltd, GG Syndicate Ltd, Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan, Oria Road Investments, Tim Harrison, Archer Equine Investments Ltd, Masterpiece Enterprises, Markwood Lodge Ltd, Broadway Partnership and Kevin Algie. Former trainer Mark Kavanagh has also taken an interest in the stallion with a few remaining shares still available.

Shocking was retired sound and is currently spelling in Melbourne, is expected to arrive at Rich Hill in mid-June and will be offered at a service fee of $NZ12,000 +GST with a live foal guarantee. He will stand alongside leading sire Pentire ($NZ30,000 + GST and LFG), champion English 2YO and Derby winner Sir Percy ($NZ15,000 + GST and LFG) and the promising young sire Any Suggestion ($NZ6500 + GST and LFG).

Rich Hill Stud Release