Australia Filly Beats The Boys In Leger Trial

The progressive Shamida (3f Australia - Shamooda, by Azamour) produced a game performance to beat older horses in the Group 3 Irish St Leger Trial at the Curragh on Sunday.

The Dermot Weld-trained filly finished third to subsequent Ribblesdale heroine Warm Heart (Galileo) before winning a Leopardstown maiden and progressed to take the Group 3 Stanerra Stakes next time out. She was sent off favourite for Sunday’s mile and six furlong test, despite being the sole filly and sole three-year-old in the field. Held up by Chris Hayes, she eased into second after the three furlong pole and produced a challenge soon after. Improving to lead approaching the final furlong, she stayed on well under pressure to deny Dawn Rising (Galileo) by half a length, with another six lengths back to the third.

“This is a very game, brave, tough three-year-old,” Weld said after the race. “Two of those horses today won at Royal Ascot last time out so it was a very good trial. I think she's a very high class filly, she's won back-to-back Group races and beaten colts, geldings and fillies.”

Weld earmarked the Group 1 Prix de Royallieu as Shamida’s next target. Owned and bred by His Highness the Aga Khan, Shamida is one of 20 individual Group winners by Australia.