Shrug succeeds in George Royal Stakes

Shrug, a five-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro, showed his toughness April 28 with a second Stakes victory in the George Royal Stakes at Hastings Park. In the 1300m race Shrug dashed out to the front to set the pace. Challenged coming around the turn, the son of Medaglia d'Oro fought hard to hold his position in first and sealed a victory.

A $300,000 Keeneland September yearling, Shrug was bred by Liberation Farm and Stonewall Farm in Kentucky. He is out of the Stakes-placed Woodman mare Babeinthewoods, and is a half-brother to Stakes-placed Mystic Wood and to the dam of G2 winner Rendezvous. Shrug's second dam is G1 Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes winner Delicate Vine.

Just two days prior, Medaglia d'Oro sired his 21st Graded Stakes winner as Dark Cove cruised in the G2 Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland. Recent top runners by Medaglia d'Oro also include 2012 G1 CashCall Futurity winner Violence and G1-winning turf mare Marketing Mix. He is certainly most renowned for his Horse Of The Year daughter Rachel Alexandra and G1 Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty.

Medaglia d'Oro will stand the coming breeding season at Kelvinside at a fee of $55,000 inc. GST.