Shrug scores in Sir Winston Churchill Handicap

Already a two-time Stakes winner, Shrug notched his third Stakes victory in the Listed Sir Winston Churchill Handicap at Hastings Park, USA. The son of Medaglia d'Oro pressured the pace in second early on in the 1700m race, before moving into contention on final turn, going on to hold off all challengers in the straight to secure another Stakes victory.

The four-year-old won the Green Flash Handicap at Del Mar in August of 2012, and succeeded in the George Royal Stakes over the Hastings track in April.

Bred by Liberation Farm and Stonewall Farm, Shrug was a $300,000 Keeneland September yearling. He is out of the Stakes-placed mare Babeinthewoods, and is a half-brother to Stakes-placed Mystic Wood as well as the dam of G2 winner Rendezvous. His granddam is G1 Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes winner Delicate Vine.

A fantastic sire of runners on all surfaces, Medaglia d'Oro has sired nine talented G1 winners. His daughter Marketing Mix scored her second G1 victory on the turf in the G1 Gamely Stakes May 28, having previously won the G1 Rodeo Drive Stakes in 2012. He has also been recently represented by G1 CashCall Futurity winner Violence and dual Graded Stakes winner Dark Cove. Among his most notable progeny are Horse Of The Year Rachel Alexandra and G1 Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty. He is the sire of 22 Graded/Group winners to date.

The leading first-season sire at this year's Inglis Easter yearling sale, Medaglia d'Oro will stand the forthcoming breeding season at Darley Kelvinside at a fee of $55,000 (inc. GST).