The selection of yearlings for Champion Thoroughbreds is a detailed and exhaustive process designed to single out athletes that will succeed under the rigours of Australian racing.

 

It is this process that has been vital to the success of John O’Shea as a trainer and has led him to selecting stars such as:

• Racing To Win ($3.6m and 5 times Gr1 winner)
• Charge Forward ($1.2m, Gr1 winner and now stallion)
• Primus ($524,000 and 2 times stakes winner now stallion)
• Fast ‘n’ Famous ($447,000 and Gr3 winner)
• Just Mambo ($217,000 and Gr2 winner)
• Cool Front ($319,000 and Gr3 winner)
• Men At Work ($393,000 and Listed winner, Gr1 placed)
• Get Square ($147,000 and Gr3 winner)
• Fist of Fury ($207,000 and Gr1 placed
• Espurante ($300,000 and Listed winner)
• Silently ($160,000 and Listed winner)
• Jessicabeel ($464,900) and Gr1 winner)
• Legsman ($261,210 and Listed winner, Gr3 placed)
• Zabrasive ($445,950 and Gr1 winner)

 

1. When the yearling catalogues arrive John O’Shea assesses every pedigree looking for close relations he has trained or knows have ability that has yet to be exposed on the racetrack. Jason Abrahams works through the pedigrees of each yearling looking for nicks and crosses that have had great success. Pedigrees are also assessed by an outside pedigree expert.

 

2. John and Jason visit the major consignors of yearlings ahead of the sales to inspect the yearlings and see how they are progressing. This check is a vital step in yearling assessment as it allows for a comparison to be made on the progress of individuals when they are seen again on the sales ground in a few weeks time.

 

3. John and Jason work through every consignment of yearlings at the yearling sale looking for athletes. Those yearlings that meet the criteria of athleticism from both judges will be placed on a short list of possible. This shortlist represents approximately the top 20 percent of the sales catalogue.

 

4. The shortlist is then viewed once more and every aspect of the yearling is scrutinized. It is vitally important to compare the cream of the yearlings against one another so that only the most athletic are singled out.

 

5. A list is made of these yearlings that are selected by both John and Jason and Dr. James Whitfield does a thorough clinical examination on all of them. Those that pass the clinical examination are x-rayed.

 

6. Only about five percent of the catalogue meets the physical requirements of John, Jason and Dr. Whitfield. These yearlings become ‘the wish list’.

 

7. These yearlings are then given a dollar valued according to the commercial appeal of their pedigree, conformation and athleticism. It is vitally important not to value yearlings before this process as it can inhibit judgement.

 

8. John will then bid on the best of these yearlings for Champion Thoroughbreds.


John O'Shea and Jason Abrahams following Jessicabeel's Gr1 Syndey Cup win