Shannon (horse)

Shannon (1941–1955), named Shannon II in America, was an outstanding

He was by the leading sire, Midstream (GB) (sire of 39 stakes-winners that won 120 stakes races) from the race-winner, Idle Words by the good sire, Magpie (GB). Idle Words was the dam of 12 foals, of which 11 raced with 8 winners, including three stakes-winners: Bernbrook (by Midstream), won AJC Doncaster Handicap etc., exported to US; Defame (by Delville Wood) dam of a stakes-winner; and Lysander (by Midstream), won City Tattersall's Cup.^[2][3]

Shannon was owned and trained by Peter Riddle who selected him from the Kia-Ora stud yearlings and paid £367 for him at the Sydney yearling sales.^[1]

1945 and 1946 racebooks

• 
  Front cover of the 1945 Tramway Handicap racebook
• 
  Inside cover of the 1945 Tramway Handicap racebook showing raceday officials
• 
  1945 Tramway Handicap racebook showing the winner, Shannon
• 
  Starters and results of the 1945 Tramway Handicap racebook
• 
  Starters and results of the 1945 Tramway Handicap racebook
• 
  Front cover of the 1946 Campbelltown Handicap racebook
• 
  Starters and results showing the winner, Shannon
• 
  Starters and results of the 1946 Campbelltown Handicap

Racing record

At two years: 1943-1944

He won the 1943

In his first three-year-old start Shannon was unplaced in the STC Flying Handicap, but then won the Hobartville Stakes from a very good field before he finished unplaced in the Rosehill Guineas and AJC Derby. Shannon did not have another race start for ten months.^[1]

At four years: 1945-1946

He started as a four-year-old, with 9 stone 1 pound (58 kg) in the AJC Campbelltown Handicap over 6 furlongs, which he won at long odds. Next he met and defeated the great mare Flight at even weights in the Tattersalls NSW Tramway Handicap. His win in the STC Hill Stakes made him the favourite for the AJC Epsom Handicap. After a good race, Shannon was the winner by a neck from Melhero, and Silent the same distance away in third place. After four starts and four wins for the season Flight relegated him into second place in the Craven Plate. Shannon was then spelled (rested) during the autumn and winter.^[2]

At five years: 1946-1947

As a five-year-old Shannon repeated his Campbelltown Handicap win carrying 9 st 11 lb (62 kg) and at his next start had a win in the Theo Marks Quality Handicap. Shannon is probably best remembered for not winning the Epsom Handicap that season, when he appeared to be unbeatable. As a short-priced favourite for the 1946 Epsom Handicap, Shannon missed the start and did not move from his starting position until the rest of the field had travelled about a hundred metres. Despite the setback his jockey, Darby Munro took off after the field and failed only by half a head to catch the winner Blue Legend, and just past the post he was in front. On his return to scale Munro was given a hostile reception for his ride in the race, it was later disclosed that the starter had failed to see that Shannon was not facing up.^[4]

Two days later, he won the

Sold for

In 1955, Shannon broke a leg and was humanely euthanized. He is buried in an unmarked grave at Green Gates Farm, which was formerly part of Spendthrift Farm.^[8]

Honours

Shannon was the

He was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame on 4 July 2006.^[10] The Shannon Stakes named in his honour is held annually at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse.^[11]

References