Top-class filly Earthquake (Exceed and Excel-Cataclysm, by Marauding) has been retired to stud.
The Godolphin filly was crowned
Champion 2YO in 2013/14 after winning the
Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) and finishing a close second behind Mossfun in the
Gr1 Golden Slipper (1200m).
"She's done an awesome job for us, she's a Group 1 winner and the time is right to send her off to stud as a happy and healthy filly," Godolphin head trainer John O'Shea said.
"I recommended to Henry (Darley's Managing Director in Australia Henry Plumptre) that I don't think there's any point pressing on with her. If you look at the quality of our sprinters at the moment they're absolutely top notch and in the Spring there's only really the Moir Stakes and Manikato Stakes that are suitable for her."
He added, "She's going to be of better service to us as a broodmare providing lovely yearlings going forward."
Speaking on
Sky's Racing HQ, Darley's Managing Director in Australia Henry Plumptre said:
"Yes, she's off to the breeding barn. I don't think we can add much more to her CV. She was champion 2YO, she's a Blue Diamond winner and she ran second in a Golden Slipper. She's a lovely filly to put to stud."
The daughter of
Exceed And Excel retires with
5 wins from 12 starts for $1,743,550 in prize money.
Earthquake was the second Gr1 Blue Diamond Winner by Champion sire Exceed And Excel.
The first was in
2009 when the
Dynamic Syndications colt REWARD FOR EFFORT dominated his opposition to score.
REWARD FOR EFFORT went on to be an undefeated Weight-For-Age winner as a 3yo and won the Concorde Stakes Gr3 as a 4yo.
Reward For Effort only raced in Black Type races.
Race Record: 10 Starts 4-1-1 $937,200.
4 wins-2 at 2-to 1200m, $937,200, MRC Blue Diamond S.,
Gr.1, STC Concorde S.,
Gr.3, MRC Sir John Monash S.,
L, Blue Diamond Preview (c&g),
L, 2d MRC Blue Diamond Prelude (c&g),
Gr.3, 3d MVRC Ian McEwen S.,
Gr.3.
He was retired to stud and his oldest progeny are current 2yo’s and with
5 winners on his resume already he is sitting in third position on the converted
Australian First Season Sire’s Premiership for Winners behind
Benateau (7 – deceased) and
Hinchinbrook (6).
Reward For Effort has also produced a
2yo Winner at Turffontein named
Tender Mist however despite being a high quality filly in South Africa, her deeds do not get added to the sires tally for the Australian title race.