That's the Silver out of the way. Let's now have a crack at the Golden Eagle on November 1 said Linebacker as he hit the line on Saturday - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

When it comes to a pre-race parade horses are much like people. Most of them go through the motions like a lunchtime throng in a city street. Every now and again one of them, equine and human will break the mould. One of them will display that indefinable thing called presence.

I’ve seen few racehorses with more parade yard presence than former champion NZ mare Sunline whose astonishing thirty two wins and twelve placings between 1998 and 2002 yielded $11.4 million dollars. That self assured racing machine didn’t just parade among her rivals. She’d strut like a peacock, ever aware of her standing among the thoroughbred royalty of her day.

I’m not suggesting that a four year old gelding called Linebacker parades in the Sunline fashion and I’m certainly not suggesting that he’ll ever win thirteen Gr 1’s, but I thought I saw a touch of the great mare’s arrogance as he ambled around the Theatre Of The Horse before Saturday’s Silver Eagle.

He displayed the same kind of contemptuousness during the running of the million dollar Golden Eagle qualifier on Saturday. Zac Lloyd let him bounce out of the gates at his leisure and was perfectly content to allow the chestnut to cruise in the three wide lane all the way to the turn. And cruise he did. Linebacker literally “hacked” and all but arched his neck at one stage, using his lovely fluent stride to full advantage. Horses of such extension usually require a few strides to hit top gear. Linebacker had the Silver Eagle on his CV in two bounds. Lord Penman and Mayfair ran right to the line but Linebacker was totally dominant.

Linebacker uses his fluent stride to full advantage. Here he is at the finish of Saturday's Silver Eagle - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

John O’Shea is one trainer who’ll never doubt the worth of first impressions. For a few years now the astute Sydney horseman has been taking a small group of stable clients to predesignated North Island studs prior to the Karaka Sales. In January of 2023 he and his group visited the long established Haunui Farm near Karaka principally to inspect the first crop of yearlings by former talented racehorse Super Seth. John had been a fan of Super Seth’s Aussie racetrack deeds and was particularly impressed by the fact that he was a son of the influential Dundeel. The trainer hadn’t forgotten the astonishing finishing run that saw Super Seth nail Alligator Blood on the line to win the 2019 Caulfield Guineas.

“The very first yearling to be presented was the chestnut colt by Super Seth from a fashionably bred English mare called Garden Of Swans,” said John. “He was an absolute showstopper. He ticked every box in the matter of conformation and had the kind of presence that turns heads at the races. From the moment we all got back into the courtesy bus, that colt was the main topic of conversation.”

Super Seth (Mark Zahra) gave Alligator Blood (Ryan Maloney) a big start on the home turn in the 2019 Caulfield Guineas but finished with an amazing burst to get up in the very last stride - courtesy Racing Photos.

A member of the O’Shea party in 2023 was John’s good friend Michael Angelos who handles all owner liaison for the successful stable. Michael recalls the freak of nature that enabled O’Shea to buy the Super Seth colt for far less money than anticipated. “The sale was scheduled to begin on the Sunday,” said Michael. “On the Friday, Auckland was bombarded by record rain leaving the streets awash and extensive damage to many parts of the city. The news broke on the Saturday morning that Auckland Airport had been closed until further notice. Dozens of Australian buyers were left stranded and Day 1 of the Karaka Sale was conducted before a greatly reduced buying bench. O’Shea, in conjunction with Suman Hedge Bloodstock was able to acquire the gun yearling for $160,000 NZ.”

It wasn’t long before the client grapevine roared into action and the colt was syndicated virtually overnight. It was no surprise when Michael Angelos retained a share but John O’Shea himself missed the bus. “Like everybody else I was completely hooked on the horse and intended to retain an interest,” said the trainer. “The demand for shares was so great from stable clients that I missed out completely. Never mind, I’m pleased to see so many people having so much fun. There was unanimous support for the horse to race in the very well known colours of part owner Frank Cook. He’s a lovely horse with a very bright future.”

Part owner Frank Cook received the trophy on behalf of Linebacker's many owners after the Silver Eagle - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

Owners came from everywhere when word got out that John O'Shea had bought a stunning colt at the 2023 Karaka Sales. Those owners were out in force on Saturday - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

It’s well documented that John O’Shea is an avid football fan, principally NRL but it’s likely his interest extends to the American gridiron code. Perhaps he had something to do with the choice of the name Linebacker for the new Super Seth colt. Experts will quickly tell you the linebacker in a gridiron match is a crucial defensive player, whose chief role is to stop the opposing team’s running game. The necessary pre-requisites for linebackers are speed and athleticism, something their thoroughbred namesake has in spades.

Linebacker was a colt when he stepped out for his first race start in a 1300m Hawkesbury maiden on February 21st, 2024, with Kerrin McEvoy on board. Even then it was becoming increasingly obvious that his days as an entire were numbered. Although green and tentative, his natural talent saw him beat that team of maidens in effortless fashion. A “freshen” and a soft trial preceded his win in the Gr 3 TL Baillieu at Rosehill with Tommy Berry up, defeating two slick ones in Anode and Broadsiding. Three weeks later and with Berry retaining the ride, Linebacker struck Broadsiding in top form going under by less than a length in the Champagne Stakes. The decision was made to leave him a colt for the time being, and off to the spelling farm he went.

By the time Linebacker resumed in the spring of last year, two significant things had happened. John O’Shea had formulated his training partnership with Tom Charlton, and the Super Seth colt was starting to think of things other than racing. Despite this distraction he was very impressive late coming from a clear last to run fourth, just two lengths behind Traffic Warden in the Run To The Rose. When the Golden Rose arrived two weeks later the chestnut colt was already contemplating his stud career. “He was off his face on the day,” recalled John O’Shea. “He was a handful to saddle, a handful for Kerrin McEvoy to ride in the Gr 1 race, and almost unmanageable immediately after. It was obvious to me, to Tom Charlton and to his large ownership group that he needed to be gelded immediately. I think the vet was there the very next day.”

It was over four months before the “new look” Linebacker returned to the races with a good second in the Gr 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick. He actually had an uncontested lead in that race before running out of “puff” and being run down by Public Attention. By contrast two weeks later he got a long way back in the 1400m Hobartville Stakes before winding up in 6th spot behind Broadsiding, beaten just over three lengths.

Fast forward a fortnight to the Gr 1 Randwick Guineas and Zac Lloyd replaced Kerrin McEvoy. This Guineas was run at a frenetic pace with $151.00 bolter Tenbury Wells carting them along all the way to the hometurn. In his slipstream was Linebacker with favourite Broadsiding enjoying a dream run in third spot. James McDonald’s confidence levels on Broadsiding were clearly illustrated when he took a lingering look over his left shoulder to see if any challengers were coming from behind. His confidence turned to panic when he realised Linebacker was in for the fight. Broadsiding had all the time in the world to gun him down but was safely held right to the line. A Gr 1 win at just start number eight. The Super Seth colt who wowed the Aussie owners at Haunui Farm was on his way.

Linebacker got one back on old foe Broadsiding in the Gr. 1 Randwick Guineas. He beat the Godolphin runner fair and square - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

A couple of easy weeks, a soft barrier trial win at Warwick Farm and Linebacker aimed up for his last run of the campaign, in a very tough Doncaster and from a wide draw. Another look at the race replay will remind you of the merit of his performance. In front of only a handful of horses approaching the turn and fleetingly held up on straightening he hit the line better than most to finish eighth just over a length from winner Stefi Magnetica. O’Shea and Charlton may already be thinking about next year’s Doncaster.

Very little escapes John O'Shea's notice at the races - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

Connections were more than happy with Linebacker’s first up run in the Tramway Stakes won by Pericles on September 6th when he finished just behind the placegetters. The Epsom was immediately targeted. Racing’s ever present uncertainty reared its head at the O’Shea stables one morning when Linebacker slipped on wet concrete and seriously twisted a fetlock joint. John O’Shea described it as something akin to a sprained ankle. Everybody knew he’d get over it quickly, but the Epsom was off the radar, and a whole new strategy was suddenly required.

With the Silver and Golden Eagles now his revised mission, a barrier trial was urgently needed. Nobody envisaged the volume of publicity the October 7th trial was destined to generate. Linebacker sent social media into a spin by defeating Overpass and Ka Ying Rising in the 1000m dash on the Randwick course proper. The worth of the chestnut’s trial form was given an almighty boost by the performances of Ka Ying Rising and Overpass in the TAB Everest just 35 minutes before the Silver Eagle. How he didn’t start shorter than $3.10 came as a surprise to many punters.

The boundlessly talented Autumn Glow was superb in winning the Epsom on October 4th. She’ll be served up at very short odds in the Golden Eagle on November 1st and would need to have an off day not to be in the finish. Linebacker will join Japanese visitor Panja Tower, Angel Capital, Sepals and several others in trying to upset the unbeaten mare’s apple cart. If you’re going to Randwick on the day, be sure to mosey down to the Theatre Of The Horse and observe for yourself Linebacker’s stunning looks and calm demeanour. Appearances don’t win ten million dollar races but if they contribute even marginally, this bloke might be swooping like the bird of prey after which the four year old contest is named.

LINEBACKER - SPEEDY AND ATHLETIC LIKE HIS AMERICAN GRIDIRON NAMESAKES

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