Shadhavar CF Orr Stakes: Dabernig Lands First Solo Group 1

Shadhavar has given Tom Dabernig his first Group 1 win as a trainer in his own right, beating Pericles and Jimmysstar to win the CF Orr Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.

Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, the five-year-old mare won the 1400m weight-for-age race by three-quarters of a length from the Bjorn Baker-trained Pericles (Craig Williams), according to Racing Australia’s interim results. Ciaron Maher’s Jimmysstar, last year’s winner, was third under Ethan Brown, three lengths from the winner.

Shadhavar jumped from barrier 2 with 57kg and ran 1:24.83 on a track rated Soft 7 for the race. Only six went around after Chris Waller’s Angel Capital and Desert Lightning, trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, were scratched.

Splash Back was fourth, ahead of War Machine, with Waller’s Beiwacht last of six under James McDonald.

Dabernig’s first Group 1 on his own

Dabernig shared in 19 Group 1 wins between 2014 and 2020 as part of the Lindsay Park partnership with the Hayes family, but Racing.com noted in August that he had not won one since going out on his own. He has trained from Warrnambool since 2021.

Seven’s racing coverage said the win was McEvoy’s 87th at Group 1 level, according to Just Horse Racing’s result page. McEvoy picked up the ride because Williams, who had been aboard for Shadhavar’s previous two wins, rode Pericles.

Hat-trick for the in-form mare

The Orr completes a hat-trick for the daughter of Pride Of Dubai. She won the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes at Caulfield by two and three-quarter lengths on 17 October, then took the Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day by four and a quarter lengths.

Bred by China Horse Club, Shadhavar was bought by Prime Thoroughbreds for $85,000 from The Chase’s draft at the Magic Millions Adelaide yearling sale, according to Coolmore Australia, which stands her sire.

Dabernig has already flagged a step up in trip. “She is a horse we’ve always felt could be a miler, we just hadn’t had an opportunity to get to that distance yet – that might be something we visit next prep,” he told Racing.com’s The Verdict podcast earlier in the week.

Waller’s record bid on hold

The defeat means Waller could not draw level with Aidan O’Brien in the Orr. Waller went into the race on 27 Group 1 wins for 2026, according to Just Horse Racing, one behind O’Brien, who equalled his own world record of 28 in a calendar year at the Breeders’ Cup on 31 October. O’Brien’s Lambourn was beaten in the Bahrain International Trophy, won by Royal Champion, early on Saturday, Melbourne time.

Racing.com reported that Waller is likely to have just one more Group 1 chance before the year ends, with last year’s Cox Plate runner-up Buckaroo a possible runner in the Northerly Stakes in Perth on 5 December. O’Brien has more Group 1 targets in Japan and Hong Kong.

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