Shadhavar claimed her first Group 1 victory in the 2026 C.F. Orr Stakes at Sandown on Saturday, 14 November, completing a remarkable spring campaign for trainer Tom Dabernig and Prime Thoroughbreds.

The five-year-old mare, ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, won the $1 million Group 1 contest over 1400 metres, defeating Pericles and defending champion Jimmysstar.

The result extended Shadhavar’s winning sequence to three races and provided another significant achievement for her sire, Pride Of Dubai.

Shadhavar Claims First Group 1 Victory

Shadhavar entered the C.F. Orr Stakes following victories in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes and Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes.

Those performances established her as one of the mares in form during the closing stages of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

At Sandown, McEvoy positioned Shadhavar behind the early leader, Beiwacht.

The mare travelled comfortably before improving into contention approaching the home straight. She accelerated approximately 350 metres from the finish and established a winning advantage.

Pericles challenged late but could not overhaul Shadhavar, finishing three-quarters of a length behind. Jimmysstar completed the first three.

The victory confirmed Shadhavar’s ability to compete successfully at Group 1 level against established weight-for-age performers.

C.F. Orr Stakes 2026 Results

The Group 1 contest was conducted over 1400 metres at Sandown Hillside.

Shadhavar has now won all three of her starts at this distance, a notable part of her recent improvement.

Her victory also marked a significant milestone for Dabernig as an independent trainer.

Shadhavar’s Spring Racing Form

Shadhavar’s progression throughout the spring provides a useful example of how a horse’s preferred distance and race programme can influence results.

Her three consecutive Group victories came after connections established a successful racing pattern over 1400 metres.

The sequence included:

• Group 2 Tristarc Stakes
• Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes
• Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes

The C.F. Orr Stakes was the strongest achievement in that sequence, bringing together proven Group 1 competitors at weight-for-age.

Her performance also extended an impressive broader record of seven victories from her previous ten starts.

For racing followers reviewing spring form, the progression from Group 3 and Group 2 company to Group 1 success provides a clear record of her development.

Detailed sectional times and comparisons with earlier performances require further review before drawing conclusions about the relative strength of each race.

Shadhavar’s Pedigree and Bloodstock Background

Shadhavar is a daughter of Pride Of Dubai, the dual Group 1-winning stallion whose progeny have competed successfully across several racing distances.

Her C.F. Orr Stakes victory adds another top-level achievement to his Australian breeding record.

The mare was purchased by Prime Thoroughbreds for $85,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.

Following Saturday’s victory, her career record stood at nine wins and five placings from 20 starts, with approximately $1.368 million in prize money.

Her results demonstrate the potential for a relatively modest yearling purchase to develop into a successful Group 1 racehorse.

Prime Thoroughbreds Celebrates Group 1 Milestone

Shadhavar’s victory was particularly significant for Prime Thoroughbreds, the ownership syndication business operated by Joe O’Neill.

The organisation had previously celebrated more than 1,050 race victories, but Shadhavar delivered its first Group 1 success.

For racehorse owners, the result highlights the progression that can occur through horse selection, placement and continued development.

Shadhavar’s record also provides an example of a syndication horse progressing from yearling purchase to elite racing success.

What Shadhavar’s Victory Means for Spring Form

The C.F. Orr Stakes result adds another important form reference to the closing stages of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

Shadhavar defeated Pericles and Jimmysstar, both established performers, while maintaining her unbeaten record at 1400 metres.

The race also provides material for further analysis of her acceleration, positioning and performance against Group 1 opposition.

Readers following the broader carnival can refer to Jig Racing’s Spring Racing Carnival 2026 guide for additional racing context.

Jig Racing’s membership packages provide information about its racing analysis services.

Shadhavar’s victory concludes an important chapter of her spring campaign, with future race plans awaiting confirmation from connections.