First Dude’s Shamrock Rose, winner of the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) at Churchill Downs, has been named an Eclipse Award finalist in the Female Sprinter division. Florida’s leading sire of 2018 with progeny earnings of more than $4.9 million, First Dude stands at Don and Irene Dizney’s Double Diamond Farm in Ocala, Fl., for $10,000 live foal.
Shamrock Rose, a finalist for Female Sprinter along with Finley’sluckycharm and Marley’s Freedom, enjoyed a banner season for owner Conrad Farms, winning four of seven starts and banking $848,076 on the year. She rattled off four consecutive stakes races to close out her sensational 3-year-old campaign, including a dramatic victory in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint where she nailed Chalon right at the finish, stopping the clock for seven furlongs in 1:23.13 for trainer Mark Casse. Best A Luck Farm bred Shamrock Rose in Pennsylvania out of the Elusive Quality mare Slew’s Quality. All told, Shamrock Rose has won five of 10 starts and earned $917,687 in her career.
“We wish the best of luck to Shamrock Rose and all her connections as an Eclipse finalist,” said Don Dizney. “We’re looking forward to her 2019 campaign and her continued success. Double Diamond Farm thanks all the breeders who have supported First Dude and we are looking forward to the upcoming breeding season.”
In 2018, First Dude was represented by three Graded stakes winners, more than any other Florida stallion. In addition to Shamrock Rose, he also had Skye Diamonds, winner of the L.A. Woman Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita, and Mom’s On Strike, winner of the Bewitch Stakes (G3).
Awards will be presented at the 48th annual Eclipse Awards dinner and ceremony on Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park. Eclipse Awards voting is conducted by the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB), the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and Daily Racing Form.
