Promising colt Shaggy, the standout first-season representative of sire Sandbar, is set to make a return to the track this Saturday with an eye on targeting three-year-old stakes contests during the spring.
Trainer Allan Kehoe has confirmed that Shaggy will resume in the Keeneland September Yearling Sale Handicap (1100m) at Randwick, with the Rosebud looming as his first major assignment of the new season.
The talented son of Sandbar burst onto the scene earlier this year with three consecutive wins before finishing a competitive fifth in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes in March. A planned tilt at Queensland winter riches was shelved in June when Shaggy drew a wide barrier, prompting connections to give him a brief freshen-up.
“I think he’s up to them. I thought this race would be a good lead up for the Rosebud,” Kehoe told Racing NSW.
“He was going to go straight into the Rosebud but when Aaron (Bullock) hopped off him after the trial he said he’s ready to rock and roll.
“He held a lot of fitness from the prep where he was going to go to Brisbane. He’s bigger, he didn’t grow much taller but he’s around 25kg heavier now.
“He’s really beefed up, he looks like he’s going to be one of those gross-looking animals but not quite so tall.”
Shaggy is raced by the Lamont family’s Kooringal Stud, which also stands his sire Sandbar. The son of Snitzel is a three-quarter brother to Golden Slipper winner Farnan, now at stud for Kia Ora.
With Shaggy and debut winner Dusty Bay leading the way from Sandbar’s modest debut crop of 40 foals, the stallion’s popularity has surged. His service fee for the 2025 season has risen to $13,200 (inc GST), up from $8,800.
For those keen to bet on Shaggy’s return or his potential tilt at the Rosebud, check out the latest markets available via Australia’s top betting sites.
