Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos
For Laurence Eales, the build-up to Tuesday’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup carries a significance few owners and breeders get to experience. Having raced Shocking to victory in the 2009 edition, Eales now returns to Flemington with Shockletz (NZ), a mare he bred by Shocking, bringing a remarkable story full circle.
The pride of being in the Cup
Laurence Eales is in a unique position heading into Tuesday’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup, with Shockletz (NZ) (Shocking) set to contest the race her sire won in 2009.
For Eales, who has already experienced the ultimate thrill with Shocking, having a homebred runner in the same race brings a special sense of perspective.
“It’s very exciting to have come full circle in a way by having Shockletz in the Cup, after winning the Cup previously with her sire Shocking.”
“It’s very exciting to have come full circle in a way by having Shockletz in the Cup, after winning the Cup previously with her sire Shocking.” - Laurence Eales
Having already reached the pinnacle of Australian racing, Eales is keen for the mare’s ownership group to enjoy the occasion rather than become consumed by expectations.
“I suppose I am very lucky and fortunate to be in this position, having already won the Cup, and I have been telling my owners that they have to enjoy simply being in the Cup. There is no pressure; you just have to enjoy it.
Laurence Eales | Image courtesy of Eales Racing Syndications
“When I had Shocking in, I kind of had ambitions of hopefully running top 10 with him. You need to enjoy the moment and not stress too much. This could be the highlight of a lot of owners’ lives, but you do need to keep a lid on it a little and not have too many expectations. Whatever happens, happens.”
With that philosophy in mind, Eales is making sure the lead-up is as enjoyable as possible for those involved, with gatherings planned around the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“We are trying to make the lead-up as enjoyable as possible for our owners. We are going to have a luncheon on Derby Day and Sunday, have a bit of a bet and a few sweepstakes going on.”
For Eales, the anticipation of the race itself remains as compelling as ever, particularly those few moments before the field is released.
“We have to make sure we have a good time before Tuesday, with the pressure off. One thing I can't wait for, I’m sure I will be nervous, but those few seconds when Flemington is dead silent before they jump, it’s a special moment. I can’t wait.”
Shockletz | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
A family connection years in the making
Eales bred Shockletz and races her with a loyal group of clients, many of whom have followed the family through another successful product of the same mating.
He purchased her dam, Zelt (Red Ransom {USA}), in 2018 with the specific intention of mating her with Shocking, who stands at Rich Hill Stud in New Zealand.
His investment in the family extended beyond breeding. In 2019, Eales purchased a Shocking colt out of Zelt for NZ$70,000 from the Rich Hill draft at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
Horrifying (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Later named Horrifying (NZ) (Shocking), the gelding developed into a durable and successful racehorse, winning seven races over distances ranging from 1500 to 2800 metres. He also finished third in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes as a 3-year-old and retired with more than $715,000 in prizemoney.
Horrifying’s success further enhanced Zelt’s record, making Shockletz’s progress a continuation of a family that has already delivered considerable rewards for Eales and his clients.
“A lot of the owners in Horrifying bought shares in the Shockletz syndicate, so it’s been great to carry on with them with the full sister.
“We bred her and she wears my late father’s cattle farm brand, which is something special for the family, an old North Queensland brand on a Melbourne Cup horse.”
A plan that delivered the Cup ticket
Shockletz secured her place in the Melbourne Cup with victory in the G3 Lexus Archer Stakes at Flemington in September, earning a Golden Ticket into the race.
The win also continued her affinity with the track, where she has now recorded three victories. Crucially, it gave trainer Ciaron Maher the opportunity to map out a preparation aimed at having her peak on the first Tuesday in November.
Eales credits Maher and his team for the planning behind the mare’s campaign, including a decision to interrupt her preparation and work backwards from the Archer.
Ciaron Maher | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Ciaron has got a few of his team heading to the Cup, and it is full credit to him and his team.
“He is always very well planned, and he made a plan at one stage in the middle of a preparation and said, ‘Look, I want to pull pin, give her a little break and work backwards from the Archer, which we can win.
“He is always very well planned, and he made a plan at one stage in the middle of a preparation.” - Laurence Eales
“So it proved. I said to him, ‘You are the coach, do what you want,’ and he was right. He kept her happy, won the ticket to the Cup, and here we are.”
For Eales, trusting the trainer’s judgement has been central to the campaign, with the Archer providing the ideal stepping stone to the bigger assignment.
“Shocking used to wear blinkers, and he put them on at the right time and away she went.
“He will have her spot on for Tuesday, and we will see what happens.”
Shocking’s influence continues
Eales has been fortunate to race some exceptional horses, including two sons of Street Cry (Ire) in Whobegotyou and Shocking.
Whobegotyou was a two-time Group 1 winner and six-time Group 2 winner, earning $3.26 million in prizemoney. Shocking added Group 1 victories in the Melbourne Cup and Australian Cup, accumulating just under $5 million.
However, Shocking’s significance to Eales has continued well beyond his own racing career. His success at stud has given Eales the opportunity to race several of his progeny, including Horrifying, Vegas Jewel (NZ) and now Shockletz.
Shocking | Standing at Rich Hill Stud
“Shocking can sire a great staying type. He has been very special to me, and it is special to race any of his progeny, so the success of Horrifying, Vegas Jewel and Shockletz has been very exciting and rewarding for myself.
“Shocking had that bit of class. He was a Makybe Diva Stakes winner over a mile, a Melbourne Cup winner over 3200 metres, and he won a maiden race over 1300 metres. He was very versatile, and he has left that with his progeny.”
The parallels between sire and daughter have not escaped Eales, who sees a number of similarities as Shockletz prepares for her biggest test.
“It’s quite funny how it has ended up. Shocking had 51kg, as does Shockletz. They were both around the $11 mark, and he won the Archer, so did Shockletz, although at slightly different times of the year.
“There really isn’t much more exciting than having a Cup runner by Shocking, who we won the Cup with.”
“There really isn’t much more exciting than having a Cup runner by Shocking, who we won the Cup with.” - Laurence Eales
A special connection with Harry Coffey
Shockletz’s journey to the Melbourne Cup has also been shaped by jockey Harry Coffey, who has ridden the mare in six of her seven wins, including her Archer Stakes triumph.
Their association will continue at Flemington, with Coffey set to partner the mare in the Cup at just 51kg, a significant physical undertaking for a jockey who lives with cystic fibrosis.
The connection has prompted Shockletz’s ownership group to support CF Together, the foundation chosen by Coffey. At the group’s pre-Cup lunch at the Railway Club Hotel on Sunday, a sought-after Melbourne Cup mounting yard pass will be auctioned, with all proceeds going to the organisation.
Harry Coffey | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
CF Together supports people living with cystic fibrosis and their families. The initiative builds on previous support from the ownership group, which made a donation after Shockletz won the Archer, around the time Coffey undertook a walking fundraiser.
Eales is proud of Coffey’s contribution to Shockletz’s campaign and wanted to find another practical way to support a cause close to the jockey.
“Harry has built up a great affiliation with Shockletz, and we are wrapped to have him on board in the Cup. With only 51kg, it is a big effort for Harry, but he has known for a long time and has been losing weight and maintaining it gradually.
“We have always been proud of the work Harry has done with the CF Together foundation. The day after Shockletz won the Archer, I think Harry did a walking fundraiser, and we gave a donation then.
“I kind of thought, what else could we do to support the foundation? I thought mounting yard passes are hot property and limited, so why don’t I offer one of them for auction between our owners and see what we can make?
"So whatever it makes when we auction it off will go towards the foundation.”
“So whatever it makes when we auction it off will go towards the foundation.” - Laurence Eales
For Eales, the week is about more than the result. Shockletz represents the continuation of a successful breeding story, a connection to a Melbourne Cup-winning stallion and a family legacy carried through her brand. With the mare now set to line up at Flemington, he can return to the race that has already delivered one of the defining moments of his racing life, this time with a homebred daughter of the horse who made it possible.
