For years Shannon was not accepted into the English Stud Book. The story is that his maternal ancestor arrived in Australia in 1826. The ship on which she was travelling sank in a storm off Sydney heads. She survived but her Identification papers were lost. In 1949 the Stud Book rules were relaxed and Shannon was included.

Biography

TRAINER: Peter Riddle, Frank Dalton, William Molter (USA)

OWNERS: Peter Riddle, W.J.Smith, Neil McCarthy (USA)

RACE RECORD/STAKE MONEY: 44 starts: 20 wins, 8 seconds, 7 thirds/£19,567, $US211,610 (USA)

Major Wins 

• AJC Sires' Produce Stakes
• Hobartville Stakes
• Epsom Handicap
• George Main Stakes (twice)
• Theo Marks Stakes
• Hollywood Gold Cup

About

Shannon was a world class racehorse who ran record times on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. In Australia he established an Australasian record for the mile, his favourite distance, when he defeated Flight by six lengths in the 1946 George Main Stakes at Randwick.

Shannon's first Epsom Handicap win came in 1945. Attempting a second Epsom in 1946, he was left some 15 lengths behind the field at the start due to oversight by the starter. Jockey Darby Munro rode a superb race to catch and then weave his way through the field, but failed to reach the winner, Blue Legend, by just half a head.

In May 1948, after his sale to American interests, he broke Sea Biscuit's track record for 9 1/2 furlongs (1900) metres in winning the San Francisco Handicap by 12 lengths at Golden Gate Fields. A few weeks later he equalled the world records for 9 and 10 furlongs (800 and 2000) metres at the same track.

Shannon was retired to stud in 1948 where he sired 99 winners in eight seasons.

Shannon was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2006.

Image Source: Australian Racing Museum Collection