His rivalry with Super Impose was legendary, but Shaftesbury held his own at any distance

Shaftesbury Avenue was a brilliant versatile Australian racehorse who won Group One races from 1000 to 2000 metres and placed in the Japan Cup over 2400 metres. He was a regular rival of Super Impose, and the head-to-head scoreline read four apiece in their eight clashes: Super Impose won the big handicaps, while Shaftesbury Avenue normally prevailed at weight-for-age. Trained by Bart Cummings, the big chestnut gelding won Group One races at Randwick (twice), Flemington (three times), and Caulfield, but failed to handle Moonee Valley in his three starts at the track, and was 12th in the Cox Plate in 1991. By Salieri from the Imported Mare Lady Upstage (by High Line).

Shaftesbury Avenue initially participated in a midweek race until jockey John Marshall took decisive action and hit the button, resulting in a resounding victory for the big chestnut on debut. Next start he won a Saturday race then was close up 2nd in the Brian Crowley over 1200m, a Listed Race. After a win and a second Shaftesbury Avenue was given a sudden rise in class in the Stan Fox Stakes. A third placing though beaten three and a half lengths behind sensational sprinter Show County displayed that there was above average ability. After being spelled following his Stan Fox run,  Shaftesbury Avenue resumed in the Hobartville at Warick Farm In a two horse struggle with boom three year old Majestic Boy, Shaftesbury Avenue won by a head in track record time of 1:21.4.

Bart openly declared him a Group one horse but his time winning at the top level would have to wait. After opening his Autumn campaign with a win in the Gr.3 Royal Sovereign Stakes, he then comfortably won the Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes. Next up was the Gr.1 Canterbury Guineas and after a chequered run, Shaftesbury Avenue flashed home and ran 2nd. After a lacklustre run on a Heavy 10, Shaftesbury Avenue was a $9 chance in the Doncaster.

Here he would begin his personal war with future great Super Impose. The older and stronger Super Impose would win the day and start the incredible Double/Double of the Doncaster and Epsom two years running. Unfortunately, Shaftesbury struck a Heavy 10 again in the All Aged and managed his 3rd G1 second placing of the Autumn. He then went to Brisbane for the Doomben 10,000 but ran unplaced and went for a spell. The big chestnut really filled out during his break and returned as a four-year-old with two easy wins in the Spring. His next outing was the Gr.1 George Main Stakes at Randwick over 1600m. Super Impose would also be there, but Shaftesbury Avenue would break his Group one ‘duck’ with Super running 2nd. After two uncharacteristically poor runs, Bart switched Shaftesbury to Melbourne and he lined up in the Gr.1 Honda Stakes at Flemington. The big fella was right on song and he easily dispatched a handy field to win his 2nd Group one.

Bart set Shaftesbury for the 1000m Lightning Stakes first up. The established Miler was up against 8 of the fastest sprinters in the land. With 50m to go Cassidy pushed left and miraculously found a gap and the big horse exploded through to win in the blistering time of 57.4 seconds. The fastest time was 55.42 seconds by champion sprinting mare Black Caviar in 2013. Next up, carrying 58kgs he won the Newmarket Hcp. He’d gone from one of Australia’s best Milers to the best sprinter in the land. Back to Sydney for the Doncaster and another clash with Super Impose. Although running well, he could do no better than 3rd as Super won again. They clashed again a week later in the All Aged but this time it was Shaftesbury who won. What a memorable Autumn it had been for the Big Red Star.

 The accomplishments of the four-year-old were remarkable, but the requests made by Bart when he turned five were simply astounding. Bart declared that Shaftesbury Avenue (the 1000m Lightning Winner) would be set for the Cox Plate (2040m) and the Japan Cup (2400m). If anyone could pull if off, it would be Bart Cummings. After a couple of warm up runs, Shaftesbury opened his Spring account in the WFA Caulfield Stakes over 2000m beating Super Impose and Sydeston.

Next was the Cox Plate and Shaftesbury was a short favourite. During the initial straight, he unfortunately lost his footing and almost fell, resulting in a disappointing 12th place finish. Bart forged ahead with plans to run in Japan and gave him one more run in the 1990 Honda Stakes (1600m) before leaving for Tokyo. Given an easy time, he finished 2nd, unable to score dual wins. Bart decided Shaftesbury should run from behind in Japan, as he feared he wouldn’t stay the 2400m. In an unusual miscalculation, the strategy was a costly error of judgment. Last on the turn, Shaftesbury met trouble three times in the straight before charging home to finish a close 3rd to Golden Pheasant (USA) and Magic Night (FR), a certainty beaten. He returned in the Autumn and won 1st up but sadly broke down and would never return to racing.

RACE RECORD - 28: 13-5-3
EARNINGS - $980,000

George Main Stakes (1990)
Honda Stakes (1990)
Lightning Stakes (1991)
Newmarket Handicap (1991)
All-Aged Stakes (1990)
Caulfield Stakes (1991)