Darby had Shannon facing the wrong way in the Epsom, but some say it was a Randwick special

Shannon raced for four years from 1944 through 1948, and although much of his racing was in the USA, he did carve out a strong race record in Australia prior to his departure. He was by the leading sire, Midstream (GB) (sire of 39 stakes-winners that won 120 stakes races) from the race-winner, Idle Words by the successful British sire, (Magpie). Idle Words was the dam of 12 foals, of which 11 raced with 8 winners, including three stakes-winners. Midstreams offspring, Bernbrook won the AJC Doncaster Handicap, and Lysander, also by Midstream won the City Tattersall's Cup.

Shannon was owned and trained by Peter Riddle who selected him from the Kia-Ora stud yearlings and paid £367 ($750) for him at the Sydney yearling sales. Shannon won the Sires Produce as a two year old and the Hobartville Stakes at three. He won his first four straight as a four year old including the 1945 Epsom with 55.5 kgs. As a spring five year old he won a 6 furlong sprint at Randwick followed by the Theo Marks Quality at Rosehill with a young George Moore up in the saddle. Then came the performance which has become part of racing folklore.

Shannon had the steadier part of 61 kgs in the 1946 Epsom, but was sent out a 4/5 favourite by punters. However they were shocked when the horse was left facing the wrong way after the tape dropped. The huge Randwick crowd were suitably stunned when regular jockey Darby Munro elected to take off after them, despite the fact that the field had travelled an estimated 100 metres. He just went under by half a head to Doncaster winner, Blue Legend who had a 6kg pull on the favourite. Poor Darby had to be escorted off the track by police after ugly demonstrations by punters. Two days later Shannon backed up to win his first George Main Stakes by 6 lengths from the great mare Flight, and still there were hecklers waiting to give Munro a serve for his ride in the Epsom. Despite the disapproval, others claim it was one of the greatest performances ever seen over the Randwick mile and an incredible effort by the horse.

Shannon only raced four more times in Australia, in the next spring to register two wins, in the Canterbury Stakes and George Main Stakes and a second in the Warwick Stakes. Shannon was sold again in early 1948, this time to American Neil McCarthy for a reported £52,000. His last start in Australia ended in defeat with him finishing second to Russia in the 1947 AJC Craven Plate. Shannon was one of the best middle-distance horses to ever race in Australia with a tally of 25 starts in Australia for 14 wins, including prominent wins in the AJC George Main Stakes and the Sires Produce Stakes.

In 1948 new owner Neil McCarthy of California entrusted Shannon's race conditioning to trainer William Molter. At Hollywood Park Racetrack in June, Shannon won the Argonaut Handicap and then, on 17 July, won the most prestigious race of his American career; the Hollywood Gold Cup. At Golden Gate Fields in October 1948, Shannon equalled the world record of 1:40 for the nine furlongs (1800m) in winning the Forty Niner Handicap Stakes, then just one week later at the same track equalled the world record for a mile and a quarter (2000m) while capturing the Golden Gate Handicap. In America he was second to Citation with Shannon being the leading money earner in his division. In November he won his last race, the San Francisco Handicap at Tanforan Racetrack. Shannon was named the 1948 American Champion Older Male Horse in a poll conducted by Turf and Sports Digest magazine. The equivalent award in rival Daily Racing Form poll was "Champion Handicap Horse" and included three-year-olds: it was won by Citation.

Sold for US$300,000 to a breeding syndicate led by Leslie Combs II, Shannon was retired to stud duty and stood alongside another Australian champion Bernborough at Combs' Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, where he had a successful career as a sire. Eleven of his first crop yearlings averaged $11,755 each. The best of his progeny were Clem ($535,681) who defeated Round Table in track record time in the Washington Park Handicap, and Sea O'Erin ($407,259), who won the Citation Handicap and 18 other races.

Shannon sired the winners of more than $4 million while he was at stud in Kentucky. In 1955, Shannon broke a leg and was humanely euthanised. He is buried in an unmarked grave at Green Gates Farm, which was formerly part of Spendthrift Farm.

RACE RECORD - 44: 20-8-7

EARNINGS - £19,567 (AUS)  + $211,610 (USA)

AJC Sires Produce Stakes (1944)

Hobartville Stakes (1944)

Tramway Handicap (1945)

Epsom Handicap (1945)

Hill Stakes (1945)

AJC Kings Cup (1946)

Theo Marks Stakes (1946)

George Main Stakes (1946,1947)

Canterbury Stakes (1947)

Forty Niner Stakes (1948)

Argonaut Handicap (1948)

Hollywood Gold Cup (1948)

Golden Gate Handicap (1948)

San Francisco Handicap (1948)