Hurtle Myrtle completed a ground-breaking 24 hours for Kitchwin Hills sire Dane Shadow at Randwick on Saturday.  

Hurtle Myrtle (4m Dane Shadow – Ravenswood by Woodman) came in from the cold to claim the G2 Sapphire Stakes in a driving finish from Kimillsy (Danehill Dancer) and Marquardt (Shamardal).  

Dane Shadow started the weekend with Listed winner Red Tracer at Canterbury on Friday night and the Kitchwin Hills resident claimed another milestone when Shadows ‘N’ Stars won Race 1 at Doomben on Saturday.  

Shadows ‘N’ Stars brought up 100 wins for Dane Shadow when stretching out to 2100 metres in Brisbane.  The Alan Bailey trained mare had been sidelined with niggling leg issues but, given time, has come right and could have a future over middle distances.

Hurtle Myrtle has also overcome a long spell on sidelines to recapture her best form.  She was G1 placed in the 2009 Flight Stakes and got within a half-neck of More Joyous in the G2 Surround Stakes in March 2010.

“It’s just such a relief to get her back,” trainer Matt Smith said.  “It’s hard to get them right after a year off.  She has always promised so much and is the best horse in my stable.”

Hurtle Myrtle was a $55,000 buy at the 2008 Inglis Classic yearling sale.  She is a younger half-sister to Sydney winner Peace Academy (Royal Academy) and their dam Ravenswood foaled another Dane Shadow filly in September.

Ravenswood resides at Hobartville Stud and she returned to Scone to be bred back to Dane Shadow last year.

Hurtle Myrtle had been nominated for the Inglis Easter broodmare sale this week but the Sapphire Stakes win has earned her a reprieve from retirement.