Shocking was farewelled in style from Mark Kavanagh’s Flemington stables on Thursday morning.

The Melbourne Cup hero was paraded in front of a large crowd before his departure to New Zealand where he will stand his first season at Rich Hill Stud.  Owner Laurence Eales has retained a significant interest in the son of Street Cry.

Shocking was an all-purpose galloper.  He had the pace to win the G2 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), the class to claim the G1 Australian Cup (2000m) and the courage to defeat an international field in the G1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).

He also won the G3 Lexus Stakes (2500m) and earned G1 placings in the Caulfield Cup, Turnbull Stakes and Queensland Derby.

“The turn of foot he showed in the Australian Cup was nothing short of amazing,” Kavanagh claimed.  “And he won the Melbourne Cup sitting three deep all the way.

“He got better with age and he was the quietest and most relaxed horse around the stable.  He was right up there with the best of them.  He’s going to a quality stud where he will get the very best opportunities.”

Kavanagh showed his faith in Shocking’s family when he bought his three-quarter brother for $450,000 at the Inglis Sydney Easter yearling sale.

Shocking will stand his first season at Rich Hill Stud at NZ$12,000 fee alongside the proven G1 sire Pentire, English Derby winner Sir Percy and the G1 performed Australian sprinter Any Suggestion.