Shandy Shocks Naas with 50-1 Victory in Ballyogan Stakes

Fozzy Stack orchestrated a masterful upset as Shandy delivered a stunning 50-1 victory in the Tally-Ho Stud Irish EBF Ballyogan Stakes at Naas. The race, which featured a tactical split in the field, saw Stack’s plan unfold perfectly, leading to a surprising but deserved triumph for the rank outsider.

In a race where most of the field favored the far side of the track, Stack’s decision to send both his runners down the near side proved pivotal. While You Send Me, the more fancied of Stack’s duo, struggled early and faded, Shandy remained well-positioned throughout under a confident ride from Andrew Slattery.

As the race progressed, the 15-8 favorite Firebird, racing on the far side, appeared to have taken control and established a clear lead. However, with the width of the track separating them, Shandy found an extra gear and surged ahead in the final strides to secure a shock win by a head. Stuart Williams’ Pandora’s Gift took third, while the David O’Meara-trained Nighteyes finished last, indicating something was amiss with the filly.

Stack was understandably delighted with Shandy’s performance, highlighting how everything fell into place on the day. “She ran well in the Listed race here last time and won on her side of the track, so we knew she had ability,” said Stack. “We were drawn wide in stalls 11 and 12, which can be tricky as the middle is the worst place to be, so we took a chance by splitting from the pack, and it worked out. The ease in the ground was also key – she needs some cut to show her best.”

Stack also mentioned how adjustments in Shandy’s training regime played a role in the victory. “We’ve tried different things like using hoods, as she’s over raced in the past, but it all came together today,” he said.

Shandy’s surprise win not only reflects Stack’s sharp race planning but also the unpredictable nature of flat racing, where underdogs can triumph when everything aligns perfectly.