Schwarz takes advantage of conditions to dominate in William Reid at The Valley

Schwarz scored a dominant win in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes at The Valley with the benefit of the track pattern and a break between runs.

Jamie Mott rides Schwarz to a strong win in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes at The Valley. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Schwarz capitalised on the conditions to win the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.

Schwarz, trained by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, matched motors with She’s Bulletproof early and scooted clear in the straight under jockey Jamie Mott.

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Benedetta and favourite Jimmysstar finished powerfully out wide but could not reel in the winner.

Jimmysstar stepped slow from barrier two and settled last in the run.

The Oakleigh Plate winner tried valiantly to loop the field but could do no better than third.

Horses had to be close to the speed on Saturday and inside the first three lanes to make ground.

Eight of the first nine winners at The Valley, with the exception of Yarra Valley Cup winner Basillina, straightened in front or close enough to.

SCHWARZ LEADS ALL THE WAY IN THE WILLIAM REID! 💪

HE GETS THAT GROUP 1 AND BECOMES A STALLION PROSPECT!@RosemontStud@[e-mail]/pWfskw7jJo

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) March 22, 2025

• What the jockeys said: 2025 William Reid Stakes

“He did give us some confidence,” Charlton said, in reference to the track pattern.

“It was an interesting watch. I thought Craig Williams (She’s Bulletproof) put a good bit of pressure on us… and I was slightly surprised by the kick this horse gave at the top of the straight.

“He’s a big ticket stallion by Zoustar with a big pedigree. Team Rosemont will be very pleased.”

Schwarz led all the way to win the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at The Valley two back and then failed to fire in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Six weeks between runs worked a treat on Saturday.

“He was dominant here fresh, didn’t quit back-up two weeks later over 1400m and we had in the back of our mind to target again here, fresh, 1200m,” Charlton said.

Schwarz, a $1.25m yearling, is the first Victorian Alliance stud syndicate purchase to win a Group 1.

“An unbelievable performance from a horse that has got an unbelievable pedigree,” Rosemont Stud co-owner Anthony Mithen said.

“To win a weight-for-age Group 1 he’s become the winningest son of Zoustar that’s still a colt. He’ll go to stud a very attractive prospect.”

Originally published as Schwarz takes advantage of conditions to dominate in William Reid at The Valley