The John O’Shea & Tom Charlton trained four-year-old, Schwarz, claimed Group 1 glory at just his second elite level run with an impressive performance at The Valley to head the 2025 William Reid Stakes results.

The progressive son of Zoustar has now won six of his 12 career starts after jockey Jamie Mott rode the recent Group 2 Australia Stakes winner at the track to a one-length success in this season’s Group 1 $1 million William Reid Stakes (1200m).

“It’s fantastic. I’m thrilled for the horse, the ownership group and all our staff that have put a fantastic effort into this horse. I’m thrilled for them,” co-trainer Tom Charlton told Racing.com.

Schwarz atoned for his dead-last when 10th at Caulfield behind Another Wil last time out in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m), relishing the space between runs and the drop back to six-furlongs in the sprint feature at Moonee Valley.

It was the galloper’s second win from three starts at the famously tight track for which he has shown a great affinity for.

“He’s a relatively lightly-raced horse and we’ve learned quite a bit about him again this preparation,” Charlton added.

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

“Credit to everyone and obviously my boss who is the mastermind of these things. I’m just very thankful to be in this position.”

Mott rated the million-dollar purchase to perfection in the William Reid with Schwarz ($5.50) taken straight to the front from the gates leading from barrier to box.

After charging out to lead with the pressure on from She’s Bulletproof, he was first into stride when straightening before kicking clear and going on to become a Group 1 champion.

“I was slightly surprised by the kick this horse gave at the top of the straight,” Charlton admitted.

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

Jason Warren‘s Group 1 The Goodwood winning Hellbent mare Benedetta ($7) was good late getting up to challenge and trying hard to reel in the eventual winner, but she ran out of time and had to settled for second.

“Massive run by her. The winner got it pretty easy in front, I felt and we had to get on our bike a long way out. Massive run from her and where she finished,” Benedetta’s jockey Daniel Stackhouse said.

The Ciaron Maher trained Oakleigh Plate champ Jimmysstar ($2.90F) also flashed home the closing stages having been slow out the gates but left his run too late finishing two lengths back third as the beaten favourite in the William Reid trifecta.

“Ran enormous,” was the post-race summary from Ethan Brown.

“He stepped quite slow today and was on the back foot from there. I thought they were just a bit zippy for him around The Valley and that run shows that he is probably looking for 1400 (metres) now but I take nothing away from him. He ran terrific.”

2025 William Reid Stakes Results

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