Windsor Park operations manager Rachel Murray has more cause for celebration following the gallant run of her racemare Express Princess (ShamExpress) in the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes at Pukekohe on Saturday. 

Bred by Rachel and raced by her in partnership with Windsor Park Stud owner Rodney Schick, Express Princess gained valuable black type for her future broodmare prospects when fighting on strongly for second in a quality field of mares.  

A cracking type, Rachel initially leased Express Princess to the Sydney stable of Richard and Michael Freedman for whom she was successful on five occasions, including twice in Brisbane.

Returning to New Zealand this season to race from the leading stable of Andrew Forsman and to be bred, Express Princess provided further excitement following the race when successfully testing in foal to up-and-coming young Windsor Park stallion Vanbrugh (Encosta De Lago), sire of Windsor Park’s own Gr.1 winning racemare Mustang Valley.

Express Princess, who hails from the family of brilliant Windsor Park-bred Gr.1 winning Australian sprinter Dantelah, is yet another topclass stakes performed racemare for her successful sire Shamexpress (O'Reilly) and she has now won six races from 1350m to 1615m and in excess of $210,000.