Show A Heart’s legacy lives on through carnival feature

By Jordan Gerrans

He was tough as teak on the racetrack but an absolute gentleman in the stables and breeding barn.

That is how champion Queensland stallion Show A Heart is remembered by those who were along for the entirety of his remarkable career.

The star of both the racetrack and the breeding barn passed away in August of 2023 at the grand old age of 25.

A race named to honour the legendary stallion was installed into the Queensland Racing Carnival for the first time last year, with the second edition to be contested this Saturday afternoon. 

In retirement, Show A Heart stood at Queensland’s Glenlogan Park, where he enjoyed a stellar career at stud.

Glenlogan Park's Steve Morley and part-owner Judy Cutts relish that their former star stallion is recognised on the big stage once again.

“There's no question that Show A Heart now having a race named after him was very well deserved, considering what he achieved both on the racetrack and in the breeding barn,” Morley said.

“It's something that we're very, very proud of. So, to have his name there during the winter carnival is something that we love.”

Cutts, who is based at Woorim, was at Eagle Farm for the first running of the Listed Show A Heart this time last year and will be trackside again on Saturday.

The event is run for two-year-olds over 1500 metres with $160,000 on offer.

“I just love it,” Cutts said when asked about the race being named in Show A Heart's honour.

“It was a surprise when they first reached out to me about it happening.

“It was the night of his induction into the Hall of Fame a few years ago, the committee came and saw me and said what they had in mind.

“I didn't put two and two together that if you get inducted into the Hall of Fame, you get a race named after the horse.

“So, that was special, there is so much special stuff really with this horse.”

Eagle Farm conditioner Kelly Schweida won the first edition of the Show A Heart with Sunrays in 2025.

The Show A Heart race has had a few different names over the years.

In more recent times it was known as The Phoenix and before that the event was named the Doomben Slipper.

Show A Heart’s dazzling career was twofold.

He was a multiple Group 1 champion on the racetrack before achieving great highs as a stallion, as well.

Trained by the late Barry Miller after being bred and raced by Ross and Judy Cutts, Show A Heart was humanely euthanised.

Ross passed away almost six years ago.

Judy still races a few horses, mainly with Caloundra mentor Stuart Kendrick.

Reflecting on her champion horse's career, Judy says her late husband deserves all the praise.

“All accolades go to Ross for breeding Show A Heart,” she said.

“So, we raced Show A Heart's mother, Miss Sandman, who won 12. We raced her sire, as well. So, we've had a long connection with the family of Show A Heart.

“We just loved him. As a horse, as an animal, he's a treasure to not just our family, but I know how Steve Morley feels with the breeding side of things.

“He's just the best we've had. It's heartfelt, that's what it is."

Show A Heart boasted the rare distinction of winning Group 1 races as a two, three and four-year-old, a feat that stood unmatched for almost two decades.

He achieved the feat through victories in the T J Smith (which is now the J.J Atkins), the 2000 Caulfield Guineas and Toorak Handicap.

Anamoe eventually emulated those feats of winning Group 1 titles in three straight seasons.

Show A Heart ran his final race in June of 2002 at Eagle Farm when he claimed the famous Stradbroke Handicap.

With the time-honoured Stradbroke Handicap fast approaching for 2026, and now being worth $3 million, a new ownership team will be written into the great race's history books alongside the Cutts family.

Judy says when she reflects on his career, it is the Stradbroke that stands out above the rest.

In retirement, Show A Heart enjoyed a stellar career at stud.

He produced several Group 1 champions and did so with a caring nature, according to Morley.

Show A Heart was retired from breeding duties in 2020 and was living out his retirement at Glenlogan before his passing.

He was an instant success at stud, claiming Australia’s Champion First Season Sire crown while also being a multiple winner of Queensland’s Champion Sire title.

Show A Heart’s progeny included Heart Of Dreams, Woorim and Toorak Toff.

He sired winners of an Oakleigh Plate, Australian Guineas, Golden Rose, Underwood Stakes, Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, Magic Millions 2YO Classic and 3YO Magic Millions Guineas.

The Innisplain-based Morley believes what Show A Heart achieved across his entire tenure within the industry is not something that has been repeated.

“One of the things that people don't know about Show A Heart, or don't really appreciate, is how tough this horse was,” Morley said.

“As a two-year-old, he ran three times in three weeks, including the Group 1 J.J Atkins, that he bolted in.

“As a three-year-old, he started in an Ascot Vale and then went on to wear the number one saddlecloth in the Victoria Derby, over 2500 metres, which is amazing.

“It's amazing for a horse who could really compete at the top level in that 1000 to 1400 metre range.

“As an early four-year-old, he went over to Hong Kong and competed. Then, by the end of his racing career, he was still there battling it out.

“At his second-last start, he ran second in the Doomben 10,000 behind Falvelon. Then, in his final start, he beat Falvelon in the Group 1 Stradbroke.

“So, just that whole career was something very special and I don't think I've seen another horse do that.”