The Athena Syndicate
Athena
Bay/Grey Filly (IRE) · by Shaman (IRE) out of Silver Rose (IRE) (2016)
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Trainer
Karl Burke
Classic Winning Trainer, Spigot Lodge
Set in the heart of Yorkshire near Middleham, Spigot Lodge has proved a successful training establishment for Karl Burke since its inception in 2000.
Burke took out his license in 1991 and is no stranger to success at the highest level, with 21 G1 victories to his name. Burke's years of training are invaluable, and he continues to break his own training records year on year. In his last five seasons alone, he has produced over 500 winners, ending 2025 with nearly £4 million in prize money.
Many a stable star has been produced from Burke's training establishment, most notably Laurens, who he trained to an incredible 6 G1 victories, including The Prix de Diane in Chantilly. Libertarian also provided Burke with a historic victory in the Dante at York in 2013, the first Yorkshire-trained winner in over 70 years. Since his first Royal Ascot victory with Quiet Reflection in 2016, Karl has not looked back, becoming the first trainer in over twenty years to win the Queen Mary (Group 2) and Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) when Leovanni and Shareholder both stormed home to win at the 2024 Royal meeting. Venetian Sun stormed home for Burke in this year's Commonwealth Cup.
We're hugely excited to begin our journey with Karl and his brilliant team at Spigot Lodge and look forward to some great visits to his north Yorkshire base.
Sire
Shaman (IRE)
Dam
Silver Rose (IRE) (2016)
Foaled
14 January 2025
Vendor
Yeomanstown Stud
Own sister to the winning Eternal Elixir (IRE)
View Fact Sheet & Pedigree (PDF) →About This Filly
An imposing daughter of Shaman, out of a mare, already proven at producing winners, including the 102-rated Eternal Elixir (Shaman). Walking the sales complex, some horses catch your eye with knockout looks, and we kept coming back to her, impressing more with each viewing.
Some shrewd judges and good trainers followed her into the ring, including Karl Burke. He is the perfect fit for this filly, and when approached about adding her to his incredible string, he was only too happy to accept.
She will make a two-year-old, but with scope to keep progressing, and if she takes after her brother, we'll be in for some fantastic days on the racecourse and in the winners' enclosure, for sure. Box ticked for the valuable Sales Race next year.