French-bred 6-year-old Splash Back brought the ultimate reward for her bold importation from Europe in becoming an elite winner in the June 27 Tattersall's Tiara (G1) for fillies and mares over 1,400 meters (about 7 furlongs) at Eagle Farm.
Trained by Grahame Begg and well ridden by his main jockey Jordan Childs, the compact Le Havre mare settled near the rear on the fence from gate 5 of 17 before making ground to be midfield by the halfway point behind a fair pace.
As the longshot leaders weakened into the home straight, several challengers emerged with their bids down the center of the track, but it was Splash Back—plotting the inside course which proved popular on the day—who had the strongest finish.
Defying a betting drift to jump at AU$8.50 despite a solid last-start sixth in the Stradbroke Handicap (G1), Splash Back powered home to claim the last group 1 of the season by 1 1/4 lengths from Tony Gollan's 4-year-old Savagery Vibe.
Team Munce's 4-year-old Gerringong took third in the weight-for-age event.
Victory capped a five-year story for Splash Back and prominent Victorian owner Sandy McGregor.
Out of a dual group-winning, dual group 1-placed dam who's produced three stakes victors, Splash Back showed early promise for Stawell trainer Andrew Bobbin, winning two of her first three country starts before scoring at Sandown.
Transferred to Cranbourne-based Begg, she scored at Caulfield and Flemington last winter to earn promotion to black-type grade, and won Moonee Valley's 2025 Stocks Stakes (G2) in September.
After running eighth in her first attempt at the top level in Flemington's Empire Rose Stakes (G1), Splash Back was targeted at the Brisbane winter and won Eagle Farm's Victory Stakes (G2) second-up.
Her return to the top tier brought a ninth in the Kingsford Smith Cup (G1) before her improved Stradbroke run, leading to her huge boost in value through her Tattersall's Tiara success.
A delighted Begg said the triumph showcased the deep fighting spirit of Splash Back, who now boasts nine wins from 23 starts.
"She's been a beauty, this horse. Since we got her to train, she's been outstanding," said Begg, noting the mare's smallish stature.
"She's all heart. She just goes out and goes to war for you."
Childs said he was confident in the run, provided the race transpired the way it did.
"She's obviously always a horse that gets back in her races and just needs a lot of luck," he said.
Bred by the Ecurie La Vallee Martigny Earl Franklin Finance Sa, Splash Back is the seventh foal out of Tamazirte, who won at group 2 and group 3 level over 1,600 meters (about 1 mile) at Longchamp, and ran back-to-back seconds in group 1s in France over 1,600 meters and 2,100 meters (about 1 5/16 miles) in 2009.
Before Splash Back's yearling purchase, Tamazirte had proven herself as a broodmare with her daughter Into The Mystic winning in listed class, and son Chaknak claiming two group 3s in France in 2020, over 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) and 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles).
Le Havre, who died at age 16 in 2022, has 74 stakes winners to date.
The final G1 of the Australian season goes to SPLASH BACK! 🌊
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) June 27, 2026
Grahame Begg’s filly lands the Tattersalls Tiara under Jordan Childs 👏 pic.twitter.com/tNOojBE9xm
