Having been occupied with all the sales I have had little time to concentrate on my blog. Now that I have now time hands i have decided would take a look at the profile of this season European Freshman sire Champion. For the second year running the leading first season sire (in order of prize money won) will be award to the sire that produced the winner of the Goffs Million Mile winner. It has been far from just Shakespearean’s exploits at the end of September that have propelled Shamardal to the top the table of the leading First Crop Sires table. Shamardal has in fact sired 18 individual winners to win 26 races, including 2 stakes winners, in Europe. In fact it is fair to say that Darley’s Stallion operation have got the freshman sires championship sewn up as it was their sire Dubawi, who has proved to be the leading sire of winners have sired winners of 30 races.
Shamardal certainly came into the 2009 European turf season with a strong reputation. He was an exceptional racehorse having been a European Champion at both two and three. Having shown encouraging signs with his first runners in the Southern Hemisphere, where he sired 12 winners, Shamardal was expected to perform, and that he did he has and looks a very thrilling sire for the future.
Shamardal’s story certainly has plenty of drama however all these comments were very much off the track as his racecourses performances were nothing but faultless. Bred by Brilliant Stable, in America, Shamardal was from the first crop of the ‘Iron Horse’, Giant Causeway. Having realised $485,000 at Keeneland’s 2002 November Breeding Stock Sale he was return under the conditions of sale having been a wobbler. Having received extensive treatment he was re-offered for auction the Tattersalls Houghton yearling sale in 2003, under the Voute Sales draft, where he was purchased by Michael Goodbody, on behalf of Gainsborough Stud and its nominees.
Put into training with the colt’s under bidder at the Tattersalls, Mark Johnston, Shamardal won his maiden at Ayr by an impressive 8 lengths in mid July. He then headed to the ‘Glorious’ Goodwood meeting where he took on a strong field that included a future Breeders’ Cup winner in the Vintage stakes (Gr 2). Again using the same tactics Shamardal made all and drew well clear of Wilko to win by 2 ½ lengths.
Unlike this year, the Dewhurst Stakes (Gr 1) in 2004 was unquestionably the strongest two year old race of 2004. The favourite was the Champagne Stakes (Gr 2) winner, Etaala, with the field also consisting of the winners of the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Gr 1), in Oratorio, the Coventry Stakes (Gr 2), in Iceman, and the Richmond Stakes (Gr 2), in Montgomery's Arch. Shamardal, who was running in the Gainsborough Stud colours for the first time rather than Abdulla Buhaleeba’s, again dictated the race by cutting out the running. His class was obvious, he was the last horse off the bridle and as he stretched clear to win by 2 ½ lengths and earn a Timeform rating of 126p that crowned him to be the highest rated horse in Europe at two years.
Shamardal was to run in a third set of colours in 2005 as he was transferred to the Godolphin operation. Therefore wintering in Dubai Shamardal first target was the UAE Derby (Gr 3), at the end of March, and was his only blemish. Having finished 9th, to his stable mate, Blues And Royal, this was a performance that was prove to be too bad to be true.
With this an attempt at the Kentucky Derby (Gr 1) was soon taken off the agenda and a European campaign was mapped out. First it was to Longchamp for the for the Gainsborough Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Gr 1). Sent of favourite Shamardal executed his now familiar tactics and, under a brilliant well judged ride from Dettori, made all to hold on to win by a head to Indesatchel. It was then back to France to achieve the Classic double, stepping up 2 ½ furlongs, to his chance in the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr 1). The French Classic double had not been done since Right Royal V in 1961. However the 2005 Classic had also made the history books already, if controversially, as it was the first year the race was not to be run over the traditional 12 furlongs. Again under masterful ride Dettori set the pace before quickening 1 ½ furlong out. With Hurricane Run, who need all of the 10 ½ furlong trip, took a while to get going only just failed to get to Shamardal who had won his second Classic by a neck.
It was then onto Royal Ascot at York, as the Berkshire course was having its grandstand rebuilt, where Shamardal took on another top-class field of three year-old in the St James’s Palace Stakes (Gr 1). The field of eight consisted of the Middle Park Stakes (Gr 1) winner, Ad Valorem, Oratorio and Indesatchel. Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, due to Dettori being suspended, on lightening quick ground Shamardal despatched his rivals in normal fashion by a winning by three lengths. This was without a doubt Shamardal’s finest performance and earnt him a Timeform figure of 129. Sadly, un-like his sire who won a further four Group 1’s after his win the same race; this was to be Shamardal final race. On the eve of the Eclipse Stakes (Gr 1), Shamardal was found to be lame and it was later diagnosed as ankle chip.
Not only had Shamardal shown that he was a top-class racehorse but he had the pedigree to accompany it. Shamardal is out of the Machiavellian mare Helsinki, who was herself an own-sister to Street Cry. At the time of Shamardal retiring to stud, which is his first season was to be at Darley’s Australia’s operation at a fee of Aus$55,000 in August 2005, Street Cry’s oldest crop were only yearlings. Shamardal pedigree was far from just a one-horse pedigree as his second dam, Street Cry’s dam, was the Irish Oaks (Gr 1) winner Helen Street. This daughter of Troy had not only produced Street Cry and Helsinki but also Listed winner Historian as well as the dam of two Group 3 winners in Magna Graecia and Graikos, as well as the dam of the Stakes winner Tears I Cry. The pedigree traces back to the Shamardal’s third dam Waterway, winner of the Prix du Calvados (Gr 3), who was out of the Princess Margaret winner Boulevard (Pall Mall).
Shamardal’s sire was another credential that looked to give him huge commercial value. Giant’s Causeway was proving to be a sire sensation. By the end of 2005 he had sired 10 stakes winners from only two crops of racing age that had included fellow Group 1 winners Footstepsinthesand, Maids Causeway and First Samurai. This son of Storm Cat has gone on to sired 64 stakes winners of which 16 are at Grade 1 level.
With Giant’s Causeway having been moved to Ashford Stud in Kentucky, Shamardal offered breeder’s this emerging sire line branch, when he stood his first European breeding season at Kildargan Stud for a fee of €40,000. Understandably he proved popular covering books of 143, 141 and 140 in his first three seasons, which included some of best mares in world, which was certainly fuelled with success of Street Cry’s first crop which featured the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Gr 1) winner, Street Sense, who was to go on win the Kentucky Derby (Gr 1).
It was not surprising that Shamardal’s first European winner was trained by Mark Johnston, who trained Shakespearean, to be his sires first Stakes winner when winning the Solario Stakes (Gr 2) by 1 ¼ lengths at Sandown, as well as being his leading earner, as mention above. Shamardal second stakes winner was Arctic who won the Listed Grangecon Stud Stakes before following up with the Round Tower Stakes (Gr 3) at the Curragh.
There is certainly no doubt as to whether Shamardal’s three-year-olds will train on. His first Southern Hemisphere Classic crop have certainly hit the ground running as after only three months he has already sired three stakes winners with undoubtedly more to come. In fact, Shamardal has achieved the same feat as his sire in siring a Group 1 winner in his first crop as Faint Perfume followed up her Wakeful Stakes (Gr 2) victory to win the Victoria Oaks (Gr 1) on the 5th November.
With this Shamardal has some very exciting time ahead for next season with not only his stakes winners but with the likes of Lope De Vega (who is in-bred to Machiavellian), Noble Alpha and Burj Nahar, to name three, who have made eye-catching debuts.
Shamardal certainly came into the 2009 European turf season with a strong reputation. He was an exceptional racehorse having been a European Champion at both two and three. Having shown encouraging signs with his first runners in the Southern Hemisphere, where he sired 12 winners, Shamardal was expected to perform, and that he did he has and looks a very thrilling sire for the future.
Shamardal’s story certainly has plenty of drama however all these comments were very much off the track as his racecourses performances were nothing but faultless. Bred by Brilliant Stable, in America, Shamardal was from the first crop of the ‘Iron Horse’, Giant Causeway. Having realised $485,000 at Keeneland’s 2002 November Breeding Stock Sale he was return under the conditions of sale having been a wobbler. Having received extensive treatment he was re-offered for auction the Tattersalls Houghton yearling sale in 2003, under the Voute Sales draft, where he was purchased by Michael Goodbody, on behalf of Gainsborough Stud and its nominees.
Put into training with the colt’s under bidder at the Tattersalls, Mark Johnston, Shamardal won his maiden at Ayr by an impressive 8 lengths in mid July. He then headed to the ‘Glorious’ Goodwood meeting where he took on a strong field that included a future Breeders’ Cup winner in the Vintage stakes (Gr 2). Again using the same tactics Shamardal made all and drew well clear of Wilko to win by 2 ½ lengths.
Unlike this year, the Dewhurst Stakes (Gr 1) in 2004 was unquestionably the strongest two year old race of 2004. The favourite was the Champagne Stakes (Gr 2) winner, Etaala, with the field also consisting of the winners of the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Gr 1), in Oratorio, the Coventry Stakes (Gr 2), in Iceman, and the Richmond Stakes (Gr 2), in Montgomery's Arch. Shamardal, who was running in the Gainsborough Stud colours for the first time rather than Abdulla Buhaleeba’s, again dictated the race by cutting out the running. His class was obvious, he was the last horse off the bridle and as he stretched clear to win by 2 ½ lengths and earn a Timeform rating of 126p that crowned him to be the highest rated horse in Europe at two years.
Shamardal was to run in a third set of colours in 2005 as he was transferred to the Godolphin operation. Therefore wintering in Dubai Shamardal first target was the UAE Derby (Gr 3), at the end of March, and was his only blemish. Having finished 9th, to his stable mate, Blues And Royal, this was a performance that was prove to be too bad to be true.
With this an attempt at the Kentucky Derby (Gr 1) was soon taken off the agenda and a European campaign was mapped out. First it was to Longchamp for the for the Gainsborough Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Gr 1). Sent of favourite Shamardal executed his now familiar tactics and, under a brilliant well judged ride from Dettori, made all to hold on to win by a head to Indesatchel. It was then back to France to achieve the Classic double, stepping up 2 ½ furlongs, to his chance in the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr 1). The French Classic double had not been done since Right Royal V in 1961. However the 2005 Classic had also made the history books already, if controversially, as it was the first year the race was not to be run over the traditional 12 furlongs. Again under masterful ride Dettori set the pace before quickening 1 ½ furlong out. With Hurricane Run, who need all of the 10 ½ furlong trip, took a while to get going only just failed to get to Shamardal who had won his second Classic by a neck.
It was then onto Royal Ascot at York, as the Berkshire course was having its grandstand rebuilt, where Shamardal took on another top-class field of three year-old in the St James’s Palace Stakes (Gr 1). The field of eight consisted of the Middle Park Stakes (Gr 1) winner, Ad Valorem, Oratorio and Indesatchel. Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, due to Dettori being suspended, on lightening quick ground Shamardal despatched his rivals in normal fashion by a winning by three lengths. This was without a doubt Shamardal’s finest performance and earnt him a Timeform figure of 129. Sadly, un-like his sire who won a further four Group 1’s after his win the same race; this was to be Shamardal final race. On the eve of the Eclipse Stakes (Gr 1), Shamardal was found to be lame and it was later diagnosed as ankle chip.
Not only had Shamardal shown that he was a top-class racehorse but he had the pedigree to accompany it. Shamardal is out of the Machiavellian mare Helsinki, who was herself an own-sister to Street Cry. At the time of Shamardal retiring to stud, which is his first season was to be at Darley’s Australia’s operation at a fee of Aus$55,000 in August 2005, Street Cry’s oldest crop were only yearlings. Shamardal pedigree was far from just a one-horse pedigree as his second dam, Street Cry’s dam, was the Irish Oaks (Gr 1) winner Helen Street. This daughter of Troy had not only produced Street Cry and Helsinki but also Listed winner Historian as well as the dam of two Group 3 winners in Magna Graecia and Graikos, as well as the dam of the Stakes winner Tears I Cry. The pedigree traces back to the Shamardal’s third dam Waterway, winner of the Prix du Calvados (Gr 3), who was out of the Princess Margaret winner Boulevard (Pall Mall).
Shamardal’s sire was another credential that looked to give him huge commercial value. Giant’s Causeway was proving to be a sire sensation. By the end of 2005 he had sired 10 stakes winners from only two crops of racing age that had included fellow Group 1 winners Footstepsinthesand, Maids Causeway and First Samurai. This son of Storm Cat has gone on to sired 64 stakes winners of which 16 are at Grade 1 level.
With Giant’s Causeway having been moved to Ashford Stud in Kentucky, Shamardal offered breeder’s this emerging sire line branch, when he stood his first European breeding season at Kildargan Stud for a fee of €40,000. Understandably he proved popular covering books of 143, 141 and 140 in his first three seasons, which included some of best mares in world, which was certainly fuelled with success of Street Cry’s first crop which featured the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Gr 1) winner, Street Sense, who was to go on win the Kentucky Derby (Gr 1).
It was not surprising that Shamardal’s first European winner was trained by Mark Johnston, who trained Shakespearean, to be his sires first Stakes winner when winning the Solario Stakes (Gr 2) by 1 ¼ lengths at Sandown, as well as being his leading earner, as mention above. Shamardal second stakes winner was Arctic who won the Listed Grangecon Stud Stakes before following up with the Round Tower Stakes (Gr 3) at the Curragh.
There is certainly no doubt as to whether Shamardal’s three-year-olds will train on. His first Southern Hemisphere Classic crop have certainly hit the ground running as after only three months he has already sired three stakes winners with undoubtedly more to come. In fact, Shamardal has achieved the same feat as his sire in siring a Group 1 winner in his first crop as Faint Perfume followed up her Wakeful Stakes (Gr 2) victory to win the Victoria Oaks (Gr 1) on the 5th November.
With this Shamardal has some very exciting time ahead for next season with not only his stakes winners but with the likes of Lope De Vega (who is in-bred to Machiavellian), Noble Alpha and Burj Nahar, to name three, who have made eye-catching debuts.
