Shamardal (USA)
March 27, 2002 – April 16, 2020
Giant’s Causeway (USA) x Helsinki (GB), by Machiavellian (USA)
Family 1-l
March 27, 2002 – April 16, 2020
Giant’s Causeway (USA) x Helsinki (GB), by Machiavellian (USA)
Family 1-l
A member of Giant’s Causeway’s first crop, Shamardal overcame serious health issues and helped get his sire off to a hot start by earning a championship as Europe’s best juvenile colt in 2004. He was not far off that standard in 2005, winning two French Classics, and retired to become an important sire in Europe and Australia.
Race record
7 starts, 6 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, US$1,931,788 (includes converted earnings from England and France)
2004:
2005:
Honors
Cartier Award, European champion 2-year-old male (2004)
Assessments
Highweighted on the English Free Handicap for 2-year-old males of 2004.
Rated at 125 pounds in the Mile category on the 2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings, 5 pounds below overall highweight Hurricane Run (the European Horse of the Year) and 3 pounds below the top-rated miler, Ghostzapper.
Highweighted among English 3-year-old males of 2005 over 7-9.5 furlongs.
As an individual
A lengthy, rather plain bay horse, Shamardal was strongly made with an excellent shoulder and good-sized feet. He was relaxed and easy-going around the barn but determined and dominant on the race course. His only defeat was when tried on dirt in the 2005 UAE Derby (UAE-G2) at Nad al Sheba in Dubai. He was retired after fracturing a fetlock while in training for the 2005 Eclipse Stakes (ENG-G1).
As a stallion
According to statistics complied by The Jockey Club, Shamardal has sired 1054 winners (60.0%) and 168 stakes winners (9.6%) from 1758 named foals of racing age as of February 21, 2024. Shamardal is an Intermediate/Classic chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
Notable progeny
Able Friend (AUS), Amaron (GB), Amazing Speed (IRE), Baltic Baroness (GER), Blue Point (IRE), Captain Sonador (AUS), Casamento (IRE), Castle Lady (IRE), Cinderella's Dream (IRE), Crackerjack King (IRE), Darivan (FR), Delectation (AUS), Dunboyne Express (IRE), Earthlight (IRE), Emaraaty Ana (GB), Faint Perfume (AUS), Inisherin (GB), Lope de Vega (IRE), Lumiere (GB), Maybe Discreet (AUS), Mukhadram (GB), Ninas Shadow (GER), Pinatubo (IRE), Sagawara (GB), Sheikha Reika (FR), Speedy Boarding (GB), Subway Dancer (IRE), Tarnawa (IRE), Tryster (IRE), Victor Ludorum (GB), Water Queen (GB), Zazou (GER)
Dunboyne Express was exported to Hong Kong in 2012 and renamed “Dan Excel”; under that name, he became a Group 1 winner in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Ninas Shadow was exported to Hong Kong and renamed “Pakistan Star”; under that name, he became a Group 1 winner in Hong Kong.
Notable progeny of daughters
Awtaad (IRE), Ceolwulf (NZ), Facteur Cheval (IRE), Goliath (GER), Hello Youmzain (FR), Latrobe (IRE), Pretty Pollyanna (GB), Sosie (IRE)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Shamardal was bred by Brilliant Stable. After being purchased for 50,000 guineas (the equivalent of US$87,680) through the 2003 Tattersalls Houghton yearling sale, he raced for Abdullah Buhaleeba, who leased the colt from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Gainsborough Stud. Following Shamardal’s victory in the Vintage Stakes, the lease was terminated and Shamardal raced for Gainsborough Stud for the rest of his juvenile season. At 3, he ran in the silks of the Maktoum family’s Godolphin Racing. He was trained by Mark Johnston at 2 and by Saeed bin Suroor at 3. Shamardal entered stud in 2006 at Kildangan Stud, Ireland, and stood there throughout his Northern Hemisphere stud career. He also shuttled to Australia in 2005-2010. Shamardal was euthanized at Kildangan Stud in April 2020 due to health issues.
Pedigree notes
Shamardal is inbred 5x4 to two-time American champion sire Halo, 5x5 to the excellent broodmare Natalma, and 5x5 to 1960 American champion 2-year-old male and 1970 American champion sire Hail to Reason. He is a half brother to 2013 Beresford Stakes (IRE-G2) winner Geoffrey Chaucer (by Montjeu) and to stakes-placed Diamond Necklace (by Unbridled’s Song), dam of Grade 1-placed multiple listed stakes winner Dogtag (by War Front) and second dam of Australian Group 2 winner Osipenko and 2024 King's Plate winner Caitlinhergrtness. Shamardal is also a half sister to Helsinka, dam of multiple timber racing stakes winner Straight to It (by Giant’s Causeway) and 2017 Gran Premio Valderas (Spanish One Thousand Guineas) winner Honeymoon Trip (by My Boy Charlie), and to Shamarbelle (by Montjeu), second dam of 2022 Chilean champion 2-year-old turf filly Sos Genia.
Shamardal is out of stakes-placed Helsinki, a full sister to 2002 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) winner and successful sire Street Cry, who was the United Arab Emirates’ Horse of the Year in the year of his Dubai Cup win. Helsinki is also a full sister to River Street, second dam of French Group 2 winner Wed, and a half sister to French listed stakes winner Historian (by Pennekamp), second dam of multiple French Group 1 winner Victor Ludorum. In addition, she is a half sister to Mount Helena (by Danzig), dam of Grade 3-placed stakes winner Tears I Cry (by Chester House) and second dam of Australian Group 2 winner Thronum. Finally, Helsinki is a half sister to Grecian Slipper (by Sadler’s Wells), dam of French Group 3 winners Magna Graecia (by Warning) and Graikos (by Rainbow Quest) and French listed stakes winner Parthenon (by Dubai Destination), second dam of Australian Group 2 winner Paximadia, and third dam of 2015 Prix Jean Prat (FR-G1) winner Territories.
Helsinki, in turn, is out of 1985 Gilltown Stud Irish Oaks (IRE-G1) winner Helen Street. Sired by 1979 English Horse of the Year Troy, Helen Street is out of 1978 Prix du Calvados (FR-G3) winner Waterway (by Riverman x Boulevard, by Pall Mall), whose Group 2-placed half sister Silken Way (by Shantung) is the second dam of 2003 Japanese champion 3-year-old male Neo Universe, multiple English Group 3 winner Painter’s Row, and French Group 3 winner Fairy Path.
Books and media
Footage of Shamardal’s victory in the 2004 Dewhurst Stakes can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orM4ZyZFCUA.
Fun facts
Last updated: October 6, 2024
Race record
7 starts, 6 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, US$1,931,788 (includes converted earnings from England and France)
2004:
- Won Darley Dewhurst Stakes (ENG-G1, 7FT, Newmarket)
- Won Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes (ENG-G2, 7FT, Goodwood)
2005:
- Won Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas) (FR-G1, 1600mT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) (FR-G1, 2100mT, Chantilly)
- Won St. James's Palace Stakes (ENG-G1, 8FT, York)
Honors
Cartier Award, European champion 2-year-old male (2004)
Assessments
Highweighted on the English Free Handicap for 2-year-old males of 2004.
Rated at 125 pounds in the Mile category on the 2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings, 5 pounds below overall highweight Hurricane Run (the European Horse of the Year) and 3 pounds below the top-rated miler, Ghostzapper.
Highweighted among English 3-year-old males of 2005 over 7-9.5 furlongs.
As an individual
A lengthy, rather plain bay horse, Shamardal was strongly made with an excellent shoulder and good-sized feet. He was relaxed and easy-going around the barn but determined and dominant on the race course. His only defeat was when tried on dirt in the 2005 UAE Derby (UAE-G2) at Nad al Sheba in Dubai. He was retired after fracturing a fetlock while in training for the 2005 Eclipse Stakes (ENG-G1).
As a stallion
According to statistics complied by The Jockey Club, Shamardal has sired 1054 winners (60.0%) and 168 stakes winners (9.6%) from 1758 named foals of racing age as of February 21, 2024. Shamardal is an Intermediate/Classic chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
- 4th on the English general sire list in 2014; 6th in 2019; 7th in 2015; 10th in 2016.
- 5th on the English broodmare sire list in 2023; 6th in 2022; 7th in 2020; 10th in 2021.
- Led the English juvenile sire list in 2019.
- 5th on the French general sire list in 2010, 2016, and 2020; 7th in 2019; 10th in 2021.
- 8th on the French broodmare sire list in 2023; 9th in 2022.
- 4th on the German general sire list in 2010; 8th in 2016.
- 4th on the Irish general sire list in 2009 and 2019; 5th in 2014; 8th in 2011.
- 2nd on the Irish broodmare sire list in 2018; 9th in 2019.
- Led the Irish juvenile sire list in 2009.
- 4th on the Italian general sire list in 2011.
- 3rd on the Italian broodmare sire list in 2017.
Notable progeny
Able Friend (AUS), Amaron (GB), Amazing Speed (IRE), Baltic Baroness (GER), Blue Point (IRE), Captain Sonador (AUS), Casamento (IRE), Castle Lady (IRE), Cinderella's Dream (IRE), Crackerjack King (IRE), Darivan (FR), Delectation (AUS), Dunboyne Express (IRE), Earthlight (IRE), Emaraaty Ana (GB), Faint Perfume (AUS), Inisherin (GB), Lope de Vega (IRE), Lumiere (GB), Maybe Discreet (AUS), Mukhadram (GB), Ninas Shadow (GER), Pinatubo (IRE), Sagawara (GB), Sheikha Reika (FR), Speedy Boarding (GB), Subway Dancer (IRE), Tarnawa (IRE), Tryster (IRE), Victor Ludorum (GB), Water Queen (GB), Zazou (GER)
Dunboyne Express was exported to Hong Kong in 2012 and renamed “Dan Excel”; under that name, he became a Group 1 winner in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Ninas Shadow was exported to Hong Kong and renamed “Pakistan Star”; under that name, he became a Group 1 winner in Hong Kong.
Notable progeny of daughters
Awtaad (IRE), Ceolwulf (NZ), Facteur Cheval (IRE), Goliath (GER), Hello Youmzain (FR), Latrobe (IRE), Pretty Pollyanna (GB), Sosie (IRE)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Shamardal was bred by Brilliant Stable. After being purchased for 50,000 guineas (the equivalent of US$87,680) through the 2003 Tattersalls Houghton yearling sale, he raced for Abdullah Buhaleeba, who leased the colt from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Gainsborough Stud. Following Shamardal’s victory in the Vintage Stakes, the lease was terminated and Shamardal raced for Gainsborough Stud for the rest of his juvenile season. At 3, he ran in the silks of the Maktoum family’s Godolphin Racing. He was trained by Mark Johnston at 2 and by Saeed bin Suroor at 3. Shamardal entered stud in 2006 at Kildangan Stud, Ireland, and stood there throughout his Northern Hemisphere stud career. He also shuttled to Australia in 2005-2010. Shamardal was euthanized at Kildangan Stud in April 2020 due to health issues.
Pedigree notes
Shamardal is inbred 5x4 to two-time American champion sire Halo, 5x5 to the excellent broodmare Natalma, and 5x5 to 1960 American champion 2-year-old male and 1970 American champion sire Hail to Reason. He is a half brother to 2013 Beresford Stakes (IRE-G2) winner Geoffrey Chaucer (by Montjeu) and to stakes-placed Diamond Necklace (by Unbridled’s Song), dam of Grade 1-placed multiple listed stakes winner Dogtag (by War Front) and second dam of Australian Group 2 winner Osipenko and 2024 King's Plate winner Caitlinhergrtness. Shamardal is also a half sister to Helsinka, dam of multiple timber racing stakes winner Straight to It (by Giant’s Causeway) and 2017 Gran Premio Valderas (Spanish One Thousand Guineas) winner Honeymoon Trip (by My Boy Charlie), and to Shamarbelle (by Montjeu), second dam of 2022 Chilean champion 2-year-old turf filly Sos Genia.
Shamardal is out of stakes-placed Helsinki, a full sister to 2002 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) winner and successful sire Street Cry, who was the United Arab Emirates’ Horse of the Year in the year of his Dubai Cup win. Helsinki is also a full sister to River Street, second dam of French Group 2 winner Wed, and a half sister to French listed stakes winner Historian (by Pennekamp), second dam of multiple French Group 1 winner Victor Ludorum. In addition, she is a half sister to Mount Helena (by Danzig), dam of Grade 3-placed stakes winner Tears I Cry (by Chester House) and second dam of Australian Group 2 winner Thronum. Finally, Helsinki is a half sister to Grecian Slipper (by Sadler’s Wells), dam of French Group 3 winners Magna Graecia (by Warning) and Graikos (by Rainbow Quest) and French listed stakes winner Parthenon (by Dubai Destination), second dam of Australian Group 2 winner Paximadia, and third dam of 2015 Prix Jean Prat (FR-G1) winner Territories.
Helsinki, in turn, is out of 1985 Gilltown Stud Irish Oaks (IRE-G1) winner Helen Street. Sired by 1979 English Horse of the Year Troy, Helen Street is out of 1978 Prix du Calvados (FR-G3) winner Waterway (by Riverman x Boulevard, by Pall Mall), whose Group 2-placed half sister Silken Way (by Shantung) is the second dam of 2003 Japanese champion 3-year-old male Neo Universe, multiple English Group 3 winner Painter’s Row, and French Group 3 winner Fairy Path.
Books and media
Footage of Shamardal’s victory in the 2004 Dewhurst Stakes can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orM4ZyZFCUA.
Fun facts
- As a yearling, Shamardal began showing signs of wobbler syndrome, a neurological condition involving the spinal cord where it passes through the cervical spine. Usually progressive, it causes increasing loss of coordination and may lead to the animal’s complete collapse at any time. He was considered a candidate for euthanasia and an insurance claim on his life was paid off, but the insurance adjuster on the case, Richard Ketch, was familiar with the disorder and believed the colt’s life could be saved. The insurance company agreed to turn the colt over to Ketch in association with Herwig Schoen, a practitioner of alternate medicine for horses. Whether because of the treatment by Schoen or because of spontaneous recovery (which occurs in about 10 percent of wobbler cases), Shamardal made a full recovery.
- Shamardal’s relatively low price as a yearling stemmed from an endoscopic test that mistakenly diagnosed him as having a breathing problem.
Last updated: October 6, 2024