Shamardal

If Juddmonte keeps going like this, I might as well just copy and paste tributes already paid this summer to family trees it has cultivated through the past four decades. Before reprising that process, then, let's start with something of a detour. Daylami (Ire) was one of the most accomplished runners ever produced by another storied breed-to-race program. A Classic winner over a mile, in maturity he won the premier all-aged turf races in Britain (by five lengths), Ireland (by nine) and America. At stud, he was supported by both...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This column is highlighted by the victory of Godolphin's Cinderella's Dream in the Belmont Oaks.   Slipper Fits For Godolphin Miss Flawless in her first four starts in England and Dubai prior to a seventh in the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas, Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal) handed breeder Godolphin and Charlie Appleby a victory in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes during the final days of the Belmont at the Big A meeting...

Emerging from the 2,000 Guineas to take the crown as Sprint King, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) put genuine star quality into a division that badly needed it when dominating Friday's G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. Doubts as to whether the long-striding homebred could adapt to this speed test on fast summer ground were instantly dispelled as he moved so comfortably near the front under Tom Eaves. Allowed to coast to the lead two out, the 9-4 favourite, who could be the best that Kevin Ryan...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features the return of Rhetorical (Ire). 19.45 Newmarket, Nov, £10,000, 3yo, 10fT Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase RHETORICAL (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), a William Haggas trainee who shed maiden status over this trip at Newbury last month, is a half-brother to GI Joe Hirsch...

Group 2 winner Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) will be supplemented at a cost of £46,000 to the G1 Commonwealth Cup on Saturday, trainer Kevin Ryan has confirmed. The G2 Sandy Lane S. hero, who races for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, has won half of his four starts. He was a solid sixth in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas in May, prior to his Sandy Lane victory. "He is in good form," said Ryan. "He runs in the Commonwealth Cup." The colt will square off with dual Group 1 winner and...

With two Classic winners to his name already this season, Lope De Vega (Ire) peers down at his peers from on high in the stallion table. In an era of great depth to the European sire ranks, it is hard to begrudge the son of Shamardal his time in the spotlight with an increasingly burgeoning record of excellence. The Aga Khan's Rouhiya (Fr) landed the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches for Francis-Henri Graffard, followed by Sunday's easy victory for Look De Vega (Fr) in the Prix du Jockey Club. The latter...

On the 15th anniversary of the passing of Vincent O'Brien, his successor at Ballydoyle, Aidan O'Brien, extended his record at Epsom to 10 wins in the Derby. Vincent O'Brien's daughter and son-in-law Sue and John Magnier were not at Epsom on Saturday but several of the late, great trainer's grandchildren were in the winner's circle to greet City Of Troy. Their own family is now so strongly enmeshed with the man who shares their grandfather's surname but is no relation to the creator of Ballydoyle. Just like City Of Troy,...

Bouncing out of an increasingly-strong looking edition of the 2,000 Guineas, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal--Ajman Princess {Ire}, by Teofilo {Ire}) converted instantly and successfully to leading sprinter of his generation by taking Haydock's G2 Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Sandy Lane S. on Saturday. Producing sensational splits when beating the smart filly Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) in a mile novice at Newcastle in March before acquitting himself with credit when sixth in the Newmarket Classic three weeks ago, the Kevin Ryan-trained blueblood travelled strongly...

Godolphin's Diamond Rain (GB) (Shamardal--Dancing Rain {Ire}, by Danehill Dancer {Ire}), unraced as a juvenile, opened up with a narrow victory going just under a mile at Ascot in her May 1 debut last time and stepped forward to lay down a Classic marker in Saturday's Haras de Bouquetot Fillies' Trial S. at Newbury. The G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks entry accepted a tow in second for most of this 10-furlong contest. Looming large in the straight, the 3-1 joint-second favourite eased to the front passing the quarter-mile marker and quickened...

1st-Capannelle, €7,700, Vnd., 5-17, 2yo, 1200m (AWT), 1:15.90. LA PORTOGHESE (IRE) (f, Shaman {Ire}--Madame Cherie, by First Samurai) jumped well in this unveiling and briefly led before perching in a stalking second on the bend. Given her cue at the 600-metre mark, the race was over in a matter of strides, as she drew farther and farther clear down the lane to win by a geared down 10 lengths. Tindi Of Malindi (Ire) (National Defense {Ire}) was a distant second. Consigned by Baroda Stud to the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale,...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features a daughter of the Classic winner Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). 16.35 Ascot, Nov, £40,000, 3yo, f, 7f 213yT Godolphin's hitherto unraced DIAMOND RAIN (GB) (Shamardal) is a daughter of G1 Oaks and G1 German Oaks heroine Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and thus...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a 'half-sister to Group 1 winner Naval Crown (GB). 14.42 Newbury, Mdn, £12,000, 3yo, f, 10fT MAGIC DREAM (IRE) (Shamardal) is an eyecatching debutante for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby in this race which saw the future Oaks winner Eswarah (GB) (Unfuwain) and Irish Oaks heroine Star...