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Former shuttler euthanised at Kilgangan Stud.
Leading Darley stallion Shamardal (Giant's Causeway) has been euthanised at Kildangan Stud in Ireland as a result of health issues. He was 18.
The son of Giant's Causeway (Storm Cat) was only beaten once in his seven start career, kicking off his career in July 2004 at Ayr, before taking out the Vintage Stakes (Gr 2, 7f) two weeks later at Goodwood and then showed his brilliance with an exceptional victory in the Dewhurst Stakes (Gr 1, 7f).
He surrendered his unbeaten record on his first start as a three-year-old in the UAE Derby (Gr 2, 1800m), having been moved from Mark Johnston's yard to Saeed bin Suroor's Godolphin stable after the breeding powerhouse purchased the colt at the conclusion of his two-year-old season.
Upon his return to Europe, Shamardal strung together an extraordinary trio of elite level victories in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Gr 1, 1600m), Prix du Jockey Club (Gr 1, 2100m) and in the St James's Palace (Gr 1, 1m) - which proved to be his last start on a racecourse after injury prematurely curtailed his career.
He stood his very first season in Australia, where his first crop was headed by multiple Group 1 winner Faint Perfume. He was also quick to make an impression at stud in Europe and was crowned leading first-season sire during his first northern hemisphere season, siring Solario Stakes (Gr 3, 7f) winner Shakespearean and Group 1 performer Zazou.
The stallion - who shuttled to Australia between 2005 and 2010 - is represented by 27 stakes winners in the country headlined by four Group 1 winners; Maybe Discreet, Delecation, Captain Sonador and the aforementioned Faint Perfume.
The news of his death comes only days after Darley announced his super fast son Blue Point - who landed the rare Royal Ascot double when taking out the King's Stand Stakes (Gr 1, 5f) and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) four days later - will shuttle to Darley's Northwood Park base in 2020.
His death comes arguably after the stallion's best season to date, having sired no fewer than five Group 1 winners including a record-breaking three juveniles to prevail at the highest level in the brilliant Pinatubo, Earthlight and Victor Ludorum. Overall the son of Giant's Causeway has sired 146 stakes winners with 25 of those winning at the highest level.
Shamardal also established himself as a broodmare sire with his daughter's producing 40 stakes winning, headlined by five Group 1 winners; Latrobe, Awtaad, Pretty Pollyanna, Mighty High and Hello Youmzain.
"We were all very sad to hear of the passing of Shamardal," said bin Suroor. "He was a Champion two-year-old and became one of Godolphin's best horses, winning two Classics in France as well as the St James's Palace Stakes.
"He went on to establish himself as a top sire, producing exceptional horses throughout the world, and everyone is going to miss him. It is a sad day but I am sure that his progeny will continue his legacy both on the racecourse and in the breeding sheds."
Joe Osborne, managing director of Godolphin Ireland said: "Shamardal embodied mental and physical toughness – as a racehorse and as a stallion. As the racing world has seen over the past 15 years, he passed those qualities on to his progeny.
"He contended with a range of health issues over recent years and did so with fortitude and resilience. It's a tough day for us saying goodbye to him. This is an appropriate time to thank our team of stallion personnel and support professionals who cared for him so well and so kindly throughout his time here at Kildangan Stud."
Meanwhile, Sam Bullard, director of stallions at Darley was fulsome in his praise for the stallion.
"Shamardal has been the mainstay of our Irish stallion roster for many years and will be sorely missed by the team at Kildangan," said Bullard.
"His record as a sire speaks for itself and we have enjoyed many great days on the racecourse courtesy of his sons and daughters. Led by the imperious Pinatubo, Shamardal's juvenile crop of last year was truly outstanding siring three unbeaten Group 1-winning juvenile colts, a feat never achieved before since the start of the Pattern."
