Multiple Group One winner and top sire Shamardal dies, aged 18

Bin Suroor pays tribute to ‘one of Godolphin’s best horses’.

Multiple Group One winner and renowned stallion Shamardal has died at the age of 18 as a result of recent health issues.

Trained by Mark Johnston to win the Vintage Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes as a two-year-old, the son of Giant’s Causeway joined Saeed bin Suroor in the Godolphin colours for his three-year-old season.

It proved a memorable one, as Shamardal landed the French 2000 Guineas, French Derby and the St James’s Palace Stakes, in the year Royal Ascot was held at York. His only defeat in seven career outings came on dirt at Nad Al Sheba in the UAE Derby.

Shamardal winning the Dewhurst Stakes under Kevin Darley in 2014
Shamardal winning the Dewhurst Stakes under Kevin Darley in 2014 (Chris Radburn/PA)

Bin Suroor told www.darleyeurope.com: “We were all very sad to hear of the passing of Shamardal. 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.”

Based at Darley’s Kildangan Stud in Ireland, Shamardal’s highest-rated performer to date is the unbeaten Pinatubo, while his other Group One winners from five top-level victors last season included Earthlight and Victor Ludorum.

Kerrin McEvoy celebrates winning the St James's Palace Stakes with Shamardal (
Kerrin McEvoy celebrates winning the St James’s Palace Stakes with Shamardal (John Giles/PA)

He is also the sire of now-retired sprinter Blue Point, who claimed four Group Ones in his own right, among them the King’s Stand and Diamond Jubilee Stakes at the Royal meeting in 2019.

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.”

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