Having only her sixth start on September 1, the G1-performing filly Elle Shadow (Shamardal) produced an outstanding effort to win the G3 Belmondo-Preis at Baden Baden by two lengths, defeating three-year-old colt Empire Storm, who is by Darley Japan's Storming Home.
Racing handy throughout in the field of eight, the Peter Schiergen-trained filly took the lead about 500m from home and kept on going strong. Showing considerable staying prowess, as alos demonstrated by her narrow second in the G1 Pries der Diana (German Oaks) last month, Elle Shadow has only contested Stakes races in all her six starts and she is yet to finish outside the top three places.
Sire in the southern hemisphere of the dual G1-winning filly Faint Perfume, as well as top-quality Stakes colts Shamoline Warrior and Captain Sonador, Shamardal is represented in the northern hemisphere by 12 Stakes horse highlighted by the dual G1 winner Lope de Vega, who emulated his sire in completing the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains/Prix du Jockey Club double.
A European Champion at two and three, Shamardal won all of his six turf starts before embarking on a successful shuttle stud career.
Set to once again be a leading player throughout the forthcoming spring carnival, there are many promising runners coming through for the son of Giant’s Causeway including Bart Cummings' impressive debut winner Goldstone, who will be aimed towards the G1 Spring Champion Stakes at Royal Randwick.
