Two Darley stallions enjoyed a successful Friday when Holberg (Halling, pictured) ran out the impressive winner of the Listed Tapster Stakes at Goodwood, following Shakespearean’s (Shamardal) earlier victory in the Listed Surrey Stakes on Oaks day at Epsom.
Holberg, making his first start since winning the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot last year, led from the start of the 12-furlong contest and quickening clear with a furlong left to run, ran on superbly to record a six-length victory.
Bred in the UAE by Darley, Holberg is out of the Stakes-placed Assert mare Sweet Willa, a full sister to G1 winner Willa On The Move and a half-sister to multiple G1 winner Will’s Way.
Earlier in the day, Shamardal’s G3 Solario Stakes winner Shakespearean opened his three-year-old campaign in the best possible fashion, making all to land the seven-furlong Surrey Stakes.
This was the fourth victory for Shakespearean, who could now be aimed at either the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes or the G2 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Bred by Mrs H Owen, he is out of Paimpolaise, a half-sister to multiple Stakes winner and dual G2 producer Pont Aven.
Shamardal has now sired eight individual Black type winners this year, including G1 French Guineas winner Lope de Vega, who reappears in this Sunday’s French Derby; and fellow G1 winner Faint Perfume.
