Just days after his daughter Castle Lady won the Prix de la Grotte (a trial for the French 1,000 Guineas) at Longchamp, Kildangan Stud stalwart Shamardal added a new horse with Classic potential to his record when Skardu took the G3 Craven Stakes at HQ on Wednesday, 17 April.
The William Haggas-trained colt was settled off the early pace under James Doyle and did not enjoy the clearest of runs once asked to quicken. However, switched to the left with two furlongs left to run, Skardu soon moved up to take the lead and held off the challenge of eventual second Momkin to win by a neck.
Skardu won his only start at two, also at Newmarket, when landing a seven-furlong maiden last September. Behind him that day was UAE 2,000 Guineas winner Estihdaaf.
Skardu was bred by Sheikh Abdulla bin Isa al Khalifa and is one of two winners from two foals to race out of the Iffraaj mare Diala.
Shamardal is enjoying another very successful year with his runners, led by Blue Point – unbeaten this year and the outstanding winner of the G1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night.
