Son of Shamardal creates big impression

Melbourne Cup favourite Puissance de Lune is now Cox Plate favourite as well following the Shamardal entire’s first win at weight-for-age in the G2 P.B Lawrence Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield, August 17.

Resuming from a five-month spell, Puissance de Lune settled last in the early stages as expected. Despite still being last at the 300m mark, jockey Glen Boss never panicked, driving the six-year-old through a gap at the 200m mark and going on for a soft victory.

A three-time winner of the Melbourne Cup on Makybe Diva, Boss described Puissance de Lune as a “genuine superstar” and “one of the best horses I have ever ridden” following the win.

Bred by Round Hill Stud, Puissance de Lune is out of the winning Unbridled’s Song mare Princess Serena, a half-sister to Serena’s Storm who is the dam of this season’s G2-winning Iffraaj juvenile filly Rizeena.

Puissance de Lune started his career as part of the Damien de Watrigant stable in France before Australian bloodstock agent Robert Roulston paid 90,000 euros for him on behalf current owner Gerry Ryan at the 2011 Arqana Arc Sale.

Puissance de Lune is one of 28 Stakes horses for Shamardal in 2013, with eight of those winning at Group level. He has a pair of G1-winners in Dan Excel (registered as Dunboyne Express) and Maybe Discreet; Mukhadram won the G2 York Stakes and he also has German classic-winner Akua'da.