Darley sires Eclipse the field at Sandown

Mukhadram has been such a consistent performer for his sire Shamardal and on 5 July, he gained a well-deserved first G1 win when leading home no fewer than six G1 winners in the Eclipse at Sandown, with Teofilo’s Irish Derby winner Trading Leather running a fantastic race to take second.

Settled behind the pacemaker Somewhat, the five-year-old entire was always travelling well and taking the lead two furlongs from home, kept on superbly to win by two lengths from Trading Leather.

Mukhadram, previously twice a winner at G2 level, only found African Story too good in this year’s Dubai World Cup and was second to Dubawi’s Al Kazeem in a thrilling finish in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot just over a year ago. Trainer William Haggas said after the race that he is now likely to return to Ascot for the King George at the end of the month.

Bred by Wardall Bloodstock, Mukhadram is out of the UAE-bred mare Magic Tree - also dam of Group performer Woodland Aria and a half-sister to G1 St Leger winner Mastery, plus fellow G1 winner Kirklees.

Shamardal is enjoying an outstanding year, with Dunboyne Express adding another G1 victory to his record in May, plus G1 places for Ihtimal and Able Friend. Mukhadram is one of no fewer than 17 Stakes winners for his sire in 2014 – nine of whom have won at Group level.