French Navy gets his season off to a superb start

Shamardal not only has the ability to sire horses of the highest class, but also runners who continue to race at the elite level year after year and one of his flagbearers season after season is undoubtedly Godolphin's French Navy, who has continued his Stakes-winning ways into his sixth year of racing.

Making his seasonal debut in the G3 Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket, Charlie Appleby’s charge was settled towards the rear of the field and came with a fantastic late run under William Buick to sweep past his rivals and win by three-quarters of a length from Teofilo’s talented son Arod (who was fourth in last year’s Derby).

This was the 11th career win for the seven-year-old, a Group-winning juvenile who was also third in this race last year before winning three Stakes races on the bounce. He has now won four times at Group level.

French Navy is out of the Stakes-winning Woodman mare First Fleet, also dam of Cape Cross’s Group winner Sea Lord.

Shamardal has now sired ten individual Stakes winners in 2015, including G1 winner Able Friend, Winter Derby victor Tryster and Derby contender Zawraq. He stands at Kildangan Stud at a fee of €70,000 October 1st SLF.