Shamardal has been enjoying an outstanding year to date, and recorded his 18th individual Black type performer of 2010 in the best possible fashion when Dunboyne Express won the G3 Anglesey Stakes in scintillating style at the Curragh on 18 July.
Always prominent, the Kevin Prendergast-trained colt took the lead at the halfway stage and stormed clear of his rivals to win with consummate ease - crossing the line a full eight lengths in front. He is now unbeaten in two starts having won on his debut at Leopardstown on 10 June. Today's victory has earned him quotes of 14-1 for next year’s 2,000 Guineas and he is now likely to be aimed at the G1 Phoenix Stakes and also holds an entry in the G1 National Stakes.
Owned and bred by John Connaughton, Dunboyne Express is out of the Polish Precedent mare Love Excelling, a half-sister to Love Divine – dam of St Leger winner Sixties Icon.
Also on Sunday Shamardal's first-crop son Zazou finished a very creditable second in the G1 German Derby behind Godolphin's Buzzword. Last seen running out the impressive winner of the G2 Oppenheim Union-Rennen, Zazou has now finished out of the first four just once in nine starts and has two Group victories to his name.
Shamardal is also sire of dual Classic winner Lope de Vega (winner of the French Guineas and French Derby this year), Australian dual G1 winner Faint Perfume.
