Shakespearean, a son of Darley first-season sire Shamardal (pictured), recorded his first Pattern victory in a style reminiscent of his sire, leading all the way to land the G3 Solario Stakes, run over seven furlongs at Sandown.
Jumping smartly out of the stalls, Mark Johnston’s charge was soon in front and opened up a clear lead inside the final three furlongs. Challenged by Godolphin’s Buzzword close to home, Shakespearean simply could not be caught and ran on superbly to win by a length and a quarter. In the same race, Dubawi Phantom (Dubawi) posted a more than creditable performance to take third, sticking to the inside rail and finished just a head behind Buzzword.
Shakespearean is now likely to head for the Goffs Million later this month, followed by a possible tilt at either the Racing Post Trophy or the Darley Dewhurst Stakes. Should he go on to succees at the highest level, it will not come as a complete surprise as this race has been won in the past by the likes of Oh So Sharp, Alhaarth and more recently, subsequent Breeders' Cup Classic winner and Darley stallion Raven's Pass.
Bred by Mrs H Owen and now owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktoum, he is out of Paimpolaise, herself a half-sister to Pont Aven who is the dam of four Black type winners including Sainte Marine and Josr Algarhoud.
Shamardal has now sired ten winners of 13 races, including Listed winner Arctic and promising colt Lowdown.
Dubawi, Europe’s leading first-season sire has sired 18 individual winners including Listed winner Sand Vixen and recent Acomb Stakes third, Poet’s Voice.
