TOP racehorse and leading stallion Shamardal has died at the age of 18.
A Darley linchpin based at Kildangan Stud for the last 15 years, he had suffered from a range of health issues.
Trained by Mark Johnston during his juvenile season, he won the Dewhurst Stakes before adding the French 2000 Guineas, French Derby and St James’s Palace Stakes for Saeed bin Suroor.
His only defeat in seven career outings came on dirt in the UAE Derby.
His progeny include last season’s champion two-year-old Pinatubo, while he enjoyed further Group 1 success last year with Earthlight, Victor Ludorum and Blue Point.
Other notable offspring include Able Friend, Mukhadram and Casamento.
Bin Suroor said: “We were all very sad to hear of the passing of Shamardal. He was a champion two-year-old and became one of Godolphin’s best horses, winning two Classics in France as well as the St James’s Palace Stakes.
“He went on to establish himself as a top sire, producing exceptional horses throughout the world, and everyone is going to miss him. It is a sad day, but I am sure that his progeny will continue his legacy both on the racecourse and in the breeding sheds.”
Joe Osborne, managing director of Godolphin Ireland, added: “Shamardal embodied mental and physical toughness – as a racehorse and as a stallion. As the racing world has seen over the past 15 years, he passed those qualities on to his progeny.
“He contended with a range of health issues over recent years and did so with fortitude and resilience. It’s a tough day for us saying goodbye to him. This is an appropriate time to thank our team of stallion personnel and support professionals who cared for him so well and so kindly throughout his time here at Kildangan Stud.”
