Outstanding two-year-old to stand at Dalham Stud

Brilliant two-year-old Pinatubo (Shamardal) has been retired and will take up stud duties at Darley’s Dalham Hall base in Newmarket in 2021.

Officially rated the best two-year-old in half a century, the Charlie Appleby-trained son of Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway) was unbeaten in six starts as a two-year-old, headed by victories in the National Stakes (Gr 1, 7f) and the Dewhurst Stakes (Gr 1, 7f), while he also landed the Chesham Stakes (Listed, 7f) and Vintage Stakes (Gr 2, 7f). 

Kept in training as a three-year-old, the colt finished third in the 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m), before running second in the St James's Palace Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) and added a third Group 1 victory to his CV in the Prix Jean Prat (Gr 1, 1400m).

Sam Bullard, director of stallions at Darley, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome a horse as exceptional as Pinatubo to the roster at Dalham Hall Stud.

“Last year, he carried all before him, most notably in the National Stakes which as we all know was a performance that cannot be matched by any other two-year-olds in the last quarter of a century.

“We were delighted to see him add a third Group 1 win to his superb record in the Prix Jean Prat and now look forward to him beginning his new career, where we’re confident he can continue Shamardal’s great legacy.”

The colt is out of Listed winner Lava Flow (Dalakhani), who is herself a daughter of Listed winner Mount Elbrus (Barathea). 

Under the colt’s third dam is Group 1 winner Rafha (Kris) - the dam of Invincible Spirit (Green Desert) and Group 3-winning pair Sadian (Shirley Heights) and Acts Of Grace. 

Further back, Pinatubo’s pedigree this year’s Prix du Jockey Club (Gr 1, 2100m) winner Mishriff (Make Believe), while dual Group 1 winner and now Coolmore Stud sire Pride Of Dubai (Street Cry) also features on the page.

A fee for Pinatubo will be announced at a later date.