Dual Group 1-winning son of Shamardal Darley’s Irish roster

Dual Group 1 winner Earthlight (Shamardal) has been retired and will take up stud duties at Darley’s Kildangan Stud in Ireland for 2020. 

Trained by Andre Fabre, the son of Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway) was unbeaten in five starts as a two-year-old, culminating in a victory in the Prix Morny (Gr 1, 1200m), before taking out the Middle Park Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) at Newmarket on his final start as a juvenile.

He opened his account as a three-year-old with a win in the Prix Kistena (Listed, 1200m), before surrendering his unbeaten record in the Prix Maurice de Gheest (Gr 1, 1300m). He then regained his winning thread in the Prix du Pin (Gr 3, 1400m) and finished second behind multiple Group 1-winning mare One Master (Fastnet Rock) in the Prix de la Foret (Gr 1, 1400m), which proved to be his final start.  

“We are delighted to be able to offer Earthlight to breeders in Ireland next year,” said Sam Bullard director of stallions. 

“During his unbeaten juvenile campaign, Earthlight’s victories in the Group 1 Darley Prix Morny and Group 1 Middle Park were truly outstanding and his Champion status at the end of that year was very well deserved.

“The loss of Shamardal in April left a big hole in the roster, but we are confident that his sons, Earthlight and Blue Point, will continue his legacy admirably in Ireland.”

Earthlight becomes the second Group 1-winning son of the late Darley stallion to join their roster for the 2021, with the operation announcing last week that Pinatubo would stand at their Dalham Hall base in Newmarket.

Earthlight is the only winner out of Fillies' Mile (Gr 1, 1m) placegetter Winters Moon (New Approach), who is herself a daughter of Group 3 winner Summertime Legacy (Darshaan). 

Summertime Legacy herself is also the dam of Criterium de Saint-Cloud (Gr 1, 2000m) winner Mandaean (Manduro) and Wavering (Refuse To Bend), who landed the Prix Saint-Alary (Gr 1, 2000m) in 2011. 

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