Premier sire

Shamardal sired a new Stakes winner on Sunday June 14 when his son Secret Sham won the local G3 Premier Cup over seven furlongs at Sha Tin. An Australian-bred, Secret Sham started his career in his native country before switching to Hong Kong, where he has won seven on his 26 starts with earnings in excess of €750,000.

Bred by Mr J L Thompson, Secret Sham is one of five winners bred out of the seven-time winning Rivotious mare Confidential Miss.

Secret Sham becomes Shamardal’s 15th Stakes winner of the year, with his fellow Hong Kong star, Able Friend, heading to Royal Ascot on Tuesday to take in a high-class renewal of the G1 Queen Anne Stakes. In what could be a timely boost for his form, Able Friend has beaten Secret Sham on each and every occasion they have met, a total of eight races spanning two seasons.