Shamardal sires his 18th Stakes winner of the year

The 2012 flat season may be drawing to a close, but there are still Black type races to be won and on 6 November, three-year-old Shamardal filly Azeville provided her sire with his 18th Stakes winner of the year when landing the Listed Prix Isola Bella at Chantilly.

Winning the one-mile contest by a neck from Minakshi, Azeville was recording her fourth career victory. She has also been Listed-placed previously, having finished second in the Prix Aymeri de Mauleon.

Bred by Gestut Zoppenbroich, Azeville is out of the Stakes-winning, G3-placed Kendor mare At Once, a half-sister to two further Black type performers.

Shamardal, who has made the best start at stud of any Irish stallion since the Pattern began with 44 Group or Listed winners, has enjoyed an outstanding year with three G1 winners among his talented offspring. He has also sired no fewer than five Stakes-performing juveniles this year.