Gherdaiya

Full sister to Shamardal's multiple Group winner French Navy impresses on debut at Deauville

Purchased for €720,000 at last year's Arqana August Yearling Sale, Gherdaiya (Shamardal">Shamardal) was sent off as odds-on favourite to make a successful racecourse debut. The Andre Fabre-trained filly certainly didn't disappoint as she settled beautifully in second place before responding brilliantly once entering the home turn and winning very comfortably by two lengths. Bred by Eric Puerari, Oceanic Bloodstock and Haras de Saint Pair, she is out of the Stakes-winning Woodman mare First Fleet, which of course makes her a half-sister to Godolphin's magnificent campaigner French Navy.