Four-year-old Shamardal filly, Elle Shadow made the perfect start to her season on Thursday June 23, when winning her third race at G3 level in the Grosser Preis der Wirtschaft at Dortmund. She was a high-class three-year-old, winning three times at Stakes level and placing second in the G1 German Oaks and making her belated seasonal debut here, she was never in any danger, recording a three-and-a-half length victory.
Owned and bred by Gestut Wittekindshof, Elle Shadow comes from an outstanding family. Out of the superb mare Elle Danzig, who won 11 Group races including three at the highest level with a further two classic victories, Elle Shadow is also a half-sister to two Stakes winners in El Comodin and Elle Gala. Elle Danzig has also recently foaled a filly by fellow Darley stallion New Approach and has just been confirmed in foal again to Shamardal.
Shamardal is the sire of 15 Group winners including the multiple classic winner Lope de Vega, the G1-winning juvenile Casamento, Australian classic-winner Faint Perfume and Captain Sonador, winner of G1 Epsom Handicap. Last season in Europe he sired five Group-winning juveniles and you have to go back to Danehill in his pomp to find a stallion that can better that total.
