Shamardal’s son Cape Byron emulated his paternal half-brother Blue Point when landing the G3 Bengough Stakes at Ascot. The progressive five-year-old had already shown a liking for the straight Ascot course after victories in the Victoria Cup and Wokingham Handicap earlier in the season, and after cruising to the front, only had to be nudged along to record a two length victory.
Cape Byron is a son of the Stakes-placed Mark Of Esteem mare Reem Three, who is a half-sister to G2-winning miler Afsare. Reem Three is proving to be an exceptional mare with her progeny already including G1-winning heroine Ajman Princess (Teofilo), G2-winning miler Ostilio (New Approach) and G1-filly Imperial Charm (Dubawi).
Shamardal sired his second Stakes winner on the card when his daughter Di Fede made it back-to-back victories in the Listed October Stakes. She was never really troubled to beat Miss Celestial (Exceed And Excel) and Muchly (Iffraaj) by upwards of three quarters of a length.
Shamardal has been enjoying a superb 2019 with 17 Stakes winners. New Darley stallion Blue Point became the first horse to win three Royal Ascot G1 sprints back in June, wide-margin National Stakes hero Pinatubo is the best juvenile in Europe for 25 years, Earthlight has won two juvenile G1 contests and Castle Lady thrilled when taking the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.
