Sixth G1 winner for Shamardal

Four-year-old Crackerjack King became the sixth individual Group One winner for his sire Shamardal when landing the Premio Presidente Della Repubblica in Rome on Sunday, with Dubawi’s five-year-old son Afsare finishing runner-up.

Winner of last year’s G2 Derby Italiano, Crackerjack King was bred by Azienda Agricola Allevamento Deni from the talented Barathea broodmare Claba di San Jore, whose stakes-winning produce also include fellow Group One winners Awelmarduk and Jakkalberry, by Darley Japan stallion Storming Home.

The grey Crackerjack King, who is trained in Italy by Endo Botti, has only been beaten once in six starts and also won the Listed Prix Campbello at two.

Shamardal, whose son Amaron finished third in Sunday’s G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains, is also the sire of dual French Classic hero Lope De Vega, and top-level winners Zazou, Faint Perfume, Captain Sonador and Casamento.