Shamardal wins the St James Palace Stakes in style

[MillyMix]

Super Shamardal a Palace jewel

by PA Sport Staff


SHAMARDAL ran away with the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot at York this afternoon.

Kerrin McEvoy had the Godolphin colt out in front on leaving the stalls and gradually wound up the pace down the home straight.

His rivals were unable to stay with him and the 7-4 favourite powered home to beat the fast-finishing Ad Valorem and Oratorio by three lengths and one and three-quarter lengths.

Shamardal only got the go-ahead to take his chance earlier in the afternoon when Godolphinwithdrew Vodafone Derby third Dubawi due to the fast ground.

The Giant's Causeway colt proved a more than able substitute, though, as he was always in command and had most of his rivals off the bridle two furlongs from home.

His victory in the Group 1 race means the three-year-old is now unbeaten in all his six races on turf, having landed the French 2,000 Guineas and French Derby this term.

Indesatchel appeared to be the main danger to Shamardal, having finished a head behind him inthe French Guineas, but he boiled over in the preliminaries and finished well down the field.

Last season's Middle Park winner Ad Valorem ran a blinder on his first try at a mile, coming from last to lead home a two-three for Aidan O'Brien, with Oratorio also running on from the rear.

"He's a great horse. It's only nine days since he ran last time in his last Classic in France," Bin Suroor told BBC Sport.

"We decided to run today after we saw the going - he can go on any ground. He'svery tough and these tactics were the best.

"Kerrin McEvoy is the best jockey after Frankie (Dettori)."

Sheikh Mohammed added: "If there had been rain then we could have run Dubawi.

"Dubawi will next run when he has his ground. He could go to France for the Jacques Le Marois, while this horse could go to the Eclipse.

"He is a tough horse, like his sire. I think that he could beat Motivator there. Motivator is a great horse over a mile and a half, but I think that we can beat him over a mile and a quarter.

"It would be a great race, which I love, and it is great for people to see."

McEvoy said: "It was amazing. I thought he'd run well but I didn't think he'd win like that - he really quickened up well and put it beyond doubt at the two.

"He got a little bit sweated up before the start. He was a little bit keen to post, but not bad.

"I was glad he settled early. I saw a horse come to my girths three furlongs down then he just quickened away, so I was pretty happy by the two pole.

"I looked at the big screen on my left and saw there was no horse within five lengths of me and in the end I never even gave him a smack with the stick, so it was great.

"He's shown that he's tough and versatile. It's great to see him bounce back after his bad run in Dubai in March.

"He was champion two-year-old last year and it's great to be associated with a horse like him.

"I always thought Shamardal was an easy horse to ride and less complicated, so I'm glad that Sheikh Mohammed decided to run him instead of Dubawi.

"It's tough for Frankie, but I suppose that's where being number two has its plusses.

"I won the St Leger last year when Frankie was away and now this. It's bad luck for Frankie, but he's helped me tremendously since I've been associated with Godolphin."

Ad Valorem's jockey Mick Kinane said: "He just stumbled coming out of the gates and put me a little back, but then he picked up well and ran on nice."

Kieren Fallon, who rode Oratorio, added: "He makes it hard work for me. He faced the visor all right. He's just one of those laid-back little horses, and over a mile and a quarter I wouldn't be worried about the winner."

O'Brien said of Ad Valorem: "He ran a lovely race - I am delighted with his run."

He added of Oratorio: "He has a great constitution and takes his races very well. He is a hardy horse and I think he will improve with the more racing he gets.

"Ad Valorem looked like he was coming home really well and he should get a mile, while Oratorio wouldn't mind stepping up to a mile and a quarter, but probably wouldn't go to a mile and half any more."

[StrawberryFelidos]

Does everybody realize that he won off of NINE days' rest? NINE?!!!!!!!!
NINE!
Imagine that for one of our American TB stars

[erins isle]

It's what sheikh Mohammed said: "He looks like his sire, who was also such a tough horse, who became better and better with racing."
Anyway, it was a pleasure to watch this horse run. Plans are there that he will meet Motivator in the Eclipse. It's something to look forward to.

[Playwithfire]

Its somewhat of a shame he ran poorly in Dubai as it seemed like he might have been shipped to Kentucky for the Derby. Seems like the world's best 3yos certainly hail from Europe in Shamardal and Motivator. If Afleet Alex ever tries and takes to the turf, there could be a great race in the making, Breeders Cup 2006.

[Ruffian]

He has won 3 group 1's (his only races) I believe within thirty days... pretty impressive- now he is going to the Eclipse to face Motivator- that'll be one heck of a race!

[BenB]

I am taking off, when that race is on, no matter where I am.
Would be THE RACE for europeans in 2005.

Ben

[louis finochio]

To be or not to be, thats what we will find out when Shamardal meets Motivator.

This is what racing is all about as I believe in let the horses do the talking, then we can vote on who is who in the year end polls.

It will be the race of the year between the colts, but what about Divine Proportions will she have her say in the year end polls?

[Elusive City]

[quote="louis finochio"]To be or not to be, thats what we will find out when Shamardal meets Motivator.

This is what racing is all about as I believe in let the horses do the talking, then we can vote on who is who in the year end polls.

It will be the race of the year between the colts, but what about Divine Proportions will she have her say in the year end polls?[/quote]

Motivator will eat the sham for lunch going 12. No contest.
The only reason Shamardal won the French Derby was that it was shortened. Going 12F Hurricane run would be a better race than 10F Shamardal.

[BJ]

Its somewhat of a shame he ran poorly in Dubai as it seemed like he might have been shipped to Kentucky for the Derby. Seems like the world's best 3yos certainly hail from Europe in Shamardal and Motivator. If Afleet Alex ever tries and takes to the turf, there could be a great race in the making, Breeders Cup 2006.

Hey...I'm just glad he survived to race another day. So many don't race well after Dubai!