Shakespearean became the second northern-hemisphere stakes winner for Darley sire Shamardal when he landed the G3 Solario Stakes at Sandown in England on Saturday.

Shakespearean (2c Shamardal – Paimpolaise by Priolo) is trained by Mark Johnston for Sheikh Hamdan and follows Arctic who was a Listed winner of the Grangecon Stud Stakes in Ireland earlier this month.

Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway) was a G1 winner of the Dewhurst Stakes at two when prepared by Johnston.  He returned at three to claim the French 2000 Guineas and French Derby as well as the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

He has already sired 10 winners in his first northern crop to go along with 12 winners among his initial Australian juveniles in 2008-09.

Shakespearean made all the running to win the Solario at his fourth start.  He was successful on debut in a Haydock Park maiden in May and followed up with a fifth in the LR Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot and a third in the G2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket.  He was bred at Caherass Stud in County Limerick and is out of a half-sister to French G3 winner Pont-Aven.  She is the dam of leading sire Josr Algarhoud.

John Ferguson purchased Shakespearean for 80,000 euros at the 2008 Goffs Million Sale.  The Solario winner will be set for Goffs Million Mile or Goffs Million Sprint next month.  He is also nominated for the G1 Dewhurst Stakes and G1 Racing Post Trophy in October.

Shamardal is available at Darley Australia for a $27,500 (inc gst) fee this year.