The Shamardal sireline received another shot-in-the-arm when Puissance De Lune won the LR Bendigo Cup (2400m) on Wednesday.  His name is French for ‘Moon Power’ and he bolted in by 8 lengths from Practiced (Encosta De Lago) and Fiumicino (Zabeel).

Puissance De Lune (4h Shamardal – Princess Serena by Unbridled’s Song) will now head to the G3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) on at Flemington on November 10.  “A win there will qualify him for next year’s Melbourne Cup,” trainer Darren Weir said.  “I guess that’s the dream but we’re not looking that far ahead just yet.”

Owner Gerry Ryan has tasted Melbourne Cup success with Americain and he sourced the Bendigo Cup winner for 90,000 euros at the 2011 Arqana Arc Sale last October.

Ryan hasn’t made any decision about future stud plans for Americain (Dynaformer) who is the current $5.50 favourite to double up in the Melbourne Cup next Tuesday.  And now he will be fielding offers from studmasters keen to stand his latest stakes winner.

Shamardal has two sons at stud in Australia – Raheen Stud stands G1 Epsom Hcp winner Captain Sonador in Queensland and Patinack Farm has French classic colt Lope De Vega based at its Hunter Valley headquarters.

Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway) has sired 317 winners at a 67% strike-rate and his first-crop are only six year-olds.  Australian bred Shamardals are thin on the ground.  Darley shuttled him here for five years until 2009 but his last two seasons were comprised by a withers injury.

Shamardal has now sired 43 stakes winners.  His latest was bred by Roundhill Stud in Co. Limerick and is from a winning half sister to G2 winner Doubles Partner (Rock Hard Ten).  His second dam is a sister to Champion USA 3YO Filly Serena’s Song.

Puissance De Lune has a 2yo brother named Majesty in training with Sir Henry Cecil.  Still unraced, he cost 110,000 guineas at the 2011 Tattersalls October yearling sale.

– Karl Patterson

PUISSANCE DE LUNE
Bendigo Cup winner by Shamardal