Shamardal colt Arctic maintained his unbeaten record with an impressive victory on a heavy track in the G3 Tower Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

The Tracey Collins-trained colt cruised down the centre of the track under Pat Shanahan to score by more than four lengths over Ballydoyle runner Air Chief Marshall (Danehill Dancer).

Darley shuttler Shamardal has now sired two Group winners in his initial northern hemisphere crop.  He is also responsible for Shakespearean who won the G3 Solario Stakes at Sandown on August 22.

Arctic (2c Shamardal–Shawanni by Shareef Dancer) won a Bellewstown maiden in July before grabbing a Listed win in the Grangecon Stud Stakes at the Curragh later that month.  He earned a 33-1 quote with bookmakers for the 2010 English 2000 Guineas after stepping up to Group company yesterday.

“He’s entered everywhere and we won’t be afraid to go anywhere with him,” Collins said.  “He handles heavy ground but wants it better.  He’s a smart colt and is very relaxed at home.  I don’t think we’ll see his full potential until he gets good ground.”

Arctic was bred by Darley and is a half-brother to English stakes winners Shanty Star (Hector Protector) and Hinton Admiral (Spectrum).  He was a cheap 9,000 guineas buy at the 2008 Tattersalls October yearling sale.

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.

Shamardal sired 12 winners among his initial Australian juveniles in 2008-09.  He is available at Darley Australia for a $27,500 (inc gst) fee this year.