Shamardal Blood Highlights Crackerjack King

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday October 8
World renowned sire Shamardal has never been going better with three undefeated Group I winning two year-old colts in Europe this year for Godolphin and Victorian breeders have access to his bloodline this spring through not only promising sire Puissance de Lune (IRE), but also the Wyndholm Park based Crackerjack King (IRE).

Crackerjack KingA fast Group I winner with seven victories up to 2200 metres from 14 starts, Crackerjack King has more than a few things in common with Puissance de Lune in that both were high class weight-for-age middle distance horses and both have a rich female pedigree steeped in Black type.

With his oldest progeny just turned three, Puissance de Lune has been making news this week with his three year-old filly Moonlight Maid taking out the Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes last Saturday at Flemington.

Trained by Mitchell Freedman, Moonlight Maid is entered for the Group I VRC Oaks.

"She's right on track, she's a Group II winner out of a horse I've had a lot of thrills with, I've looked after the mother and the father as a foreman (for Darren Weir) and it's great to be able to train the progeny of them," said Mitchell Freedman.

Bred by Gerry Ryan's Limerick Lane Thoroughbreds, Moonlight Maid has the honour of being the first winner and first stakes-winner for Puissance de Lune, who also may have a Victoria Derby contender in Southern Moon.

A close second to Adelaide Ace at his previous start in the Victoria Derby Trial at Flemington last month over 1800 metres, the Mitchell Freedman trained colt relished the step out to 2000 metres at Donald on Tuesday, cruising home to win by two lengths as a short priced favourite.

Entered for the Group I VRC Victoria Derby, Southern Moon is clearly on an upswing and with nearly $50,000 in prizemoney is working his way towards a start in the rich staying race for three year-olds.

The oldest progeny of Crackerjack King have also turned three and from just four runners three have been placed, so it's only a matter of time before he too has winners on the board.

Priced at just $6,600, Crackerjack King stands at Wyndholm Park and is a value son of one of the world's best sires, who is now virtually a private sire for Sheikh Mohammed.

Shamardal is riding high this year as the sire of three undefeated Group I winning two year old colts in Europe for Godolphin in Pinatubo, Earthlight and Victor Ludorum, so his legacy as a sire of sires is set to stretch far into the future.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
He’s a Cracker!
A fast stayer with an exceptional pedigree by an outstanding shuttle sire in Shamardal, Crackerjack King (IRE) is all class and stands at Wyndholm Park Stud in Victoria this spring.
Sires With Winners - Monday November 4
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
Two heats at the Rosehill trials on Monday morning over 900m and the quickest of those was won by an expensive son of Golden Slipper winning first season sire Farnan.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.