With five sons at stud in Australia this spring, Shamardal is a sire that holds a lot of interest in this part of the world and he delivered a new Group I winner overnight with Emaraaty Ana taking out the Group I Haydock Sprint Cup (6f).
A five year-old gelding trained by Kevin Ryan, Emaraaty Ana was a last start second in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York and upped the ante to win this prestigious sprint by a short head over race favourite Starman (Dutch Art).
Already a Group II winner, Emaraaty Ana has the overall record of five wins and seven placings from 19 starts and seems to have benefitted from a wind operation at the end of last year..
“Emaraaty Ana is as good a horse as I've ever trained. His work in the morning is brilliant,” said - Kevin Ryan.
“I think there's a fair chance he's the right horse for America. He can travel and fast ground won't worry him I have to talk to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid but I think he's tailor-made for the Breeders' Cup this year.”
Emaraaty Ana is the best of three winners from stakes-winning Cape Cross mare Spirit of Dubai, a half-sister to Group III winner Trumbaka.
He is the 27th Group I winner worldwide for Shamardal, whose five sons at stud in Australia are Group I winners Blue Point (IRE), Earthlight (IRE), Crackerjack King (IRE) as well as Group II winner Puissance de Lune (IRE) and WA based Gingerbread Man.
