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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.

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