Trainer Saeed bin Suroor has paid tribute to top class stallion Shamardal after he died aged 18.
Unbeaten in all six of his turf starts, with a Group One treble in 2005, the smart Flat performer produced many top class winners in his retirement.
On the track, his big race haul included the French 2,000 Guineas, Prix du Jockey Club and the St James's Palace Stakes.
Connections called it a day soon after when the son of Giant's Causeway chipped a bone in his ankle and missed taking on Derby winner Motivator in the Coral Eclipse.
At stud, his greatest performer to date was 2,000 Guineas favourite Pinatubo.
Bin Suroor, who trained Shamardal at three, said: “He was a Champion two-year-old and became one of Godolphin’s best horses, winning two Classics in France as well as the St James’s Palace Stakes.
“He went on to establish himself as a top sire, producing exceptional horses throughout the world, and everyone is going to miss him.
"It is a sad day but I am sure that his progeny will continue his legacy both on the racecourse and in the breeding sheds.”
Based at Kildangan Stud in Ireland, Shamardal produced 25 individual Group One winners, including Blue Point, Able Friend and Mukhadram.
He began his career in 2004 with trainer Mark Johnston.
In recent years he battled health issues after spending more than a decade on the Darley stallion roster.
