New Sire Power For Yeomanstown Stud
Shaman represents the first of his sire line to stand at Yeomanstown Stud, being a son of the late Shamardal. The Group 2 winner and Classic-placed 3-year-old was raced by his owner/breeders Wertheimer et Frere, and Robert O’Callaghan of Yeomanstown tells TDN why he is an exciting acquisition for the Irish stud.
TDN: Robert, Shaman is the first son of Shamardal to stand at Yeomanstown Stud. Why was it important for you to have a son of his join the roster?
ROC: Shamardal has been such a sensational sire for a number of years and obviously has some very good sire sons like Lope de Vega. We have been trying hard for a number of years to acquire a son of Shamardal, but it hasn’t been easy. That’s why we are extremely excited to get Shaman. The sire line is just so prolific.
TDN: He was a sound, tough racehorse. What were some of his best races?
ROC: He was a top-class performer at two, three and four. He won his debut at two and was third in a Group 3 before running a credible race in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. As a 3-year-old Shaman won two Guineas trials, including the G3 Prix la Force. That was when he really caught our attention. He went on to finish second in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains which is a real stallion-making race behind Persian King. It was a huge turning point and really made us try hard to acquire the horse. At four, he got even better again, with a win in the G2 Prix d’Harcourt, beating future Arc winner Sottsass. He was a very consistent racehorse, running at the highest level and running with credit in every race.
TDN: How has he settled in at Yeomanstown and what can you tell us about his conformation?
ROC: He is settling in great and he is so easy to deal with. He hasn’t put a foot wrong since he came, nothing fazes him. He’s getting to know his new stablemates, Dark Angel, Camacho, El Kabeir and Invincible Army. He walks like a pure champion and he is a beautiful-looking horse. He’s just shy of 16.2hh. He is very correct, has a great shape and great hindquarter to him. If he breeds them like himself, it will make life very easy for us.
TDN: How do you think he fits into the Irish stallion ranks?
ROC: I think he fits in very well to the Irish stallion ranks. He is well priced at €6,000 which gives all breeders a chance to use him. Everyone loves Shamardal and wants to use a son of his and add to that Shaman’s exceptional pedigree and I think he is probably Shamardal’s best value son out there.
TDN: What support have you had from breeders so far?
ROC: He has been going down really well. There are a lot of breeders across Europe keen to use him, with a lot of French breeders booking nominations to him already. A number of high-profile Irish breeders have bought breeding rights in the horse and they’re all very excited to use him. We have a strong broodmare band here too and we will support him strongly with some good mares.
We have acquired a few more mares from the sales in the last couple of weeks which will visit him also. Wertheimer et Frere have kept a percentage in the horse and will support him. They’ve got some of the best broodmares in the world and it is a huge advantage for a young stallion going to stud to have their support. Naturally, we are very excited for the season ahead.
WATCH TDN New Stallions, Shaman (Media Credit: Alayna Cullen, TDN)
