Earthlight

Pedigree notes

Early maturity combined with high-class speed is a combination that is one of the most reliable determinants of sire success. This applies particularly in Australia, look no further than the Golden Slipper to confirm the validity of this concept. Australian racing was revolutionised by another brilliantly fast chestnut two-year-old called Star Kingdom who sired the first Golden Slipper winner, Todman.

Earthlight’s appearance resembles that of Shamardal’s outstanding sire-son Lope de Vega, but more significantly his race videos show that he had a wonderful temperament as well as a high cruising speed. He was able to travel just behind the leaders in the best company, without pulling, then produce a decisive burst of acceleration at the rider’s command, admirable qualities which he can pass on to his offspring.

Earthlight’s sire Shamardal and his son Lope de Vega have clearly demonstrated that this sire line is well-suited to Australian conditions.

G1 Statistics
Shamardal has sired 27 G1 winners worldwide, including five in Australia. All five in Australia and 14 out of 27 have a return of Sir Gaylord or his half-brother in the mare. The Sir Gaylord sire line is prolific in Australia via Sir Tristram, Zabeel, Octagonal, Lonhro, Pierro, Savabeel, etc. Shamardal’s son Lope de Vega has sired two of his four Australian G1 winners from just 14 runners out of mares by Danehill’s son Fastnet Rock.

Best Nicks
Shamardal’s most successful nicking stats are with mares from the major broodmare sire lines of Mr Prospector, Sadler’s Wells and Danehill. Lope de Vega has similarly good results with mares from those broodmare sire lines. Shamardal is a grandson of Storm Cat and the Storm Cat/Mr Prospector crosses and reverse crosses have been some of the most successful in contemporary pedigrees.

Inbreeding / Linebreeding options
Earthlight’s sire Shamardal is out of a full sister to leading sire Street Cry whose dam is the influential mare Helen Street. Inbreeding to Helen Street has resulted in over 11% Stakes performers to runners with Darley’s multiple G1 winner Victor Ludorum the star act. Inbreeding to Helen Street using mares by Street Cry and sons is an appealing strategy. The broodmare sires in Earthlight’s female line are in turn by the important broodmare influences Galileo, Darshaan and El Gran Senor. Inbreeding to their female lines presents some very interesting options for matings with Earthlight.

Strategy One
Inbreeding to Helen Street has already produced Darley’s undefeated two-year-old Victor Ludorum and can be achieved using mares by sires such as Street Cry, Street Boss, Pride Of Dubai, Hallowed Crown, Territories, or with mares whose dam or second dam is by any of those sires. The Street Cry lines also provide the successful Shamardal/Mr Prospector nick.

Strategy Two
Earthlight’s dam is by Galileo’s son New Approach and mares carrying Nureyev, the three-quarter brother to Sadler’s Wells, sire of Galileo, will provide inbreeding to the mare Special, one of the most successful nicks in modern pedigrees. Zabeel and his descendants Lonhro, Pierro and Savabeel are high-class sources of Nureyev blood.

Strategy Three
Earthlight's dam Winter’s Moon is bred on the record-breaking Sadler’s Wells/Shirley Heights cross which features inbreeding to the Blue Hen mare Lalun. This cross is successful in most variations of descendants of those two stallions, including the reverse crosses, and when another strain of either sire is added to the mix. More Lalun is never enough.

Strategy Four
Earthlight's third dam is by El Gran Senor whose dam Sex Appeal is a daughter of Blue Hen mare Best In Show. El Gran Senor’s full brother Try My Best is the sire of Last Tycoon. As a result, Best In Show is both the second dam of Last Tycoon and fourth dam of Redoute’s Choice, both champion Australian sires. Redoute’s Choice has had his best results with Last Tycoon mares and a similar pedigree pattern can be created by sending mares by Redoute’s Choice and sons, or Last Tycoon and his grandson, Written Tycoon, to Earthlight.

Strategy Five
Daughters of Fastnet Rock have produced two of the four Australian G1 winners by Shamardal’s son Lope de Vega. Mares by Fastnet Rock, his sons, or from his Danehill sire line are worthwhile options.