Success at Ballyragget on the final day of the shortened season for Poldark Cross, brought a fourth victory of the campaign for Shantou.
Each of those successes for the Burgage Stud resident stallion were recorded in the four and five-year-old age group, with the aforementioned Poldark Cross winning the five-year-old geldings’ maiden on the North Kilkenny Foxhounds card for handler Mick Goff.
A €16,000 purchase as a foal by the well-known producer of young stock Richard Frisby, the close relation of Willie Mullins’ prolific performer Holy Orders, ran out an 18-length winner on his third competitive outing.
His victory was the second in the five-year-old age group for Shantou during the season, following on from the autumn success of Willie Murphy’s Kilgorey at Dowth Hall in October.
With the likes of Bun Doran, Death Duty, Angels Breath and Run Wild Fred - all sons of Shantou that won their four-year-old maiden, going on to achieve notable success under rules, there is always a particular focus on his latest crop of four-year-old’s and this year was no different.
This season two of his four-year-old’s made it into the winner’s enclosure, with Minella Majestic successful at Ballindenisk and Do The Floss at Borris House in December.
The former, a €32,000 purchase as a foal, made a winning debut for John Nallen on his debut, with his success coming a week in advance of Do The Floss.
The latter-named son of Shantou, an own-brother of Zero Ten, an Inchydoney four-year-old winner who has progressed to record a Grade 3 success under rules for Emmet Mullins in March, got his head in front for Ellen Doyle on his third career outing.
The bay gelding returned home a distance clear of his other rivals in the 13 runner contest on the same afternoon that fellow Shantou-sired four-year-old Ardhill, finished a close second at Tattersalls Farm.
Out of a half-sister to Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Denman, the bay was subsequently snapped up by Gordon Elliott and Bloodstock Agent Mouse O’Ryan for £62,000.
Having been handled by Colin McKeever for Wilson Dennison, that combination previously had 2013 Champion Bumper winner Briar Hill through their hands, another notable son of Shantou.
