Shafaaf took the lead with just over a furlong to run and then held off the late challenge of Monty to win the Listed 100th Grand Prix de Bordeaux - 4th Etape du Defi du Galop at Bordeaux Le Bouscat by a neck on Saturday, 28 May.
The nine furlong contest marked the first Stakes victory for the four-year-old Medaglia d’Oro colt, who improved his record to five wins and three second-place finishes in nine career starts.
Breaking alertly out of the starting gate, Shafaaf was forwardly-placed by rider Cristian Demuro, as the pair sat just off the flank of pacesetting Falvio through the initial stages of the race. Demuro asked his mount for a little bit more two furlongs from the wire and Shafaaf responded, quickly moving alongside Falvio to challenge for the lead. Shafaaf then took command with just over a furlong to run and had plenty left to hold off the late-running Monty to win by a long neck.
Shafaaf was bred in Kentucky and races as a homebred for Shadwell Farm. He is one of seven winners out of Atayeb, a winning daughter of Rahy. Atayeb, a full sister to Stakes winner Rumoush, is also the dam of Algaith, a Stakes-placed son of Dubawi. Shafaaf’s second dam is the multiple Stakes winner, Sarayir, who herself is a daughter of champion and outstanding broodmare, Height of Fashion.
Medaglia d’Oro is the sire of 88 Group/Graded winners including 26 that have won at G1 level. Shafaaf joins such exciting prospects as Nostalgic, winner of the G3 Gazelle Stakes, Prevalence (G3 Commonwealth Stakes), Pennybaker (Heavenly Cause Stakes) and Mamounia (Listed Galilee Series Final) as recent 2022 Stakes winners, a list led by two-time Horse of the Year, Golden Sixty.
Medaglia d’Oro is standing the 2022 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $100,000, stands and nurses.
