Lord Shanakill held off the late charge of Oiseau de Feu by a stubborn head to score his first group I victory in the Prix Jean Prat (Fr-I) at Chantilly July 5.
A tough and consistent colt who started eight times as a 2-year-old last season, Lord Shanakill became the first group I winner for his sire, North American sprint champion Speightstown .
Jockey Jim Crowley settled Lord Shanakill into second and was content to track the pacesetting Milanais through the first six furlongs of the one mile event. As the field of nine entered the home straight, Crowley put Lord Shanakill under a strong drive, and the pair had just enough to hold off a hard-charging Oiseau de Feu for the victory.
Irian got up for third, just a half-length behind Oiseau de Feu. Final time for the eight furlongs was 1:38.90 over the good turf course.
The Prix Jean Prat also marked the first group I win for trainer Karl Burke, who conditions Lord Shanakill for owners Mogeely Stud and Mrs. P. V. Gittins. Burke mentioned both the Prix du Haras de Fresnay le Buffard Jacques Le Marois (Fr-I) or the Sussex Stakes (Eng-I) as possible starts for his 3-year-old charge.
Lord Shanakill is the first foal out of the unraced Theatrical mare, Green Room. He hails from the immediate female family of grade I winners Spanish Fern and Heatseeker, and Irish classic winner Al Bahathri.