Runner-up on both his starts last year, Cordouan (Shalaa) powered clear in the closing stages to record an impressive victory for owner Sheikh Hamed Dalmook Al Maktoum and trainers John & Thady Gosden at Newcastle yesterday.
Bres by the Haras de Castillon in partnership with SCEA des Prairies, Jean-Michel Aimé et Audrey Leyval, this son of Shalaa was presented by Castillon at the 2019 Arqana Yearling Sale and was sold for €101,000 to Ciara Dunne.
He is the first foal out of Piler Lann (Le Havre), who was placed from 1500m-2200m and is a half-sister to the US Gr.2 Wise Dan Stakes winner Pleuven (Turtle Bowl), also a Listed winner in France, as well as the dam of the Listed juvenile winner Plegastell (Planteur).
The second dam is the once-raced Under Estimated (Singspiel), a half-sister to Golden Honor (Highest Honor), a ten-time winner, including at Listed level, the Gr.3-placed Handsome Maestro (Dansili) who won eight times, and the Listed-place duo Great Deal (Midyan) and Gionstra (Oasis Dream).
The third dam Graceful Bering (Bering) was placed at three.
Piler Lann delivered a full-brother to the winner this year and she also has a 2yo by Shalaa in training with Edouard Monfort.
Cordouan as a 2yo
