Double for Decorated Knight as Shahnaz scores easily
15 July 2022
Shahnaz: pictured as a yearling, she became the latest multiple winner for Decorated Knight on Friday. Photo – Tinnakill House
No sooner had the dust settled on Zain Nights‘ impressive win at Newbury on Friday, then it was the turn of Shahnaz to shine with a wide-margin victory in the extended mile handicap at Hamilton.
Previously successful over course and distance in early June, Shahnaz was bounced out by Laura Coughlan and although briefly headed once the tempo quickened, she kept finding to score with plenty in hand for trainer Gemma Tutty.
“She did that really nicely,” said Laura Coughlan, celebrating her first winner at the track. “She has a nice, genuine attitude. We were slightly concerned about the ground as when she won here before it was softer but she skipped away on it.
“I gave her a bit of a squeeze three furlongs out and she kept galloping all the way to the line. The plan was to sit handy and make the running, and she’s made it look easy.”
Owned by Maximum Racing, Shahnaz was bred by Dermot and Meta Cantillon’s Tinnakill Bloodstock in Ireland but possesses strong Blue Diamond connections as a daughter of Fol O’Yasmine, a Dubawi half-sister to high-class sprinter Sayif who was bred here at the stud. She is the second foal out of her dam, who carried our colours to victory at Yarmouth.
Shahnaz is one of 17 winners for Decorated Knight out of a first crop that numbers 39 named foals. In addition to Shahnaz and Zain Nights, the list includes two-time winner Damaar and the exciting Kind Gesture, both bred by Blue Diamond Stud.
Danish 2,000 Guineas winner Charming Knight, the well-regarded Knight Of Honour and dual scorer Knightlaila are also member of his first crop while his sole 2yo runner out of his second crop is Ferrari Queen, who earned quotes of 33/1 following her impressive debut success at Doncaster.
Decorated Knight stands at the Irish National Stud.
