IT’S ALL LOOKING POSITIVE FOR PUISSANCE DE LUNE

Following his full sister, Princess De Lune’s, brilliant win on debut at Newbury in the UK, and his impressive first foals having now matured into sort-after weanlings, it is a great time to review the achievements of the stunning dappled grey son of Shamardal.

Puissance De Lune was an Irish-bred, French-imported galloper. A two-time Group 2 winner, and a two-time Group 1 runner up with eight wins, five seconds and three thirds in an top-class career of 22 starts for earnings of $897,495.

The striking grey stallion was purchased by Limerick Lane’s Gerry Ryan, with Bendigo Cup aspirations, in France for 80,000 euros. He delivered in dominating style, winning the Cup by eight lengths.

Responding beautifully to the patient training methods of Darren Weir, he rewarded connections again in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, winning by a commanding five lengths. A true professional, he had the natural ability to relax during the race, and conserve energy before unleashing pure power when asked.

The dashing grey then highlighted his versatility with dual Group 2 successes in the MRC Blamey Stakes and MRC PB Lawrence Stakes, before being runner up in both the Group 1 VRC Makybe Diva, and the VRC Turnbull Stakes.

In Puissance De Lune’s final campaign the following year, he earned three more Group 1 placings, with thirds against top class sprinters in the MRC Memsie Stakes and the VRC Makybe Diva Stakes, before his final run in the VRC Turnbull Stakes.

Puissance De Lune is the only Group-winning son of European champion Shamardal to stand at stud in Australia. A multiple Group 1 winner and successful shuttle stallion, Shamardal, a grandson of Storm Cat, produced Group 1 winners Faint Perfume, Maybe Discreet and Captain Sonador.

Puissance De Lune’s grey dam, Princess Serena, is by triple Group 1 winner Unbridled’s Song. A half sister to Serena’s Song, and producing the talented full sister, Princess De Lune, who we hope will emulate her big brother’s achievements on the track.

A true talent not often seen, Puissance De Lune’s ability was franked by the quality of the races he contended, and by the top-class opposition he was against. We possibly never saw the best of him throughout his career, and he is unlucky to not be a Group 1 winning stallion standing at stud.

Puissance De Lune showed his versatility by being highly competitive against the best sprinter-milers, whilst being considered one of the brilliant middle-distance gallopers of his time.

Puissance De Lune stands at Swettenham Stud in 2017 for $8,800 Inc. GST.

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