Another Promising Winner for Merchant Navy

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable produced a new winner for Merchant Navy on Friday with promising Calico Jack (3g Merchant Navy x Shrill, by Shamardal) saluting at Cranbourne.

Placed at his first two runs back from a spell following a debut sixth in the Group III ATC Breeders Plate last spring, Calico Jack was strong to the line beating the short priced Godolphin favourite Legio Ten.

Calico Jack was a $425,000 Magic Millions purchase for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the Cressfield draft and is the first winner for stakes-placed Shamardal import Shrill (GB), a half-sister to Group II winners Silkwood, Silent Honor and to the dam of dual Group I winner Old Persian.

Shrill has a yearling colt by Merchant Navy and a two year-old colt by Fastnet Rock that is entered for the Magic Millions 2YO’s in Training Sale as Lot 122.

Calico Jack is the second winner in two days for Merchant Navy following on from Drop the Verse, who scored at Ballarat on Thursday.

Merchant Navy stands at Coolmore this spring at a fee of $27,500.