Ghurra (War Chant), the pride of Mark and Aisling Gittins' Castlefarm Stud, foaled a full-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Shalaa (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) at Granham Farm early on Wednesday morning.
“We sent Ghurra over to England as she is due to be covered by Dubawi (Ire) and we're absolutely delighted to have a full-sister to Shalaa. We also have a half-sister by High Chaparral (Ire) in the early stages of training and she will go into training with Karl Burke before the summer,” said Aisling Gittins.
Shalaa, the champion British 2-year-old of 2015, won six of his eight starts including the G1 Darley Prix Morny and G1 Juddmonte Middle Park S. He is now standing his first season at Al Shaqab's Haras de Bouquetot in Normandy and will be receiving two of the Castlefarm Stud mares this year––Rakiza (Ire) (Elnadim), the dam of Listed-placed Exactement (Ire) (Speightstown), and Las Brisas (GB) (Shamardal), a half-sister to Listed winner Nantyglo (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}) from the top-class family of Cerulean Sky (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) and Moonstone (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}).
Liam and Jenny Norris, who pinhooked Shalaa as a foal from Castlefarm Stud, were thrilled to welcome his sister to their farm in Marlborough.
“We were honoured that Mark and Aisling entrusted us with Ghurra to foal,” said Jenny Norris. “She kept us waiting a bit as she was due to foal on February 6 but she has produced a well-marked filly with real quality. Naturally we all hope the filly ends up being as good as her brother.”
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