Shadwell rolling with changes and losses
The international Shadwell Stables operation experienced a monumental loss this year as its founder, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al-Maktoum, died in March. But even as the powerhouse stable navigates that loss and evaluates its operations, it has continued to show the strength of Sheikh Hamdan’s program.
Shadwell will have Kentucky Oaks winner Malathaat as one of the prime contenders in this Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff. And a few weeks ago, Shadwell shone on another fall showcase program, with three winners on British Champions Day, including two homebred Group 1 winners.
“We got through the most difficult season for us so far, and we did it all for him,” said Sheikha Hissa Hamdan Al Maktoum, Sheikh Hamdan’s daughter, who has taken on a prominent leadership role with the stable. “It was my late father’s passion to own and breed horses, and he would’ve been overjoyed with two Group 1 wins in one day. So this is for him, and for the whole Shadwell and Derrinstown family.”
Shadwell’s British Champions victories came in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes with Baaeed; the Fillies and Mares Stakes with Eshaada; and the Balmoral Handicap with Aldaary. Baaeed, a grandson of Shadwell’s 2007 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf winner Lahudood, traces to Shadwell foundation mare Height of Fashion, as does Eshaada’s broodmare sire, Nayef.
“It goes all the way back to the foundations that Sheikh Hamdan laid 35 years ago when he bought Height of Fashion,” Shadwell’s Tom Pennington told the British press. “To see her still making such an impact on pedigrees is phenomenal.”
Malathaat, winner of the Kentucky Oaks, Alabama, and three other stakes, will seek to become the third Breeders’ Cup winner in Shadwell’s colors, joining 2006 Classic winner Invasor, Lahudood in 2007, and Tamarkuz in the 2016 Dirt Mile.
Shadwell has indicated that Malathaat is expected to remain in training in 2022 – and the operation’s U.S. broodmare band will look different by the time she eventually joins it.
Shadwell announced in September that it will conduct a wide-ranging review of operations that will lead to a streamlining of its holdings as it continues on. A number of homebred yearlings and horses in training will be sold, while the broodmare band will be reduced through dispersals at key auctions.
“The family wish to stress that they remain extremely passionate about the sport and, through the chairmanship of Sheikha Hissa, herself an accomplished horsewoman, are committed to ensuring that their father’s legacy endures for many years to come,” Shadwell’s statement read. “They intend to retain a significant number of homebred foals and will continue their global stallion operations.”
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Freshman sire Mohaymen will stand alone on Shadwell’s Kentucky roster for 2022, with the operation moving its two other Kentucky stallions to regional marketplaces where they’ll have a better chance to shine. Tamarkuz, whose oldest foals are 3, moves to Blue Ridge Farm in Louisiana. Qurbaan, who entered stud last year, heads to Indiana Stallion Station.