Stallion Mutakddim dies in Argentina

Mutakddim, a Group 2-placed stakes winner and a prominent sire in North and South America, died at Haras La Quebrada in Buenos Aires, Argentina, due to the infirmities of old age, Racing Post reports. The Seeking the Gold horse was 23.

Bred in Kentucky by Deerlawn Farm, Carloss, and Lamont, Mutakddim was purchased by Sheikh Hamdan al-Maktoum’s Shadwell Estate Co. for $200,000 at the 1992 Keeneland July yearling sale. He was sent to Ireland for breaking, then was moved to England to begin his racing career.

Campaigning under the Shadwell colors for trainer John Gosden, Mutakddim won five of 17 starts racing in England and France, for earnings of $126,174. He earned group stakes placing in both countries, and won the listed Firsteel Group John of Jaunt Stakes in England.

Upon his retirement, Mutakddim was sent to the U.S. to begin his stallion career at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms in Lexington, Ky. He shuttled frequently to Haras de Quebrada for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season before settling at the farm permanently.

In total, Mutakddim has sired 15 crops of racing age with 108 black-type winners earning over $63 million. His leading Northern Hemisphere runners include Grade 1 winner Lady Tak, Grade/Group 3 winners Ravalo, Hattiesburg, and Breath of Love, and Mexican champions First Commando and Chipocludo The stallion’s list of successful Southern Hemisphere progeny features Argentine champions San Livinus and Claro Oscuro; Uruguyan champion Major Leader; and Ecudorian champion Essien.

Mutakddim’s final crop of U.S. runners are 2-year-olds of 2014. Racing Post reports that he covered 76 mares in Argentina last year.

Mutakddim is out of the winning Seattle Slew mare Oscillate, a product of the Phipps family breeding program, whose six winners from 10 foals to race also included Grade 1-placed Smooth Charmer. He was from the family of champion Rhythm, Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, Grade 1 winners Dance Number, Frost Giant, Bluegrass Cat and Girolamo, Grade/Group 2 winners Kavanagh, Daydreaming, and Lord of the Game and Grade/Group 3 winners Sea Chanter, Pacific Ocean, Oregon Lady, Playwright, Get Lucky, Imagining, Accelerator, and Brethren.