Group Winner and Sire Kheleyf Dies at Age 20
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Photo: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
Kheleyf captures a 2003 conditions race at Doncaster Racecourse
Kheleyf, the winner of the 2004 Jersey Stakes (G3) and sire of a handful of group winners from stints around Europe, has died at the age of 20.
The son of Green Desert had been most recently standing at Haras des Faunes near Bordeaux, France, whose supremo Alain Chopard confirmed the news with French media outlet Jour de Galop.
Bred in the United States by Darley and first seen with Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum and 2-year-old maestro David Loder, Kheleyf was out of the Mr. Prospector mare Society Lady.
His sister Bint Allayl was an exceptional juvenile for Mick Channon, winning both the Queen Mary Stakes (G3) and the Peugeot Lowther Stakes (G2) in her sole season on the track. Society Lady also produced Laa Rayb, a group 3-winning miler for Mark Johnston.
Kheleyf himself was second in the Norfolk Stakes (G3) as a juvenile at Royal Ascot and landed a conditions event at Doncaster in Loder's care before being transferred to the barn of Saeed bin Suroor. As a 3-year-old, he placed third in the Betfair Cup (G2) at Goodwood Racecourse in addition to his Jersey Stakes triumph.
After retiring with a record of three wins from nine starts, Kheleyf stood at Kildangan Stud, serving six seasons in Ireland before four more at Dalham Hall, also shuttling to Australia before moving to Haras des Faunes for the 2015 season.
Kheleyf has had some decent-sized crops through the years and has already fielded more than 900 runners on the track and 566 worldwide winners to date.
Sayif wins the 2009 Diadem Stakes at Ascot Racecourse
His best on ratings, and among two group 2 winners so far, has been the group 2 winner and group 1-placed Sayif . An earner of US$412,411 on the track, Sayif went on to a career as a stallion himself, with his best runner being the classy sprint handicapper Gulliver.
Kheleyf's other progeny of note include Haras du Hoguenet resident Penny's Picnic , who took three black-type races in France as a 2-year-old, and the elite Italian sprinters Trust You and Plusquemavie.
He arguably made his greatest impact as a broodmare sire, with his daughters responsible for producing group 1-winning juvenile and classic-placed Tiggy Wiggy (Kodiac ), and 2018 Qatar Prix Jean Prat (G1) hero Intellogent (Intello ).
Most recently standing for a fee of €1,800, Kheleyf recently clinched his 22nd stakes winner when consistent filly Keyflower took the Prix Occitanie Sept. 4.