Mukhadram to Retire to Shadwell Stud in 2015
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Mukhadram, the 2014 Coral-Eclipse (Eng-I) winner, will be retired from racing at the end of the flat season and will stand at Shadwell Stud in 2015, it was announced Sept. 25.
The 190,000 guineas ($329,394 in U.S. funds) Tattersalls December foal sales purchase has paid Shadwell back in spades, winning just shy of £2 million in prize money. After consistently performing at the highest level, the 5-year-old son of Shamardal will take up his place as a stallion at the Nunnery Stud (Norfolk), alongside fellow group I winner Nayef and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) winner Sakhee.
In 2013 Mukhadram, out of the Timber Country mare Magic Tree, won both the Brigadier Gerard Stakes (Eng-III) and the York Stakes (Eng-II) as well as finishing second in the Prince of Wales's Stakes (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot, beaten just a neck by multiple group I winner Al Kazeem.
In 2014, Mukhadram scored an emphatic win over a field of nine in the Coral-Eclipse, beating group I winners The Fugue, Kingston Hill, War Command, Night of Thunder, and Trading Leather. Earlier in the year, he had showcased his power and determination with a stunning effort to finish second in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) at Meydan.
"Mukhadram was a hugely talented and courageous colt, a top class racehorse, blessed with a wonderful temperament," said his trainer, William Haggas. "He has the most gorgeous physique; a perfect specimen with a great outlook and natural, effortless stride. You will easily see why he has always been the apple of my eye."
Richard Lancaster, Shadwell's stud director, commented: "Mukhadram is a group I winner in the U.K. and has defeated a total of 49 stakes winners to date including 24 individual group I winners. He will also be the first son of Shamardal to stand in the U.K. and with his sire experiencing a real purple patch with 20 stakes winners in 2014 alone, Sheikh Hamdan felt now was the right time to retire him to stud.
"A fee has not yet been set for him, but our intention is to pitch him very fairly to attract the maximum number of mares and give him the best possible start to his stallion career."
Mukhadram is the second foal produced by his dam, a half sister to group I winner Kirklees and high class middle distance winner Mastery. She is granddaughter of high-class sprinter Cherokee Rose.
Retiring with five wins from 16 races, Mukhadram will be available to view at Beech House Stud throughout the Tattersalls December breeding stock sales.