Fri 6th Sept 2002

A new generation for Shadwell

Shadwell is delighted to confirm the news that SAKHEE is to be retired at the end of the season to stand alongside GREEN DESERT and fellow new recruit ACT ONE at it’s Nunnery Stud. Stud Director, Richard Lancaster, has issued the following statement: “When any stud looses a successful stallion it is a terrible blow. If it is followed closely by a second in the space of six months morale really does drop to its lowest ebb. This is what happened at Shadwell this year. UNFUWAIN died in January which was devastating, only for NASHWAN to follow in July. The sadness that prevailed around the place was hard to describe. They both had been highly successful racehorses, and when they retired to stud further success followed. NASHWAN, the1998 Derby winner and UNFUWAIN, the leading 3 year old of his generation, have both left offspring who will continue to influence the Shadwell breeding operation for years to come. This may be through their sons, SWAIN (by NASHWAN) and ALHAARTH (by UNFUWAIN), or their daughters who increasingly feature as dams of winners. GREEN DESERT, who was the original Shadwell resident, has been one of the most successful stallions in England in the last ten years. He will be joined by two exciting stallion prospects in 2003.

The announcement that SAKHEE will retire at the end of the season to take up stallion duties at the Nunnery will hopefully be greeted by British breeders with enthusiasm. A brilliant winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Group1) and the Juddmonte International (Group 1), SAKHEE’s winning distance in the former compared with that of such greats as RIBOT and SEA BIRD. In addition to SAKHEE there will be the recently syndicated ACT ONE, who was leading 2 year old in France in 2001, as well as being the winner of the Prix Lupin (Group1). He lost nothing in defeat when caught by Sulamani in the French Derby when they had drawn 5 lengths clear of their closest rivals.

These two top racehorses will now become the next generation of successful stallions to stand at Shadwell. They will create a base for the future in this increasingly competitive industry. Breeders are asked to contact Shadwell if they are interested in any of the Nunnery or Beech House stallions for 2003. My staff will be only too happy to give further information either about the stallions or the various boarding schemes we have available to mare owners. We would be delighted to hear from breeders who wish to view any of our stallions. Once the new stallions are available for viewing an announcement will be made. A notice will also go out once a fee has been decided for SAKHEE.”