Wed 1st Oct 2003

NAYEF will stand at the Nunnery stud

It has been announced by Shadwell Stud that NAYEF will stand at the Nunnery stud in 2004. NAYEF will join GREEN DESERT, SAKHEE, ACT ONE and fellow new recruit STORMING HOME.

NAYEF will be the last of the line of sons of HEIGHT OF FASHION to stand at the Nunnery Stud, NASHWAN and UNFUWAIN having been there for their entire careers, up until their untimely deaths last year.

NAYEF proved himself a tough and consistent campaigner. He ran a total of 19 times in a career spanning 4 seasons, winning 9 times. He was unbeaten as a two-year old earning the position of Timeform Top rated two-year-old on a mark of 123. The climax of his three-year-old campaign was winning the Dubai Champion Stakes (G1) beating TOBOUGG and INDIAN CREEK. That winter he took the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), before returning to the UK where the highlight of his four-year-old year was victory in the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) at York. That day he beat GOLAN and NOVERRE, in a race which epitomized the tough, resilient streak that shone throughout his career.

This year NAYEF put up what was perhaps his finest performance when accounting for a high-class field in the Prince of Wales' Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot. Behind him that day were the likes of FALBRAV, ISLINGTON, GRANDERA and MOON BALLAD.

Angus Gold, racing manager to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, comments, "NAYEF is one of the toughest and most genuine horses I have ever come across. He raced for four seasons, winning twice at two years of age, and going on to Group 1 successes in each of the following three seasons. He really is an outstanding athlete, beautifully balanced and thoroughly consistent."

Shadwell's close association with the HEIGHT OF FASHION family means that NAYEF's arrival will mean a great deal to all involved with the stud. Richard Lancaster, Stud Director, said, "It is wonderful news that NAYEF is coming to Shadwell. NASHWAN and UNFUWAIN were of course great favorites and to continue our association with the family is exciting for everyone. I am sure NAYEF will prove a very popular stallion. His career speaks for itself; he has been a top performer over 4 seasons and has not missed a day's training throughout his career. He should appeal to breeders who are looking for a sound and consistent 10f performer."

NAYEF and STORMING HOME will enhance the impressive line up of stallions at the Nunnery for 2004. Their fees will be announced shortly.

Richard Lancaster also announced that MUHTARRAM will be moving to Beechwood Grange stud in Yorkshire for the 2004 season. "We feel that MUHTARRAM will get the best of opportunities standing at Beechwood Grange, where Steve Knowles runs a first class operation and has done extremely well for us with ELMAAMUL."