Confirmation that Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum’s Shadwell operation will disperse its bloodstock holdings in Australia.
The move will see Shadwell’s Australian yearlings offered at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in April and the foals and broodmares offered at public auction at the Magic Millions National Sale series in late May and early June this year.
Shadwell has enjoyed great success in Australia, dating back 35 years to when At Talaq (Roberto) carried the famous blue and white silks to success in the Gr1 Melbourne Cup.
The operation’s first Australian-bred Gr.1 winner came when Mahaasin (Biscay) won the Blue Diamond Stakes and since then numerous top performers have triumphed for Shadwell in Australia and New Zealand.
“Sheikh Hamdan has had a long and successful involvement in Australia, initially thanks to his close friendship with Colin Hayes and subsequently with his son David when he took over the licence,” Shadwell’s Racing Manager Angus Gold said in statement.
“During that time, and from initially small numbers of horses in training, champions such as At Talaq, Almaarad, Zabeel and Jeune, together with Gr1 winners Azzaam, Fraar, Istidaad, Tawqeet, Rewaaya and Qafila have raced in his world famous colours.
“However, as those who know him will attest, Sheikh Hamdan is very much a ‘hands on’ man who likes to be closely involved with the Shadwell horses, and due to his commitments in the UAE he has not been able to devote as much time as he would like to following their horses in Australia.
“As a result, and as part of a global review of the Shadwell operation, it has been decided to wind down its racing and breeding operations in the Southern Hemisphere over the next few months.”
The Shadwell Unreserved Dispersal of broodmares, foals and racing fillies during the National Sale will see 38 broodmares and fillies and 21 foals on offer.
The dispersal of breeding stock will be offered by the Mitchell family’s Yarraman Park Stud, where Shadwell has kept its broodmare band for over 20 years.