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| Staff Writer |
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Vandeek, the brilliant two-year-old sensation of 2023, has been retired from racing and will take up stud duties at Cheveley Park in 2025. The announcement comes after a partnership deal was struck between Cheveley Park Stud and the colt's current owners, KHK Racing.
The son of Havana Grey enjoyed an unblemished record as a juvenile, culminating in impressive victories in the Gr.1 Prix Morny at Deauville and the Gr.1 Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket. His explosive turn of foot set him apart from his peers, marking him as one of the most exciting prospects for the 2024 season.
Vandeek's three-year-old campaign, however, was marred by setbacks. Making only two appearances on the track, he finished third on both occasions - in the Gr.2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock and the Gr.1 July Cup at Newmarket. A planned tilt at the Gr.1 Prix Maurice de Gheest was scuppered by another setback, with a soft tissue injury diagnosed.
The Middle Park Stakes has a rich history of producing top-class sprinters and stallions. Previous winners include the likes of Oasis Dream, who went on to sire multiple Group One winners, and Dream Ahead, who captured five Group One races during his career. Vandeek's scintillating performance in the race drew comparisons with some of the best winners in recent memory.
Simon Crisford, who trained Vandeek jointly with his son Ed, was effusive in his praise: "Vandeek was a brilliant two-year-old for Sheikh Khalid and his amazing turn of foot set him apart from the others. He had a wonderful temperament and he was such a great pleasure to train. His Juddmonte Middle Park victory was sensational and I don't think I've ever seen a better winner of that race. He was pure class and it is such a great shame he didn't have the opportunity to fulfil his potential this year."
Jockey James Doyle, who partnered Vandeek to his Middle Park triumph, added: "I got a huge thrill from riding Vandeek in the Juddmonte Middle Park and he was an exceptional racehorse blessed with a blistering turn of pace."
Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, expressed the excitement surrounding the new acquisition: "Patricia Thompson is delighted to have been able to secure Vandeek, in partnership with Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, to stand at Cheveley Park Stud in Newmarket, making this very exciting son of Havana Grey available to British and international breeders and thus further enhancing the long-established history of Cheveley Park Stud standing world-class stallions."
With his impeccable juvenile form and electric speed, Vandeek is poised to make a significant impact at stud. Breeders will undoubtedly be keen to tap into the bloodlines of this unbeaten Group One winner as he embarks on the next chapter of his career at one of Britain's most prestigious studs.