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| Staff Writer |
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Hukum, who has retired, will be joining Darley's stallion roster at Hokkaido in Japan.
Owen Burrows expertly trained this 6YO, who is a full-brother to the brilliant Baaeed, also owned by Shadwell. He has won 11 out of 18 races and twice at Group One level. In the 2022 Coronation Cup, he beat Pyledriver by over four lengths, setting himself up for a fantastic season. Unfortunately, he suffered a career-threatening injury.
The Shadwell team and Burrows nursed him back to health, and he made a triumphant comeback by beating last year's Derby winner, Desert Crown, in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes. He went on to claim victory in the thrilling King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes over Westover.
Burrows said, “It has been an absolute pleasure to train Hukum over the last four seasons.
“I will forever be in his debt as he has brought my career to a whole new level. His enthusiasm for work and racing made my job easy.
“His win in the Coronation Cup by over four lengths and King George win this year showed off all his fine attributes perfectly. Class, guts and will to win. That race will live long in, not just mine, but many racing fans’ memory for years to come.
“A superb looking and athletic individual, a full-brother to Baaeed, whom I’m sure will be very popular with breeders in Japan.”
Stephen Collins, Shadwell’s European Bloodstock Manager, told www.shadwellstud.com, “Shadwell are delighted that Hukum, a full-brother to Baaeed, the highest-rated turf horse in the last decade, will stand at Darley Japan.
“Hukum has all the attributes to be a hugely successful stallion. A top-class racehorse, possessing a wonderful physique, he hails from one of Shadwell’s most successful families tracing back to the highly influential broodmare Height Of Fashion.
“We are thrilled that Japanese breeders will be able to avail of such a wonderful bloodline that his late HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and his family have developed and maintained at the highest level over the last 40 years.
“Sheikha Hissa and her family very much look forward to following Hukum’s new career very closely and it wouldn’t surprise me if Shadwell were to support him with some high-quality broodmares going forward as he is held in the highest regard by us all.”
Shadwell’s racing manager, Angus Gold, added, “He’s done incredibly well. It’s well documented he got that fracture last year and to come back and win two Group races, including one of the greatest races in Europe, was really special.
“Sheikha Hissa was very keen to retain her contact with the horse and Darley said he could stand with them in Japan, which is a wonderful opportunity for the horse.
“Both Owen’s team and the team at Shadwell did a fantastic job to get him back and it’s great it’s ended on a good note.”