 |
|
| Sumita Pawar |
 |
Ben Linfoot is amazed by the impressive Group One record of Shadwell since the stud's mission statement emphasized a focus on quality. Following the death of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum in March 2021, racing fans worldwide were unsure if his famous blue and white silks would continue to achieve victories on the racetrack.
Revitalizing Shadwell: A New Era Begins
In September of the same year, Shadwell Stud announced that it would disperse a significant portion of its stock following the founder's passing. A statement indicated that the stud was undergoing a thorough review of its activities, leading to important changes for the business. As a result, their operations in the UK, Ireland, and the USA would contract, with an emphasis on quality and competition at the highest level of the sport.
With fewer horses, the prospects of finding top-level performers seemed uncertain. However, the news that Shadwell would continue to operate, thanks to Sheikh Hamdan's daughter, Sheikha Hissa, brought relief to British racing.
What has transpired in the following years has been truly remarkable.
In retrospect, it all began with Roger Varian, who secured a Group One victory with Eshaada in the Fillies & Mares Stakes on British Champions Day, just a month after the Shadwell statement, in October 2021.
If we examine Shadwell's performance in UK Group One races since then, including the Ascot triumph of Muhaarar's daughter, they have achieved an astounding 11 wins out of 21 attempts, with a success rate of 52%. This clearly demonstrates their focus on quality and competition at the highest level.
Certainly, having a Group One -winning machine like Baaeed contributes to such a record, but as you can see, he is not alone. His full-brother Hukum is also making his mark, with the potential for more success, while horses like Alflaila may not be on the list yet but could join it in the future.
Varian initiated the incredible streak with Eshaada, but unfortunately, she did not progress after her breakthrough victory, falling short in four starts in 2022.
The challenge now is to continue the momentum with Al Husn, the winner of Thursday's Qatar Nassau Stakes. She demonstrated further improvement and surprised everyone by defeating Blue Rose Cen and Nashwa, whose performance was hampered by the softer ground. The French contender faced numerous difficulties during the race under Aurelien Lemaitre.
Jim Crowley positioned his filly well, and with six cracks of the whip, he pushed the daughter of Dubawi to secure a determined half-length victory over Above The Curve, displaying both bravery and strength at the finish.
The exciting part is that there could be more to come. With only 10 starts under her belt, she appears to be in her prime at the age of four and clearly thrives on softer ground. Given her pedigree, she should also handle longer distances, making the Fillies & Mares race on Champions Day the perfect target for her.
The race that started it all could once again feature on the list. A list that is brimming with quality, just as the mission statement promised less than two years ago.