Ajdal
| Ajdal | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Northern Dancer |
| Grandsire | Nearctic |
| Dam | Native Partner |
| Damsire | Raise A Native |
| Sex | Colt |
| Foaled | 2 April 1984 |
| Country | United States |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. |
| Owner | Sheikh Mohammed |
| Trainer | Michael Stoute |
| Record | 11:7-0-1 |
| Major wins | |
|
Dewhurst Stakes (1986) Craven Stakes (1987) July Cup (1987) William Hill Sprint Championship (1987) Vernons Sprint Cup (1987) |
|
| Awards | |
| Top-rated European Sprinter (1987) Timeform Best Sprinter (1987) Timeform rating: 130 in 1986 and 1987 |
|
Ajdal (2 April 1984 – August 1988) was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was one of the leading European two-year-old of 1986, when he was unbeaten in three races including the Dewhurst Stakes. In the early part of 1987 he was aimed at the classics but after winning the Craven Stakes on his debut, he was beaten in the 2000 Guineas, Irish 2000 Guineas and Epsom Derby. He was then switched to shorter distances and emerged as the best European sprinter of the year, winning the July Cup, William Hill Sprint Championship and Vernons Sprint Cup. He was then retired to stud but died after siring only one crop of foals.
Ajdal was a bay colt with three white socks bred in Maryland by Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. He was from the nineteenth crop of foals sired by Northern Dancer, the winner of the 1964 Kentucky Derby and one of the most influential sires of the 20th century. Ajdal's dam Native Partner was a half sister of Jim French and a top-class racemare whose wins included the Maskette Handicap in 1970. Apart from Ajdal she produced several other winners including Formidable (Middle Park Stakes), Flying Partner (Fantasy Stakes) and Fabuleux Jane (Prix de Pomone).
The yearling was consigned by Wilson's Oxford Stable to the Keeneland Sales in July 1985 and attracted strong interest. The bidding reached $7.5 million before Sheikh Mohammed dropped out when he realised that he was bidding against the colt's breeder. The price set a record for a breeder "buying back" his own horse which stood until 2008 when Michael Paulson went to $7.7 to retain Vallenzeri, the horse later known as Take Control. The Sheikh later purchased the yearling privately for an undisclosed sum and gave him the name Ajdal, an Arabic word meaning "handsome". Ajdal was sent into training with Michael Stoute at Newmarket, Suffolk and was ridden in most of his races by Walter Swinburn.
...
Wikipedia