Duel G1 Investec Oaks and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. heroine Taghrooda (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}–Ezima {Ire}, by Sadler's Wells) was hailed 'an absolute star' after connections confirmed she has run her last race. The Shadwell homebred was a stunning winner of the Epsom Classic in early June, but it was her victory against her elders and the males at Ascot that confirmed John Gosden's charge as an exceptional filly. Her unbeaten record went up in smoke when she suffered a shock defeat in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks, but she once again showed her true colors when finishing third from a wide draw in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp Oct. 5. Taghrooda will now be retired to take up broodmare duties for owner-breeder Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum early next year. The bay retires with a record of 6-4-1-1 and earnings of $2,404,603.
Sheikh Hamdan's racing manager, Angus Gold said, “The Arc was always going to be her last run and that has now been confirmed. She's been an absolute star for us. In all my time, the only other filly we've had of that class is Salsabil (GB) (Sadler's Wells), which shows you how rare they are. She [Taghrooda] is blessed with so many things. She is bred to stay, but I was surprised with how much speed she has, but I suppose that comes down to her class and quality. She also has the most incredible temperament and I think that is probably the best thing of all about her. She has been a joy to work with and John [Gosden] and his team have done a fantastic job with her all year.
Gold added, “We had the blip at York when she wasn't at her absolute best, but, apart from that, she hasn't let us down once. It's not too often you can say that. She ran a fantastic race in the Arc from a tricky draw and we're very lucky to have her now for the stud. She's been an absolute star.”
Taghrooda hails from the same female family as Her Highness The Queen's English highweight and G1SW Estimate (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}) as well as Irish highweights MG1SW Enzeli (GB) (Kahyasi {Ire}) and GISWs Ebadiyla (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). Group 1 winner Edabiya (Ire) (Rainbow Quest) is also a member of that family.
Asked which stallion could be the first to cover Taghrooda, Gold said, “Sheikh Hamdan and his stud managers will be working on that now.”
Paul Hanagan partnered Taghrooda in five of her six starts and identified the filly's cool demeanor as being a key attribute.
Hanagan told At The Races, “I owe her a lot. She's done wonders for my career. I knew the prestige of the race [King George], but I'll never forget the ovation we both got coming back in. It was a massive day for the team and I was delighted for Sheikh Hamdan. She was a very tough filly. She stayed well, but she did have a turn of foot. The main thing was her temperament. She was an absolute joy to ride, she made my job very easy. She's done us proud.”
Shadwells new stallion for 2015, G1 Coral-Eclipse S. winner Muhkadram (GB) (Shamardal–Magic Tree {UAE}, by Timber Country), has also been retired Monday according to Racing Post. The bay was originally pointing to make his final start Champions Weekend. He retires with a mark of 16-5-3-2 and $3,251,510 in earnings. Muhkadram will stand for £7,000 for the 2015 season.
“Mukhadram's retired too,” commented Angus Gold, racing manager for Sheikh Hamdan to Racing Post. “It's too wet at Ascot, but he's been a tough, consistent performer and he's a fine, big good-looking horse so we hope he'll appeal to breeders.” Click here to read more about Mukhadram.
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