Aljabr
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Retrospectiv
- Maiden Special Weight
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I doubt anyone will be able to really speculate why Aljabr has failed so far as a sire. He had a great race record, being one of the few Storm Cat's to win Group/Grade 1's at 2, 3 and 4 and I imagine he was well supported by Shadwell in the beginning. He was also a pick of a few pedigree experts to do well (he comes from the popular cross of Storm Cat on a Blushing Groom line mare). He's only gotten one stakes winner to date and he's only getting 34% starters from foals of racing age.
The worst I've heard about him is that he's a tad small and on the finer side than what appeals to many American breeders. From photos I've always found him to be a very attractive individual.
Shadwell have had hard luck with stallions like him, and Dayjur who had good pedigrees and race records but were subsequent flops in the shed.
The worst I've heard about him is that he's a tad small and on the finer side than what appeals to many American breeders. From photos I've always found him to be a very attractive individual.
Shadwell have had hard luck with stallions like him, and Dayjur who had good pedigrees and race records but were subsequent flops in the shed.
~There is always one more imbecile than you counted on~
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erins isle
- Grade III Winner
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Hi, look at this website of Shadwell (Aljabr), you can also see him move, in my opinion he is a rather lightly framed horse.
http://www.shadwellfarm.com/aljabr/news.asp
http://www.shadwellfarm.com/aljabr/news.asp
There may be any number of reasons why Aljabr has not been as successful as some had hoped. His dam side is very French with a turf orientated slant that would, in my view, not be especially stimulating to American buyers or breeders. I can't comment on his size/scope because I've seen him in the flesh but if he is small(ish) that can't be to his benefit.
However, I need to say that the general management of stallions by the Godolphin team, both in Europe & North American has been woeful. Aljabr should have stood in England, as a dual Group 1 winner on grass and being a son of Storm Cat, he could, if managed properly, have had a really strong book of mares in his first 2/3 years. Instead, he is just another son of Storm Cat in KY who has no dirt racing form. Similar errors were made when they stood Dayjur, Shiek Albadou and regrettably Swain at Shadwell, a horse who is crying out to return to England.
It really saddens me to see such a comprehensive waste of potentially good quality stock because of poor stallion management.
However, I need to say that the general management of stallions by the Godolphin team, both in Europe & North American has been woeful. Aljabr should have stood in England, as a dual Group 1 winner on grass and being a son of Storm Cat, he could, if managed properly, have had a really strong book of mares in his first 2/3 years. Instead, he is just another son of Storm Cat in KY who has no dirt racing form. Similar errors were made when they stood Dayjur, Shiek Albadou and regrettably Swain at Shadwell, a horse who is crying out to return to England.
It really saddens me to see such a comprehensive waste of potentially good quality stock because of poor stallion management.
Good point, while Dayjur and Sheikh Albadou are pretty much history as of now I cannot for the life of me understand why Swain is standing in Kentucky. He is a superior stallion and you are spot on about him being a dirt racing misfit. As for Aljabr are there serious soundness issues? Or is it just purely a lack of opportunity. Anyhow I hope the one I have becomes a champ in India where all our racing is on the turf.
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LaTroienne
- Restricted Stakes Winner
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I've been wondering about this, too.
My thoughts are that:
1. He was not given top quality mares here. There are a lot of Storm Cats over here already, and maybe it was thought that, since he was a grass racer, he would not do as well. (Giant's Causeway was a Euro., but DID perform on dirt).
2. He was perhaps not commercial enough. What he had every other sire seemed to have - why should they breed their mare to him? Lots of other SC's, good horses, inbred to Phalaris a million times over.
Also, his crops haven't been gigantic, but, then again, Intidab had like 6 foals per crop and got Greater Good.
My thoughts are that:
1. He was not given top quality mares here. There are a lot of Storm Cats over here already, and maybe it was thought that, since he was a grass racer, he would not do as well. (Giant's Causeway was a Euro., but DID perform on dirt).
2. He was perhaps not commercial enough. What he had every other sire seemed to have - why should they breed their mare to him? Lots of other SC's, good horses, inbred to Phalaris a million times over.
Also, his crops haven't been gigantic, but, then again, Intidab had like 6 foals per crop and got Greater Good.
