THE world famous Shadwell Racing operation is to sell a ‘substantial’ number of its horses with alarm bells ringing throughout the industry.
The business is set to be significantly cut down after the death of Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum in March.
The news will be a huge blow to the racing world, with the famous blue and white silks a common sight since the 1980s on racecourses around the globe.
Many top trainers in Britain care for horses under the Shadwell banner and all seem resigned to losing a significant number of horses ahead of the next Flat season.
Shadwell announced on Thursday that it will undertake ‘a full review of all its activities that will result in important changes for the business’.
After Sheikh Hamdan’s death, his daughter Sheikha Hissa remained adamant she would continue to fly the Shadwell flag.
That is rumoured to still be the case, but to what extent numbers will be cut is yet to be finalised. The upcoming sales in the coming months will reveal much more.
A statement from Chris Kennard, the UK director of Shadwell, said: “Operations in the UK, Ireland and the USA will contract, with a focus on quality and competition at the highest level of the sport with horses of the calibre of Baaeed and Malathaat.
“A number of horses in training and homebred yearlings will be sold this autumn, while its broodmare band will be further reduced through dispersals at key auctions over the coming months.
“The family wish to stress that they remain extremely passionate about the sport and through the chairmanship of Sheikha Hissa, herself an accomplished horsewoman, are committed to ensuring that their father’s legacy endures for many years to come.
They intend to retain a significant number of homebred foals and will continue their global stallion operations.”
As part of a long-term plan for Shadwell to operate on a sustainable footing, a recent decision has been made to contract the size of the global business.
“This will involve the imminent sale of a substantial number of horses – including yearlings, horses in training and breeding stock, and in due course, a reorganisation of each of the worldwide operations.”
Shadwell announced its intention to wind down operations in Australia and South Africa before Sheikh Hamdan’s death.
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