Aljabr
Encyclopedia
Aljabr is a retired American-bred Thoroughbred
racehorse and active sire who was trained in England
and Dubai
during a racing career which lasted from 1998 to 2000. He was named European Champion Two-Year-Old Colt for 1998, a year in which he was unbeaten in three starts including the Group One
Prix de la Salamandre and the Group Three
Vintage Stakes
. Training problems restricted Aljabr to only six races in the next two seasons, but he won the Sussex Stakes
as a three-year-old and the Lockinge Stakes
at four.
by the Shadwell Stud, the breeding operation of Hamdan Al Maktoum
Aljabr’s sire the double American Champion
Storm Cat
was a highly successful stallion, producing the winners of more than 60 Conditions races
/Grade I
including Cat Thief
and Tabasco Cat
in the United States
and Giant's Causeway
in Europe. Aljabr’s dam Sierra Madre, from whom he inherited his grey coat, was a top-class racemare, winning the Prix Marcel Boussac
and the Prix Vermeille
.
Aljabr was trained throughout his career by Saeed bin Suroor
, spending his summers in England and his winters in Dubai
as part of the Godolphin Racing team. He was ridden in seven of his nine races by the Godolphin stable jockey Frankie Dettori
.
Al-Jabr (الجبر) is an Arabic
word meaning "restoration" and is the origin of the term algebra
.
Aljabr first appeared in a maiden race at Sandown in early July. Starting the Evens favourite he led from the start and drew clear in the closing stages to win "comfortably" by four lengths. The beaten horses included the future Group race
winners Lots of Magic (Jersey Stakes
), Pulau Tioman (Diomed Stakes
) and Hula Angel (Irish 1000 Guineas
). At the end of the month Aljabr was moved up to Group Three class for the Vintage Stakes
at Glorious Goodwood, for which he was made odds-on favourite. The race was a repeat of his Sandown win, with Aljabr taking an early lead and pulling away in the final furlong
to win by three lengths. The form of the race was boosted in August when the runner-up Raise A Grand, won the Solario Stakes
at Sandown.
On his next start, Aljabr was moved up to the highest level as he was sent to France for the Group One Prix de la Salamandre
at Longchamp. He started 6/4 favourite and Dettori sent the colt into the lead from the start. In the straight he held off a strong challenge from the future European Champion Sprinter Stravinsky
to win by half a length in what one correspondent described as a "pulsating showdown". Stravinsky was subsequently disqualified for causing interference. After the race Simon Crisford, Godolphin's racing manager, explained that the colt would be unlikely to run again that year as they did not want to over-race him. The bookmakers offered him at 7/1 for the following year's 2000 Guineas.
for the Kentucky Derby
. He arrived safely at Churchill Downs
but was withdrawn two days before the race after bruising a hoof and sustaining a muscle injury in training.
Aljabr did not reappear until June, when he was sent to Royal Ascot for the St. James's Palace Stakes
. Aljabr raced prominently and led the field into the straight. In the final furlong he was caught and passed by the French-trained Sendawar but stayed on to hold second place. In July Aljabr was made favourite for the Sussex Stakes
at Goodwood. As usual, he was sent to the front from the start and when pressed in the straight by Docksider he quickened again as "only a brilliant horse can" to pull ahead and win by a length. His winning time of 1:35.66 was a course record. Dettori expressed the view that Aljabr had been "a race short" (below peak fitness) at Ascot and looked forward to taking on Sendawar again.
The rematch with Sendawar came in the Prix du Moulin
at Longchamp in September. Aljabr challenged for the lead in the straight, but weakened in the closing stages to finish a well-beaten fourth. It was subsequently revealed that Aljabr had fractured a bone in his knee, and the colt was off the course for the next eight months.
at Newbury
. Predictably, he led from the start and was driven out to win by two lengths from Trans Island. This was to be his last association with Dettori who was forced out of action for several weeks after being injured in a plane crash; in his two remaining races Aljabr was ridden by Richard Hills
.
At Royal Ascot Aljabr started favourite for the Queen Anne Stakes
, but could finish only fourth behind Kalanisi
. On his final start he failed to repeat his 1999 performance in the Sussex Stakes, finishing fifth of the nine runners behind Giant's Causeway. His retirement was announced in August.
winner Mujahid.
Aljabr was given a peak Timeform
rating of 125.
. where he stands at a fee of $3,500.
Aljabr has made little impact as a sire. His progeny have won more than seventy races, but none at Group level, with the best of his offspring being the successful handicapper Munaddam.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse and active sire who was trained in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
during a racing career which lasted from 1998 to 2000. He was named European Champion Two-Year-Old Colt for 1998, a year in which he was unbeaten in three starts including the Group One
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
Prix de la Salamandre and the Group Three
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
Vintage Stakes
Vintage Stakes
The Vintage Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:...
. Training problems restricted Aljabr to only six races in the next two seasons, but he won the Sussex Stakes
Sussex Stakes
The Sussex Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:...
as a three-year-old and the Lockinge Stakes
Lockinge Stakes
The Lockinge Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Newbury over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
at four.
Background
Aljabr, a "tall, lengthy" grey horse, was bred in Lexington, KentuckyLexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
by the Shadwell Stud, the breeding operation of Hamdan Al Maktoum
Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the Minister of Finance and Industry of the United Arab Emirates . He is the second son of the late ruler, Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum ....
Aljabr’s sire the double American Champion
Leading sire in North America
The list below shows the leading sire of Thoroughbred racehorses in North America for each year since 1830. This is determined by the amount of prizemoney won by the sire's progeny during the year...
Storm Cat
Storm Cat
Storm Cat was an American Thoroughbred stallion whose breeding fee during the peak of his stud career was $500,000, the highest in the world. As such, he was one of the few horses with a 24-hour armed guard....
was a highly successful stallion, producing the winners of more than 60 Conditions races
Group One
Group One or Group 1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. Group One races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply. Races may be also restricted to age groups or a...
/Grade I
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
including Cat Thief
Cat Thief
Cat Thief is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Regally bred, he is the son of Storm Cat, an outstanding Champion sire and the grandson of both the 20th Century's most important sire, Northern Dancer and whose damsire was the legendary U.S. Triple Crown champion, Secretariat. Cat Thief's dam was...
and Tabasco Cat
Tabasco Cat
Tabasco Cat was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He was best known for his performances in 1994 when he won the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, the second and third legs of the Triple Crown Series.-Background:...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Giant's Causeway
Giant's Causeway (horse)
Giant's Causeway is a Kentucky-bred thoroughbred racehorse who competed primarily in Europe. In 2000, he won five straight Group One races. His performance that year earned him European Horse of the Year honors....
in Europe. Aljabr’s dam Sierra Madre, from whom he inherited his grey coat, was a top-class racemare, winning the Prix Marcel Boussac
Prix Marcel Boussac
The Prix Marcel Boussac is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,600 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early October....
and the Prix Vermeille
Prix Vermeille
The Prix Vermeille is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1897, and it...
.
Aljabr was trained throughout his career by Saeed bin Suroor
Saeed bin Suroor
Saeed bin Suroor , is a horse racing trainer. Formerly a policeman, he took out his training license in 1994 and the following year was appointed as the trainer for Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation....
, spending his summers in England and his winters in Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
as part of the Godolphin Racing team. He was ridden in seven of his nine races by the Godolphin stable jockey Frankie Dettori
Frankie Dettori
Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE is an Italian horse racing jockey and celebrity. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races.. He has had many successes in his role of stable jockey to Godolphin Racing...
.
Al-Jabr (الجبر) is an Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
word meaning "restoration" and is the origin of the term algebra
Algebra
Algebra is the branch of mathematics concerning the study of the rules of operations and relations, and the constructions and concepts arising from them, including terms, polynomials, equations and algebraic structures...
.
1998: two-year-old season
Won all three starts.Aljabr first appeared in a maiden race at Sandown in early July. Starting the Evens favourite he led from the start and drew clear in the closing stages to win "comfortably" by four lengths. The beaten horses included the future Group race
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
winners Lots of Magic (Jersey Stakes
Jersey Stakes
The Jersey Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
), Pulau Tioman (Diomed Stakes
Diomed Stakes
The Diomed Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile and 114 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early June....
) and Hula Angel (Irish 1000 Guineas
Irish 1000 Guineas
The Irish 1,000 Guineas is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
). At the end of the month Aljabr was moved up to Group Three class for the Vintage Stakes
Vintage Stakes
The Vintage Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:...
at Glorious Goodwood, for which he was made odds-on favourite. The race was a repeat of his Sandown win, with Aljabr taking an early lead and pulling away in the final furlong
Furlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....
to win by three lengths. The form of the race was boosted in August when the runner-up Raise A Grand, won the Solario Stakes
Solario Stakes
The Solario Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 7 furlongs and 16 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
at Sandown.
On his next start, Aljabr was moved up to the highest level as he was sent to France for the Group One Prix de la Salamandre
Prix de la Salamandre
The Prix de la Salamandre was a Group 1 flat horse race in France which was open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It was run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,400 metres , and it was scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1872, and it was...
at Longchamp. He started 6/4 favourite and Dettori sent the colt into the lead from the start. In the straight he held off a strong challenge from the future European Champion Sprinter Stravinsky
Stravinsky (horse)
Stravinsky-Background:Stravinsky is a powerfully built bay horse standing 15.3 hands high, with a white star and a white sock on his near foreleg. He was sired by the disqualified 2000 Guineas winner Nureyev out of the mare Fire The Groom...
to win by half a length in what one correspondent described as a "pulsating showdown". Stravinsky was subsequently disqualified for causing interference. After the race Simon Crisford, Godolphin's racing manager, explained that the colt would be unlikely to run again that year as they did not want to over-race him. The bookmakers offered him at 7/1 for the following year's 2000 Guineas.
1999: three-year-old season
By January 1999 Aljabr had shortened to 4/1 favourite for the Guineas, but after performing particularly well on the sand track in Dubai the decision was taken to send him to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for the Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
. He arrived safely at Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs, located in Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, is a Thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby annually. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and the first Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs...
but was withdrawn two days before the race after bruising a hoof and sustaining a muscle injury in training.
Aljabr did not reappear until June, when he was sent to Royal Ascot for the St. James's Palace Stakes
St. James's Palace Stakes
The St. James's Palace Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
. Aljabr raced prominently and led the field into the straight. In the final furlong he was caught and passed by the French-trained Sendawar but stayed on to hold second place. In July Aljabr was made favourite for the Sussex Stakes
Sussex Stakes
The Sussex Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:...
at Goodwood. As usual, he was sent to the front from the start and when pressed in the straight by Docksider he quickened again as "only a brilliant horse can" to pull ahead and win by a length. His winning time of 1:35.66 was a course record. Dettori expressed the view that Aljabr had been "a race short" (below peak fitness) at Ascot and looked forward to taking on Sendawar again.
The rematch with Sendawar came in the Prix du Moulin
Prix du Moulin de Longchamp
The Prix du Moulin de Longchamp is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbred colts and fillies aged three years or older...
at Longchamp in September. Aljabr challenged for the lead in the straight, but weakened in the closing stages to finish a well-beaten fourth. It was subsequently revealed that Aljabr had fractured a bone in his knee, and the colt was off the course for the next eight months.
2000: four-year-old season
Aljabr made a successful start to his four-year-old season by winning the Group One Lockinge StakesLockinge Stakes
The Lockinge Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Newbury over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
at Newbury
Newbury Racecourse
Newbury Racecourse is a racecourse in the civil parish of Greenham, adjoining the town of Newbury in Berkshire, England. It has courses for flat races and over jumps...
. Predictably, he led from the start and was driven out to win by two lengths from Trans Island. This was to be his last association with Dettori who was forced out of action for several weeks after being injured in a plane crash; in his two remaining races Aljabr was ridden by Richard Hills
Richard Hills
Richard Hills is a flat racing jockey. He is twin brother to Michael Hills and their father is racehorse trainer Barry Hills. The twins' older brother John Hills is also a trainer...
.
At Royal Ascot Aljabr started favourite for the Queen Anne Stakes
Queen Anne Stakes
The Queen Anne Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
, but could finish only fourth behind Kalanisi
Kalanisi
Kalanisi is a Thoroughbred racehorse who won European Champion and American Champion honors in 2000.-Background:...
. On his final start he failed to repeat his 1999 performance in the Sussex Stakes, finishing fifth of the nine runners behind Giant's Causeway. His retirement was announced in August.
Assessment
Aljabr was named European Champion Two-Year-Old Colt at the 1998 Cartier Racing Awards. In the official International Classification however, he was ranked third, four pounds behind the Dewhurst StakesDewhurst Stakes
The Dewhurst Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.The event was established in 1875, and it...
winner Mujahid.
Aljabr was given a peak Timeform
Timeform
Timeform Publications is a publishing company in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England founded in 1948 to provide information to fans, bettors, and others involved in the horse racing industry...
rating of 125.
Stud career
Aljabr returned to his birthplace at the Shadwell Stud in Kentucky, to stand as a stallion from 2001 to 2008. Since 2009 he has been based at the Ascot Stud near Port Colborne, OntarioOntario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. where he stands at a fee of $3,500.
Aljabr has made little impact as a sire. His progeny have won more than seventy races, but none at Group level, with the best of his offspring being the successful handicapper Munaddam.