Haafhd
Encyclopedia
Haafhd is a retired British Thoroughbred
racehorse and active stallion, best known for winning the 2000 Guineas and Champion Stakes
in 2004.
; his sire is the Dewhurst Stakes
winner Alhaarth
, whilst his dam Al Bahathri won the Irish 1,000 Guineas. He is a half-brother to the Challenge Stakes
winner Munir and the Coronation Stakes
runner-up Hasbah. The colt, whose name is derived from an Arabic word meaning "protector" was sent into training with Barry Hills
at Lambourn
, and was ridden in all his races by Richard Hills.
two weeks later. He was made odds-on favourite for the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster in September, but could finish only third behind Lucky Story. On his final appearance as a juvenile, he finished third in Dewhurst Stakes
, behind Milk It Mick, a horse he had already defeated twice, and Three Valleys.
In the International Classification of two-year-olds, published in January 2004, Haafhd was allotted a figure of 115, rating him the tenth best colt of the year, six pounds below the Champion Bago
.
, confirming himself as a leading contender for the 2000 Guineas over the same course and distance sixteen days later. The Guardian's correspondent commented that "it is a long time... since a Craven was won in such a decisive fashion". In the classic, Haafhd moved up to take the lead two furlongs out and, despite drifting right, won by one and three-quarter lengths from Snow Ridge, Azamour
, Grey Swallow and Whipper. After the race, Barry Hills ruled out the possibility of a Derby
challenge whilst comparing Haafhd favourably to his 1979 2000 Guineas winner Kris
. He also complimented the horse's temperament, calling him "a trainer's dream, so laid-back, with a great attitude to life".
These two excellent performances were followed by two disappointing efforts. In the St. James's Palace Stakes
at Royal Ascot, he took the lead in the straight, but faded into fourth behind Azamour
. A month later he made little impact in the Sussex Stakes
, again fading in the closing stages to finish ninth of the eleven runners behind Soviet Song
.
His final start saw him return to his best form. Sent off a relatively unconsidered 12-1 shot in the Champion Stakes
he moved up to take the lead a furlong out and won by two and a half lengths from the filly Chorist, with Azamour back in third and good horses such as Refuse to Bend
, Norse Dancer, Doyen
and Lucky Story amongst the also-rans. Barry Hills was visibly moved by the performance and called Haafhd "the best miler I have trained".
Four days after the Champion Stakes win, it was announced that Haafhd would be retired to stand at his owner's stud. The decision was announced by Hamdan Al Maktoum's racing manager Angus Gold who explained that although the owner would have liked to have kept the colt in training, he had "decided he was a very important cog in his breeding operation.".
.
, Haafhd was rated at 124, making him the seventh best horse in the world, and the best horse in the world on turf in the Mile and Intermediate categories.
He was given a rating of 129 by Timeform
in the same year.
.
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 stallion, best known for winning the 2000 Guineas and Champion Stakes
Champion Stakes
The Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October...
in 2004.
Background
Haafhd, a bright chestnut colt with a white star, was bred by his owner's Shadwell Stud. Both his parents had been successful racehorses for Hamdan Al MaktoumHamdan 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 ....
; his sire is the Dewhurst Stakes
Dewhurst 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 Alhaarth
Alhaarth
Alhharth is a retired champion Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire, bred in Ireland, but trained in the United Kingdom and Dubai during a racing career that lasted from 1995 to 1997. He was named European Champion Two-Year-Old at the 1995 Cartier Racing Awards. In his championship season he won...
, whilst his dam Al Bahathri won the Irish 1,000 Guineas. He is a half-brother to the Challenge Stakes
Challenge Stakes
The Challenge Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. 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 1878, and the...
winner Munir and the Coronation Stakes
Coronation Stakes
The Coronation Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.-History:...
runner-up Hasbah. The colt, whose name is derived from an Arabic word meaning "protector" was sent into training with Barry Hills
Barry Hills
Barry Hills is a British thoroughbred horse trainer. He lives in Lambourn, England.-Biography:Barry Hills had three sons in his first marriage: John, Michael, and Richard. John is a horse trainer, and both Michael and Richard are jockeys. After his divorce, he married Penny Hills, and had two more...
at Lambourn
Lambourn
Lambourn is a large village and civil parish in the northwestern part of the ceremonial county of Berkshire in England. Its metropolitan district has a population of 4,017, and is most noted for its associations with British National Hunt racehorse training....
, and was ridden in all his races by Richard Hills.
2003: two-year-old season
Haafhd began his racing career with a win in a maiden race at Newmarket in August 2003, and showed himself to be a colt of Group race potential with an "impressive" five length win in the Conditions races Washington Singer StakesWashington Singer Stakes
The Washington Singer Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Newbury over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.-History:...
two weeks later. He was made odds-on favourite for the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster in September, but could finish only third behind Lucky Story. On his final appearance as a juvenile, he finished third in Dewhurst Stakes
Dewhurst 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...
, behind Milk It Mick, a horse he had already defeated twice, and Three Valleys.
In the International Classification of two-year-olds, published in January 2004, Haafhd was allotted a figure of 115, rating him the tenth best colt of the year, six pounds below the Champion Bago
Bago (horse)
Bago was the European Three-Year-Old Champion Thoroughbred race horse in 2004. Bred by the Niarchos family, Bago is best known for winning the 2004 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe amongst his five Group One successes....
.
2004: three-year-old season
On his three-year-old debut Haafhd ran out a five length winner over Three Valleys in the Craven StakesCraven Stakes
The Craven Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April.The event serves as a trial for the first...
, confirming himself as a leading contender for the 2000 Guineas over the same course and distance sixteen days later. The Guardian's correspondent commented that "it is a long time... since a Craven was won in such a decisive fashion". In the classic, Haafhd moved up to take the lead two furlongs out and, despite drifting right, won by one and three-quarter lengths from Snow Ridge, Azamour
Azamour
Azamour is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He won four Group One races including the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and was Europe's Champion Older Horse in 2005. At his peak, he was rated the third best thoroughbred racehorse in the world.-Background:Azamour is a...
, Grey Swallow and Whipper. After the race, Barry Hills ruled out the possibility of a Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
challenge whilst comparing Haafhd favourably to his 1979 2000 Guineas winner Kris
Kris (horse)
Kris was a racehorse owned and bred by the 9th Baron Howard de Walden, and trained by Henry Cecil. He was sired by Sharpen Up out of the mare Doubly Sure....
. He also complimented the horse's temperament, calling him "a trainer's dream, so laid-back, with a great attitude to life".
These two excellent performances were followed by two disappointing efforts. In 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....
at Royal Ascot, he took the lead in the straight, but faded into fourth behind Azamour
Azamour
Azamour is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He won four Group One races including the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and was Europe's Champion Older Horse in 2005. At his peak, he was rated the third best thoroughbred racehorse in the world.-Background:Azamour is a...
. A month later he made little impact in 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:...
, again fading in the closing stages to finish ninth of the eleven runners behind Soviet Song
Soviet Song
Soviet Song is a racehorse bred and owned by Elite Racing Club. She was foaled on February 18, 2000, sired by Marju out of Kalinka...
.
His final start saw him return to his best form. Sent off a relatively unconsidered 12-1 shot in the Champion Stakes
Champion Stakes
The Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October...
he moved up to take the lead a furlong out and won by two and a half lengths from the filly Chorist, with Azamour back in third and good horses such as Refuse to Bend
Refuse To Bend
Refuse To Bend is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse. He was owned by Swiss businessman Walter Haefner and was bred at his Moyglare Stud Farm near the town of Maynooth, County Kildare, in Ireland...
, Norse Dancer, Doyen
Doyen (horse)
Doyen is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse, who was bred in Ireland but trained in France, Dubai and the United Kingdom during a racing career which lasted from 2002 to 2005...
and Lucky Story amongst the also-rans. Barry Hills was visibly moved by the performance and called Haafhd "the best miler I have trained".
Four days after the Champion Stakes win, it was announced that Haafhd would be retired to stand at his owner's stud. The decision was announced by Hamdan Al Maktoum's racing manager Angus Gold who explained that although the owner would have liked to have kept the colt in training, he had "decided he was a very important cog in his breeding operation.".
Race record
| Date | Race | Dist (f) | Course | Class | Prize (£K) | Odds | Runners | Placing | Margin | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hugo & the Huguenotes Maiden Stakes | 6 | Newmarket July Newmarket Racecourse The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping... |
M | 4 | 5/4 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1:15.84 | Richard Hills | Barry Hills Barry Hills Barry Hills is a British thoroughbred horse trainer. He lives in Lambourn, England.-Biography:Barry Hills had three sons in his first marriage: John, Michael, and Richard. John is a horse trainer, and both Michael and Richard are jockeys. After his divorce, he married Penny Hills, and had two more... |
|
| Washington Singer Stakes Washington Singer Stakes The Washington Singer Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Newbury over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.-History:... |
7 | 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... |
L | 14 | 9/4 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 1:23.04 | Richard Hills | Barry Hills Barry Hills Barry Hills is a British thoroughbred horse trainer. He lives in Lambourn, England.-Biography:Barry Hills had three sons in his first marriage: John, Michael, and Richard. John is a horse trainer, and both Michael and Richard are jockeys. After his divorce, he married Penny Hills, and had two more... |
|
| Champagne Stakes | 7 | Doncaster Doncaster Racecourse Doncaster Racecourse is a racecourse in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. It hosts two of Great Britain's 31 Group 1 flat races, the St Leger Stakes and the Racing Post Trophy.- History :... |
3 | 79 | 10/11 | 6 | 3 | 2.25 | 1:27.92 | Richard Hills | Barry Hills Barry Hills Barry Hills is a British thoroughbred horse trainer. He lives in Lambourn, England.-Biography:Barry Hills had three sons in his first marriage: John, Michael, and Richard. John is a horse trainer, and both Michael and Richard are jockeys. After his divorce, he married Penny Hills, and had two more... |
|
| Dewhurst Dewhurst -People:* Colleen Dewhurst, Canadian-born actress* David Dewhurst, American politician* Fred Dewhurst , Preston North End and England international footballer* Jack Dewhurst , English footballer with Blackburn Rovers and Bury... |
7 | Newmarket Rowley Newmarket Racecourse The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping... |
1 | 142 | 7/1 | 12 | 3 | 1.5 | 1:25.22 | Richard Hills | Barry Hills Barry Hills Barry Hills is a British thoroughbred horse trainer. He lives in Lambourn, England.-Biography:Barry Hills had three sons in his first marriage: John, Michael, and Richard. John is a horse trainer, and both Michael and Richard are jockeys. After his divorce, he married Penny Hills, and had two more... |
|
| Craven Stakes Craven Stakes The Craven Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April.The event serves as a trial for the first... |
8 | Newmarket Rowley Newmarket Racecourse The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping... |
3 | 29 | 100/30 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 1:38.33 | Richard Hills | Barry Hills Barry Hills Barry Hills is a British thoroughbred horse trainer. He lives in Lambourn, England.-Biography:Barry Hills had three sons in his first marriage: John, Michael, and Richard. John is a horse trainer, and both Michael and Richard are jockeys. After his divorce, he married Penny Hills, and had two more... |
|
| 2,000 Guineas | 8 | Newmarket Rowley Newmarket Racecourse The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping... |
1 | 174 | 11/2 | 14 | 1 | 1.75 | 1:36.64 | Richard Hills | Barry Hills Barry Hills Barry Hills is a British thoroughbred horse trainer. He lives in Lambourn, England.-Biography:Barry Hills had three sons in his first marriage: John, Michael, and Richard. John is a horse trainer, and both Michael and Richard are jockeys. After his divorce, he married Penny Hills, and had two more... |
|
| 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.... |
8 | Ascot Ascot Racecourse Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races... |
1 | 139 | 6/4 | 11 | 4 | 1.25 | 1:39.02 | Richard Hills | Barry Hills Barry Hills Barry Hills is a British thoroughbred horse trainer. He lives in Lambourn, England.-Biography:Barry Hills had three sons in his first marriage: John, Michael, and Richard. John is a horse trainer, and both Michael and Richard are jockeys. After his divorce, he married Penny Hills, and had two more... |
|
| 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:... |
8 | Goodwood Goodwood Racecourse Goodwood Racecourse is a horse-racing track five miles north of Chichester, West Sussex, in England controlled by the family of the Duke of Richmond, whose seat is nearby Goodwood House... |
1 | 174 | 9/2 | 11 | 9 | 9.5 | 1:36.98 | Richard Hills | Barry Hills Barry Hills Barry Hills is a British thoroughbred horse trainer. He lives in Lambourn, England.-Biography:Barry Hills had three sons in his first marriage: John, Michael, and Richard. John is a horse trainer, and both Michael and Richard are jockeys. After his divorce, he married Penny Hills, and had two more... |
|
| Champion Stakes Champion Stakes The Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October... |
10 | Newmarket Rowley Newmarket Racecourse The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping... |
1 | 215 | 12/1 | 11 | 1 | 2.5 | 2:06.90 | Richard Hills | Barry Hills Barry Hills Barry Hills is a British thoroughbred horse trainer. He lives in Lambourn, England.-Biography:Barry Hills had three sons in his first marriage: John, Michael, and Richard. John is a horse trainer, and both Michael and Richard are jockeys. After his divorce, he married Penny Hills, and had two more... |
|
.
Assessment
In the 2004 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings2004 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
The 2004 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings was the inaugural edition of the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings. It is an assessment of racehorses which was issued by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities in January 2005...
, Haafhd was rated at 124, making him the seventh best horse in the world, and the best horse in the world on turf in the Mile and Intermediate categories.
He was given a rating of 129 by 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...
in the same year.
Stud career
Since being retired to his owner's Nunnery Stud, Haafhd has sired the winners of over 170 races. His best offspring is probably Silver Grecian, winner of the Superlative StakesSuperlative Stakes
The Superlative Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.-History:...
.