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Mafaaz recuperating at farm after summer scare

Mafaaz still has a way to go before returning to the races (Courtesy of Britain's Jockey Club Racecourses) Shadwell Stable's MAFAAZ (GB) (Medicean), the winner of the March 18 Kentucky Derby Challenge at Kempton Park in England, suffered a serious illness over the summer after joining Kiaran McLaughlin, assistant trainer Neal McLaughlin revealed Thursday. Formerly conditioned by John Gosden, Mafaaz earned an automatic berth in the 135th Run for the Roses by virtue of his victory at Kempton. Gosden shipped him to Keeneland for the April 11 Blue Grass S. (G1) to see how he would fare against U.S. competition before going on to the Derby. Mafaaz ran eighth behind General Quarters (Sky Mesa) and was subsequently transferred to the McLaughlin barn. His Derby quest was abandoned, with a view toward switching him to turf. Mafaaz has not raced since.

"He is back on the farm and he seems like a happy horse," Neal McLaughlin said. "After we got him, he was gelded and then went to Saratoga the first of June.

"He was there about a week and got real sick. He lost muscle and started losing protein through his liver. It was pretty dangerous and we have no idea what caused it."

Mafaaz spent more than three months at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Massachusetts.

"I got a little jealous because the vet there got to spend more time with him than I have," McLaughlin said. "I only got to see him a few days in the spring and then again at the farm.

"He's a neat horse and I was excited about American racing for him. I don't know if he will make it back to the races. Hopefully he will. Things seem to be going well."

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