Al Bahathri dies at age 32

Shadwell's iconic mare Al Bahathri, an Irish champion, classic winner and

classic producer, has passed away at Sheikh Hamdan's Derrinstown Stud in

Ireland. The daughter of Blushing Groom lived to the great age of 32.

Al Bahathri who name means "lavender" in Arabic, was bred by Tom Whitney and

purchased by Shadwell for $650,000 at the Keeneland July Sale of 1982. Put into

training with Harry Thompson Jones in Newmarket, she won the Lowther and

Princess Margaret Stakes before finishing third in the Cheveley Park Stakes

The following season, Al Bahathri made nearly all the running in the One

Thousand Guineas before being caught close to home by Oh So Sharp, but gained

classic success herself three weeks later in winning the Irish One Thousand

Guineas. The racy chestnut added the Coronation Stakes to her resume and

ultimately ranked as Ireland's champion three-year-old filly.

Retired upon the conclusion of her three-year-old campaign to join the

Shadwell broodmare band, Al Bahathri proved just as successful in her new

endeavor. She is responsible for Shadwell's Two Thousand Guineas hero and

Champion Stakes winner Haafhd, and her daughters and granddaughters have

produced such standouts as Military Attack, Red Cadeaux and Gladiatorus.

One of the main training gallops was funded by Sheikh Hamdan and named in Al

Bahathri's honor.

Stephen Collins of Derrinstown said: "Al Bahathri lived out her final years

in retirement at Derrinstown, and, until recently, had remained healthy despite

her advancing years. However, recently she passed away peacefully."