Hong Kong champion Akeed Mofeed (GB) has been retired to stand at Goldin Farms in South Australia.
A Group 1 winner of the 2013 Hong Kong Derby and Hong Kong Cup, he will be foundation sire at the Angaston property which stands on the same grounds as famed Lindsay Park Stud.
Akeed Mofeed (5h Dubawi – Wonder Why by Tiger Hill) retires after 6 wins from 17 starts. He injured a tendon during a final workout for the QEII Cup in April and connections were forced to pull the pin on a planned trip to America to contest the Arlington Million in Chicago in August.
Imported as a Group 2 placed prospect from Ireland, Akeed Mofeed arrived for owner Pan Sutong as a high-profile HK$14.5 million purchase and he repaid and more with earnings of HK$27 million.
“He is ridiculously good-natured and there have been very few successful colts in the history of Hong Kong racing,” Gibson said. “He’s a remarkable animal in physique, temperament and racetrack performance.
“I have to thank Mr Pan because he put a lot of confidence in me. I’m grateful to him, and the horse, of course, for putting me on the map in Hong Kong.”
Champion jockey Douglas Whyte rode Akeed Mofeed to his two biggest victories and reiterated Gibson’s view of Akeed Mofeed as a horse with a gentlemanly nature belying his enormous frame.
“He was one of the most beautiful, perfectly conformed horses to look at, and when you sat on him you couldn’t fault him,” Whyte claimed. “He was so smooth and fluid underneath and was one of the best horses I have ever ridden.”
Hong Kong-based Pan Sutong is keen to restore the property to the respect it commanded with the Hayes family. “We scouted the world for a suitable property,” Goldin Group vice president Sean Fang said. “When we learned Lindsay Park Stud was on the market, it was a no-brainer.
“Mr Pan has the utmost respect for history, heritage and nature. We have replaced fencing and will bring the stables back to peak condition and build new ones.”
Pan Sutong has purchased the property as a private, not commercial, investment.
Goldin has appointed Andrew Perryman as stud manager of the 500ha property. It’s adjacent to Tony McEvoy’s Kidalton Park training complex and next-door to Cornerstone Stud.
McEvoy was a long-time Lindsay Park lieutenant and took over as head trainer between 2001 and 2005. Cornerstone is owned by Sam Hayes, a grand-son of Colin Hayes.
Perryman was active at the Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale and the Magic Millions National Sale stocking up the first book for Akeed Mofeed.
AKEED MOFEED