Champion South African sire Al Mufti has died at Ascot Stud in Port Elizabeth.  The son of Roberto had been living in retirement since fertility problems forced his withdrawal from stud duty in 2007.  He was 26.

Al Mufti (Roberto – Lassie Dear by Buckpasser) was Champion South African sire in 2002 and was one of its most influential stallions of the last two decades.  He is the sire of 11 Group 1 winners including recent Cape Derby winner Top Seller.  Another son Victory Moon won the UAE Derby and also finished fifth to Falbrav in the Eclipse Stakes.

Al Mufti has several sons representing him at stud including G1 winner Captain Al and he has also excelled as a broodmare sire.  Between them, his daughters have produced 10 Group 1 winners including Dubai Duty Free winner Jay Peg and Dubai World Cup fancy Bold Silvano.

Al Mufti was raced by Sheikh Hamdan to win four races and he was also placed in the G2 Cologne Gerling Preis, G3 Newbury St Simon Stakes and when sent to South Africa in the G1 Durban July Hcp.

He owned a blue-blood pedigree being a half-brother to G1 Prix de la Foret winner Wolfhound and the dam of Champion USA sire A P Indy.