English Derby winner pensioned

Shahrastani has been pensioned from stud duties at the age of 28.  The son of Nijinsky is based at Walton Fields in Leicestershire.

Shahrastani (Nijinsky – Shademah by Thatch) won the 1986 English and Irish Derbies and also finished fourth in the King George and the Arc de Triomphe for owner-breeder the Aga Khan.

His best flat progeny include the Group winners Rifapour, St Mawes and Cajarian.  All up, he has sired 110 individual winners in 15 countries at a 51% strike rate.

“He’s in good form, still his normal self and as fit as a fiddle,” Walton Fields manager Wayne Hutchinson said.  “It’s not his fertility, it’s a medical problem that would cause discomfort when covering.”

Lindsay Park gelding Shahi was the only Shahrastani to race in Australia.  He had been credited with Nottingham and Chepstow wins before transferring to Australia in 1992.  He failed in five starts for David Hayes and was quickly culled to West Australia where he managed just one win at Ascot in over 60 starts!

Shahrastani mare Tabessa was a two-time Irish winner for the Aga Khan.  At stud she foaled Taberann (Doyoun) who won six races including the G3 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in November 1999.