European Champion Aljabr Dies

Aljabr (Storm Cat–Sierra Madre {Fr}, by Baillamont), the Cartier Award-winning juvenile of 1998, died of a heart attack Feb. 6 at Shadwell Farm, where he had been a pensioner since 2013. He was 22 years old.

Bred, foaled and raised at Shadwell, Aljabr ran the table in three starts at two, winning the G3 Vintage S. at second asking before securing a championship with a victory in the G1 Prix de la Salamandre at Longchamp. His two wins from six subsequent appearances at three and four came in two of Europe’s premier mile events, the G1 Sussex S. in 1999 and the G1 Lockinge S. the following spring. He retired to stud with five wins from nine starts and earnings of $593,796.

“Aljabr will be remembered for his championship juvenile season, but he was a Group 1 winner at three and four as well,” said Shadwell Vice President Rick Nichols. “His victory in the Sussex was historic, he set a course record in top company in a 160-year-old stakes race.”

Aljabr retired to stud at Shadwell in 2001 and relocated to Ascot Stud in Ontario Canada in 2008. From 11 crops, he sired 202 foals and 91 winners. Included among his 10 stakes winners, 17 stakes horses, was 2008 Canadian Classic-winning filly Northern Kraze.

Aljabr will be buried at Shadwell.