By Alayna Cullen Birkett
With the first foals of 2020 starting to appear and the finalization of mating plans taking place, there is no better time than the present to consider the new stallions who have joined rosters across Europe. On that list is Eqtidaar (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) who has joined his owner/breeder Sheikh Hamdan's Nunnery Stud just outside Newmarket.
Eqtidaar was an impressive winner of the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, a win which on closer inspection showed strong form lines and which Tom Pennington, nominations and marketing Manager at Shadwell, points out was also won in a record time.
“Eqtidaar was an exceptionally fast horse. He was always held in very high regard by Sir Michael Stoute. He won on his debut at two in Nottingham and it all sort of culminated with him winning the Commonwealth Cup, a fairly deep renewal. He beat some very good horses: Sands of Mali (Fr), Unfortunately (Ire), Sioux Nation, Heartache (GB). And he won in quicker time than Caravaggio and Quiet Reflection (GB).”
His speed and ability should come as no surprise upon closer inspection of his pedigree. He is out of Madany (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), who herself was a two-time winner over six furlongs and his half-brother, Massaat (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), won the G2 Hungerford S. over seven furlongs as well as being placed in the G1 2000 Guineas behind Galileo Gold (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}). Further back in the pedigree come Group 1 performers Scottish (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and Precieuse (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}), the latter of which won the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.
While his dam's side exudes class, it would be remiss not to mention Eqtidaar's sire line. Pennington points out just how potent and prevalent Invincible Spirit is as a sire of sires.
“Invincible Spirit is the sire line of the moment. What can you say? He's doing it all around the world. I Am Invincible (Aus) is getting sales toppers in Australia. Kingman (GB), what can you say about Kingman? He's the most exciting young stallion in Europe. And of course Cable Bay (Ire), who upgraded his mares as we saw with his 2-year-olds last year.”
This analysis of Eqtidaar doesn't seem to weigh too heavily on the shoulders of the young horse though, who seems at home in new surroundings.
“He's very relaxed,” Pennington says. “He's been with us now three or four months and he's settled in. You'd have thought he'd been here the whole time.”
When you meet Eqtidaar his impressive topline hits you as does his head, which catches the eye, “he's got plenty of size about him. He's very good-looking, stands over plenty of ground and is very athletic. He's got that length to him, but he's got his dad's head. He's a gorgeous-looking horse.”
Breeders who have yet to see Shadwell's newest recruit will have another opportunity to view him during the Tattersalls February Sale when he will be stabled at Beech House, which is just a short drive from the sales complex.
Nowadays there is a concern over the market for selling foals and yearlings and the possible saturation of any one stallion's progeny. This concern need not apply to those who are considering a visit to Eqtidaar or indeed to any of the stallions on the Shadwell roster.
“I think that's a string we've got to our bow, is that we limit our books at 120, 130, and I think that gives breeders confidence going into the sales ring,” Pennington says. “The market's not going to be saturated and they've got a great opportunity of maximizing profit.”
And from a £6,500 cover fee it would come as no surprise if breeders saw a healthy return from a nomination to Eqtidaar.
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