Group 2-winning juvenile and TDN Rising Star Sakheer (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) has been acquired by Ballyhane Stud and will take up stallion duties at the County Carlow outfit in 2025.
Sakheer topped the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale in 2022 when bought by Oliver St Lawrence on behalf of KHK Racing for €550,000. He won his maiden second time up at Haydock before running out an impressive winner of the Mill Reef Stakes just 16 days later where he had Charyn (Ire) and Shouldvebeenaring (GB) behind him.
Sakheer won two of his seven starts for trainer Roger Varian and reached a career-high rating of 114.
Varian commented, “Sakheer was an exceptional two-year-old and we were all devastated when injury prevented him from fulfilling his potential as a three-year-old. He really had the wow factor and we were privileged to have him in our yard.”
Ballyhane boss Joe Foley added, “I saw Sakheer on the gallops one morning with Roger and it was obvious that he was held in the highest regard. He's a very impressive-looking horse with a big pedigree and I'm just thrilled that he's retiring to Ballyhane.”
KHK Racing will retain some equity in the horse, who is set to join one of the leading first-season sires Sand Of Mali (Fr) at the stud.
KHK's Racing advisor Oliver St Lawrence concluded, “Sakheer had huge talent and we're really excited by what he can do at stud. We'll be very interested to see what he can produce and if he transfers his ability, looks and temperament to his progeny, he should have a very exciting future. We are delighted to partner with Ballyhane who have a terrific record in producing good stallions.”
Sakheer is a half-brother to Group 2 winner Lemista, a multiple Group/Graded winner in Ireland and the USA. A stud fee for Sakheer will be announced at a later date.
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