AL SHAQAB RACING’s top-performing Group-winning colt AL HAKEEM has been retired from racing and will stand at Haras de Bouquetot for the 2025 breeding season.
Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, the son of Siyouni was among the leading French middle-distance horses of his generation. Notable for his impressive physicality and racing prowess, AL HAKEEM secured multiple key victories under the ride of Cristian Demuro, including the prestigious Group 2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville as well as the Listed Prix de Suresnes at Chantilly. He also delivered a noteworthy performance in the Prix du Jockey Club Gr.1 and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Gr.1, finishing fourth in both races behind some of Europe’s finest.
AL HAKEEM sustained a leg injury in early 2023 after being stepped on by another horse during a race. Nevertheless, he returned to winning form the following year, delivering a dominant performance in the Group 3 Prix Gontaut-Biron at Deauville, reaffirming his class and resilience. Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget hailed AL HAKEEM as “a gladiator,” highlighting his exceptional mental and physical qualities, and compared him to his previous Arc winner Sottsass, stating that both shared a similar presence and potential on the track.
Benoit Jeffroy, Haras de Bouquetot’s stud manager, commented,
"We are proud to welcome home AL HAKEEM, an Al Shaqab Racing homebred who was raised at Haras de Bouquetot. He carries an exceptional pedigree, and we are pleased to announce that breeding rights will be offered for sale. Breeders interested in this new stallion should contact our nominations team."
Despite his injury-shortened campaign, AL HAKEEM’s resilience and top-level performances have secured him a place at Haras de Bouquetot, where he will begin his career as a stallion.
"AL HAKEEM is a horse of great heart and courage, and his ability to recover from such a serious injury and return to Group-winning form speaks volumes about his character," Rouget remarked. “He has all the attributes of a future champion sire.”
His stud fee will be announced at a later date. For further information, please contact the nominations team at Haras de Bouquetot.
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