Muhtathir, a top-class miler who developed into a leading sire, has died aged 25 due to the infirmities of old age.
Bred by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, the son of Elmaamul will be best remembered for his Group 1 victories in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville and in the Premio Vittorio Di Capua at San Siro when trained by Saeed bin Suroor.
Muhtathir began his career with John Gosden, for whom he won five races across two seasons in Sheikh Hamdan's silks – his biggest success coming in the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood.
The imposing chestnut was transferred to the yard of Saeed bin Suroor for his 4-year-old campaign, during which he tasted top-flight glory in Italy. However, it was as a five-year-old that he gained his biggest success when striding clear to take the Prix Jacques le Marois by three lengths under Frankie Dettori.
Muhtathir stood at Charles-Henri de Moussac's Haras du Mezeray in Normandy for most of his stud career, which has yielded a host of talented flat performers headed by Prix de l'Opera heroine Satwa Queen and top-class middle distance performer Doctor Dino, who is now a leading jumps sire in France.
In recent years, Muhtathir has made a significant impact as a sire of jumpers, producing the likes of dual Cheltenham Festival winner Envoi Allen and Grade 1-winning hurdler Quel Destin.
Shadwell Stud director, Richard Lancaster, said: “Muhtathir was a hugely talented performer on the racecourse and transferred that ability and will to win to his stock.
“He produced several high-class flat performers and in his later years became a highly sought-after sire of jumpers. He was still hugely popular this year, covering a limited book of 40 mares at €6,000 (US$7,077)
“I must give a special mention to the team at Haras du Mezeray, who did a superb job managing the horse and giving him the platform to flourish in his second career.”
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