30 August 2018, UK ~ Shadwell sadly announces the death of one of its Arabian stallions, CHNDAKA. The son of DORMANE was bred in France from a family that has produced many outstanding racehorses, such as DARIKE, MALIK D’OR, MANIFIK, and KALIF D’OR.
CHNDAKA started his racing career in France, trained by Francis Lopez. At four, he joined the stables of UAE-based trainer Satish Seemar and raced in the colours of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He was very successful at the top-level in the UAE and then travelled to the UK to win the Al Nahyan International Stakes at Kempton Park, later given Group 1 PA status.
Shadwell director Richard Lancaster said: “CHNDAKA was a top racehorse here in Europe and the UAE and then of course became such a success in the USA as a stallion. He has produced good-looking, athletic horses that have excelled in racing all around the world. His memory will live on with the offspring that he has left behind. We are very grateful to Mandolynn Hill Farm for looking after him so well.
Upon his retirement, CHNDAKA was imported to the United-States and stood at stud at Mandolynn Hill Farm in Texas, alongside Shadwell stable mates NIVOUR DE CARDONNE and KAOLINO. During his years there he sired multiple stakes winners and performers in the USA, UAE, Oman and Europe including EXPLOSIVE HEAT MHF (Gr.1), CHARH (Gr.1 PA), REMARKABLE MAN (Gr.1 PA), MUHFUZA FATA (Gr.2), CHRISS SWA (Gr.3), QUEENS RANSOM BVF, CHINAACTIC, GHALLAB, CHNDAKASEXPRESS, MAGHAZI, among many others.
Michelle Morgan, from Mandolynn Hill Farm, commented: “I feel very lucky to have had the privilege to stand CHNDAKA at Mandolynn Hill Farm. If someone asked me to describe CHNDAKA, the first thing to come to my mind was strength but with a gentle eye. This stallion accomplished so much more than most stallions do in their lifetime. He had winners around the world. After spending many years with us, I felt a very special bond with him. He left an empty place on our farm. He will be missed.”
Denise Gault, from RaceStreet Management, helped promoting the stallion during his stud career in the USA: “Imported in 2001 after his successful international race career, CHNDAKA was our first Shadwell stallion to stand in the US. Over 17 years, he sired excellent racehorses in the US and around the world. Handsome, talented, correct, he was the perfect gentleman and passed his great qualities on to his offspring. CHNDAKA will always have a special place in my heart.”
CHNDAKA will always be recognized as one of the greatest and most respected French imports to influence the Arabian racing in the United States as well as in the Middle-East. He will be missed by all.
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