(Edited press release)
Two-time grade III winner Mustanfar suffered a soft tissue injury to his left front ankle and has been retired to Sheikh Hamdan's Shadwell Farm near Lexington.
An earner of more than $625,000, the homebred by Unbridled—Manwah, by Lyphard won or placed in nine graded stakes on dirt, turf, and synthetic surfaces. Mustanfar's two major scores came in the 2004 Lexington Stakes at Belmont Park and Sycamore Breeders' Cup Stakes (both gr. IIIT) at Keeneland.
He was also second five times in graded stakes company in addition to a third in the 2005 Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. IT).
“Really, he has always run well, but it’s just been one thing or another, he’s never really had a bad race,” said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin of the horse's narrow losses.
Breaking his maiden in his second start at 2, Mustanfar won or placed at seven racetracks across the country.
Mustanfar's dam, Manwah, is a half-sister to European champions Nashwan and Unfuwain, as well as English and Dubai champion and sire Nayef. All are out of the Bustino mare Height of Fashion, who was also an English champion.
The mare's family has continued to produce, as Shadwell’s recent Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (gr. IT) winner Lahudood is out of the Arzari mare Rahayeb, who is a granddaughter of Height of Fashion.
Mustanfar joins additional first year stallions Invasor and Jazil at Shadwell Farm near Lexington. He will stand for $3,000 live foal in 2008.