State City, a millionaire Kentucky-bred son of Carson City out of the Nureyev mare Wajna, beat crack U.S. sprinters Avanzado and Captain Squire in the 2003 Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-I) on Dubai World Cup night. State City had 12 starts in the United Arab Emirates with six wins. He was 2003 champion older sprinter on the United Arab Emirates Free Handicap.Taken to the United States, State City was third to Aldebaran in the Tom Fool Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park. He retired with six wins from 17 starts and earnings of $1,375,993.
By Ric ChapmanDarley isn't the only one bringing Sheikh-owned stars into Australia to stand at stud. State City, one of the best sprinters of his era, has been bought by West Australian Turf Club chairman Ted van Heemst to stand at stud in West Australia.Van Heemst shocked everyone last month by buying, then announcing, he'd stand Dubai Excellence (a half-brother to deceased champion Dubai Millennium) in Western Australia, a part of Australia not really known for world class genes. But, he's purchased State City from Sheikh Mohammed, and he too will stand in Western Australia at John Andrew's Alwyn Park Stud near Serpentine.
