Ajdal (USA)
April 2, 1984 – August 1988
Northern Dancer (CAN) x Native Partner (USA), by Raise a Native (USA)
Family 7
April 2, 1984 – August 1988
Northern Dancer (CAN) x Native Partner (USA), by Raise a Native (USA)
Family 7
The highest-priced buy-back in racing history until 2008, Ajdal justified the value placed on him by his connections by becoming the top European sprinter of 1987 after proving unsuited to Classic distances. Unfortunately, he lived to sire only one crop of foals before dying as a 4-year-old.
Race record
11 starts, 7 wins, 0 seconds, 1 third, US$383,227 (includes converted English earnings)
1986:
1987:
Honors
Assessments
Rated at 130 pounds by Timeform in 1986, second only to Reference Point (at 132 pounds) among European juveniles of 1986. Ajdal was also rated second to Reference Point among European juveniles on the International Classification for 1986.
Rated at 130 pounds by Timeform in 1987, best among European sprinters.
Rated at 127 pounds on the International Classification for 1987, third behind Reference Point and Trempolino among European 3-year-old males but best among sprinters of all ages.
As an individual
A strongly-made bay horse, Ajdal was considered exceptionally handsome. He possessed an extremely sharp turn of speed.
As a stallion
Ajdal sired 35 foals, of which two won stakes races. Three of his daughters produced Group 1 winners.
Notable progeny
Cezanne (GB)
Connections
Foaled in Maryland, Ajdal was bred by Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., and was privately purchased by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum after being bought back by his breeder for a record US$7.5 million at the 1985 Keeneland July yearling sale. He was trained by Sir Michael Stoute. After being syndicated at a valuation of £7.2 million (approximately US$11.95 million at the exchange rates then in effect) prior to the 1987 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (FR-G1), Ajdal entered stud in 1988 at Sheikh Mohammed's Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket, England, and was euthanized after shattering a hind leg in August 1988.
Pedigree notes
Ajdal is inbred 3x3 to two-time American Horse of the Year and important sire Native Dancer. He is a full brother to Farewell Partner, who never raced but produced 1997 Stars and Stripes Breeders' Cup Turf Handicap (USA-G3) winner Lakeshore Road (by Alleged) and multiple listed stakes winner Secret Partner (by Rahy; dam of stakes winner Malitzin, by Dynaformer). He is also a full brother to Tennis Partner, also unraced but the second dam of 2009 Oakleigh Plate (AUS-G1) winner Swiss Ace.
Ajdal is a half brother to 1977 William Hill Middle Park Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Formidable (by Forli), to 1982 Fantasy Stakes (USA-G1) winner Flying Partner (by Hoist the Flag; second dam of 1993 Canadian champion turf horse Hero's Love) and to 1978 Prix de Pomone (FR-G3) winner Fabuleux Jane (by Le Fabuleux). The last-named mare is the dam of 1998 Early Times Turf Classic (USA-G1) winner Joyeux Danseur (by Nureyev), 1987 Anne Arundel Handicap (USA-G3) winner Doubles Partner (by Damascus; third dam of Grade 2 winner Let), French stakes winner Fabuleux Dancer (by Nijinsky II), and Group 3-placed Danseur Fabuleux (by Northern Dancer). Danseur Fabuleux, in turn, is the dam of 1991 European Horse of the Year and American champion juvenile Arazi (by Blushing Groom) and 2001 Champagne Lanson Sussex Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Noverre (by Rahy). Through other daughters, Fabuleux Jane is also the second dam of Grade 3 winner Silent Roar and the third dam of Australian Group 3 winner Lovemelikearock.
In addition, Ajdal is a half brother to two other notable broodmares. The more important of them is Key Partner (by Key to the Mint), dam of 1985 Matchmaker Stakes (USA-G2) winner Key Dancer (by Nijinsky II; second dam of Japanese Group 2 winner Smart Robin) and her full sister, Grade 2-placed listed stakes winner Key Flyer, whose grandson Suzuka Mambo won the spring edition of the 2005 Tenno Sho (Emperor's Cup). Through another Nijinsky II daughter, Dancing Key, Key Partner is the second dam of two-time Japanese champions Dance Partner and Dance in the Mood and 1996 Japanese champion 3-year-old male Dance in the Dark; and is the third dam of Japanese Group 2 winner Federalist and Japanese Group 3 winner Dance Fantasia.
The other noteworthy half sister to Ajdal, Bev Bev (by Nijinsky II), was Group 3-placed as a racer and is the dam of Group 3-placed listed stakes winner Spectacular Bev (by Spectacular Bid). She is also the second dam of 2014 Indian champion older male Machiavellianism, 2004 John A. Morris Handicap (USA-G1) winner Link River, English Group 3 winner Stelvio, and Grade 3 winner Sterling Pound. In addition, she is the third dam of Grade 2 winner Exchange Rate (a successful sire) and English Group 3 winner Sabre d'Argent.
Ajdal was produced from 1970 Maskette Handicap winner Native Partner, a full sister to multiple stakes winner Bill Bonbright. Produced from the stakes winner and excellent broodmare Dinner Partner (by Tom Fool), Native Partner is also a half sister to 1971 Santa Anita Derby winner Jim French (by Graustark), to English stakes winner Triomphe (by Hoist the Flag); and to 1981 Prix de Royallieu (FR-G3) winner Don't Sulk (by Graustark), dam of1999 Prix Lupin (FR-G1) winner Gracioso, 1995 Bay Meadows Handicap (USA-G2) winner Caesour, and English stakes winner Professional Girl, all by Nureyev, and third dam of Group 3 winners Puppeteer, Peligroso, and Prakasa, In addition, Native Partner is a half sister to stakes-placed Dance Partner, dam of 1994 Royal Whip (IRE-G3) winner Dancing Sunset (by Red Sunset) and multiple stakes winner Truly (by In Reality) and third dam of Group 3 winners Tropical Paradise and Harlem Shake. Fleeing Partner (by Fleet Nasrullah), another half sister to Native Partner, is the dam of multiple stakes winner Varick (by Mr. Prospector).
Books and media
Ajdal is one of 75 Thoroughbred stallions profiled in Tony Morris's The Stallions (1990, The Crowood Press).
Fun facts
Last updated: August 18, 2022
Race record
11 starts, 7 wins, 0 seconds, 1 third, US$383,227 (includes converted English earnings)
1986:
- Won William Hill Dewhurst Stakes (ENG-G1, 7FT, Newmarket)
1987:
- Won Norcros July Cup (ENG-G1, 6FD, Newmarket)
- Won William Hill Sprint Championship (ENG-G1, 5FD, York)
- Won Vernons Sprint Cup (ENG-G2, 6FD, Haydock)
- Won Craven Stakes (ENG-G3, 7FT, Newmarket)
Honors
- English champion sprinter (1987)
- French champion sprinter (1987)
- Maryland-bred champion 3-year-old male (1987)
Assessments
Rated at 130 pounds by Timeform in 1986, second only to Reference Point (at 132 pounds) among European juveniles of 1986. Ajdal was also rated second to Reference Point among European juveniles on the International Classification for 1986.
Rated at 130 pounds by Timeform in 1987, best among European sprinters.
Rated at 127 pounds on the International Classification for 1987, third behind Reference Point and Trempolino among European 3-year-old males but best among sprinters of all ages.
As an individual
A strongly-made bay horse, Ajdal was considered exceptionally handsome. He possessed an extremely sharp turn of speed.
As a stallion
Ajdal sired 35 foals, of which two won stakes races. Three of his daughters produced Group 1 winners.
Notable progeny
Cezanne (GB)
Connections
Foaled in Maryland, Ajdal was bred by Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., and was privately purchased by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum after being bought back by his breeder for a record US$7.5 million at the 1985 Keeneland July yearling sale. He was trained by Sir Michael Stoute. After being syndicated at a valuation of £7.2 million (approximately US$11.95 million at the exchange rates then in effect) prior to the 1987 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (FR-G1), Ajdal entered stud in 1988 at Sheikh Mohammed's Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket, England, and was euthanized after shattering a hind leg in August 1988.
Pedigree notes
Ajdal is inbred 3x3 to two-time American Horse of the Year and important sire Native Dancer. He is a full brother to Farewell Partner, who never raced but produced 1997 Stars and Stripes Breeders' Cup Turf Handicap (USA-G3) winner Lakeshore Road (by Alleged) and multiple listed stakes winner Secret Partner (by Rahy; dam of stakes winner Malitzin, by Dynaformer). He is also a full brother to Tennis Partner, also unraced but the second dam of 2009 Oakleigh Plate (AUS-G1) winner Swiss Ace.
Ajdal is a half brother to 1977 William Hill Middle Park Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Formidable (by Forli), to 1982 Fantasy Stakes (USA-G1) winner Flying Partner (by Hoist the Flag; second dam of 1993 Canadian champion turf horse Hero's Love) and to 1978 Prix de Pomone (FR-G3) winner Fabuleux Jane (by Le Fabuleux). The last-named mare is the dam of 1998 Early Times Turf Classic (USA-G1) winner Joyeux Danseur (by Nureyev), 1987 Anne Arundel Handicap (USA-G3) winner Doubles Partner (by Damascus; third dam of Grade 2 winner Let), French stakes winner Fabuleux Dancer (by Nijinsky II), and Group 3-placed Danseur Fabuleux (by Northern Dancer). Danseur Fabuleux, in turn, is the dam of 1991 European Horse of the Year and American champion juvenile Arazi (by Blushing Groom) and 2001 Champagne Lanson Sussex Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Noverre (by Rahy). Through other daughters, Fabuleux Jane is also the second dam of Grade 3 winner Silent Roar and the third dam of Australian Group 3 winner Lovemelikearock.
In addition, Ajdal is a half brother to two other notable broodmares. The more important of them is Key Partner (by Key to the Mint), dam of 1985 Matchmaker Stakes (USA-G2) winner Key Dancer (by Nijinsky II; second dam of Japanese Group 2 winner Smart Robin) and her full sister, Grade 2-placed listed stakes winner Key Flyer, whose grandson Suzuka Mambo won the spring edition of the 2005 Tenno Sho (Emperor's Cup). Through another Nijinsky II daughter, Dancing Key, Key Partner is the second dam of two-time Japanese champions Dance Partner and Dance in the Mood and 1996 Japanese champion 3-year-old male Dance in the Dark; and is the third dam of Japanese Group 2 winner Federalist and Japanese Group 3 winner Dance Fantasia.
The other noteworthy half sister to Ajdal, Bev Bev (by Nijinsky II), was Group 3-placed as a racer and is the dam of Group 3-placed listed stakes winner Spectacular Bev (by Spectacular Bid). She is also the second dam of 2014 Indian champion older male Machiavellianism, 2004 John A. Morris Handicap (USA-G1) winner Link River, English Group 3 winner Stelvio, and Grade 3 winner Sterling Pound. In addition, she is the third dam of Grade 2 winner Exchange Rate (a successful sire) and English Group 3 winner Sabre d'Argent.
Ajdal was produced from 1970 Maskette Handicap winner Native Partner, a full sister to multiple stakes winner Bill Bonbright. Produced from the stakes winner and excellent broodmare Dinner Partner (by Tom Fool), Native Partner is also a half sister to 1971 Santa Anita Derby winner Jim French (by Graustark), to English stakes winner Triomphe (by Hoist the Flag); and to 1981 Prix de Royallieu (FR-G3) winner Don't Sulk (by Graustark), dam of1999 Prix Lupin (FR-G1) winner Gracioso, 1995 Bay Meadows Handicap (USA-G2) winner Caesour, and English stakes winner Professional Girl, all by Nureyev, and third dam of Group 3 winners Puppeteer, Peligroso, and Prakasa, In addition, Native Partner is a half sister to stakes-placed Dance Partner, dam of 1994 Royal Whip (IRE-G3) winner Dancing Sunset (by Red Sunset) and multiple stakes winner Truly (by In Reality) and third dam of Group 3 winners Tropical Paradise and Harlem Shake. Fleeing Partner (by Fleet Nasrullah), another half sister to Native Partner, is the dam of multiple stakes winner Varick (by Mr. Prospector).
Books and media
Ajdal is one of 75 Thoroughbred stallions profiled in Tony Morris's The Stallions (1990, The Crowood Press).
Fun facts
- Ajdal's record as the most expensive buyback in Thoroughbred auction history stood until 2008, when Michael Paulson went to $7.7 million to retain a yearling colt by A.P. Indy out of Azeri at the Keeneland September yearling sale. Originally named Vallenzeri (the name was later changed to Take Control), the colt was later sold to Kaleem Shah at the 2009 Keeneland April sale of 2-year-olds in training. Take Control was a victim of repeated injuries and never lived up to his promise before suffering a fatal breakdown in a workout on October 17, 2013, at Santa Anita Park.
- Ajdal was beaten only once at distances of less than a mile, this in the 1987 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (FR-G1) when he ran seventh of nine after getting a poor draw for the start and seeming unsuited by the firm going. He was unplaced in all three of his starts at a mile or more, though he actually finished third in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1) and was disqualified from the placing because his jockey failed to weigh in after the race as required by the rules of racing.
- Ajdal means “handsome” in Arabic.
Last updated: August 18, 2022