Mujahid (USA)
January 31, 1996 – March 3, 2026
Danzig (USA) x Elrafa Ah (USA), by Storm Cat (USA)
Family 9-b
January 31, 1996 – March 3, 2026
Danzig (USA) x Elrafa Ah (USA), by Storm Cat (USA)
Family 9-b
In what appeared to be a rather weak juvenile male division in Europe, Mujahid did enough in a 25-1 upset win in the Dewhurst Stakes (ENG-G1) to be ranked as the best of his age on the International Classifications for 1998. He did not train on as hoped and failed to win again after his Dewhurst success. He became an important stallion in Italy but gained his successes more through turning out good numbers of hardy, honest runners than by siring top-end competitors.
Race record
12 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, US$314,012 (converted from English and French earnings)
1998:
1999:
2000:
Assessments
Highweighted at 123 pounds on the 1998 European Free Handicap for juveniles, 1 pound above second-rated Lujain and 4 pounds above Aljabr, the Cartier Award winner as European champion 2-year-old male.
As an individual
A robust bay horse, Mujahid had a deep girth; a strong, muscular body, and powerful hindquarters in the mold of his maternal grandsire, Storm Cat. He appeared to be somewhat tied in below the knee. As a racer, he was willing to split horses bravely but did not seem to care for firm going. A vigorous, energetic horse up until his death at the age of 30, Mujtahid was a good keeper. Paolo Crespi of Allevamento di Bisnate called him "our friend."
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Mujahid sired 409 winners (49.5%) and 32 stakes winners (3.9%) from 827 named foals of racing age. He was known for getting hardy, honest runners that could withstand frequent racing.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (https://arion.co.nz)
Per The Blood-Horse:
Per the Racing Post:
Notable progeny
Cleo Fan (ITY), Danleigh (AUS), Khyber Kim (GB)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Mujahid was bred by Shadwell Farm and raced for Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum. He was trained by John Dunlop. He Entered stud at Beech House Stud in England in 2001 and shuttled to Widden Stud, Australia, in 2001, 2002, and 2006. After seven seasons, he relocated to Allevamento di Bisnate, Varese, Italy. Mujahid was pensioned from stud duty in December 2018 and died in Italy on March 3, 2026.
Pedigree notes
Mujahid is inbred 2x4 to the breed-shaping sire Northern Dancer, the 1964 Canadian Horse of the Year and American champion 3-year-old male. He is a half brother to Hazimah (by Gone West), whose daughter Marvelous Queen (by Daaher) was the champion sprinter of 2015 in the Dominican Republic.
Mujahid was produced from multiple listed stakes winner Elrafa Ah, whose full sister Girchoop is the second dam of South African Group 3 winner Banner Hill. The dam of Elrafa Ah and Girchoop, Bubbles Darlene (by Fappiano), is a winning half sister to listed stakes winners Miami Slick (by Baldski) and Cielo Otono (by Conquistador Cielo). The last-named mare is the second dam of 2013 Donn Handicap (USA-G1) winner Graydar. Bubbles Darlene is also a half sister to Flambeau (by Dixieland Band), second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Ron the Greek and Grade 2 winner Musket Man.
Bubbles Darlene, in turn, is out of Moment’s Prayer (by multiple Grade 1 winner For the Moment, by What a Pleasure), a winning half sister to the minor stakes winners Silent Prayer (by Binary), Prayer Leader (by Scout Leader), and Zonic (by Swaps). The dam of Moment’s Prayer and her siblings, Prayer Cap (by 1955 Travers Stakes winner Thinking Cap out of the modern foundation mare Sunday Evening, by Better Self) won three minor stakes races and is a half sister to 1969 American champion 2-year-old male Silent Screen (by Prince John) and 1979 Poinsettia Stakes (USA-G3) winner Belladora (by Stage Door Johnny).
Books and media
Footage of Mujahid’s win in the Dewhurst Stakes can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFdngjmwH6A.
Fun facts
Last updated: March 5, 2026
Race record
12 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, US$314,012 (converted from English and French earnings)
1998:
- Won Saudi Arabian Airlines Dewhurst Stakes (ENG-G1, 7FT, Newmarket)
1999:
- 2nd James Seymour Stakes (ENG-L, 10FT, Newmarket)
- 3rd Two Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1, 8FT, Newmarket)
2000:
- 3rd Earl of Sefton Stakes (ENG-G3, 9FT, Newmarket)
Assessments
Highweighted at 123 pounds on the 1998 European Free Handicap for juveniles, 1 pound above second-rated Lujain and 4 pounds above Aljabr, the Cartier Award winner as European champion 2-year-old male.
As an individual
A robust bay horse, Mujahid had a deep girth; a strong, muscular body, and powerful hindquarters in the mold of his maternal grandsire, Storm Cat. He appeared to be somewhat tied in below the knee. As a racer, he was willing to split horses bravely but did not seem to care for firm going. A vigorous, energetic horse up until his death at the age of 30, Mujtahid was a good keeper. Paolo Crespi of Allevamento di Bisnate called him "our friend."
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Mujahid sired 409 winners (49.5%) and 32 stakes winners (3.9%) from 827 named foals of racing age. He was known for getting hardy, honest runners that could withstand frequent racing.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (https://arion.co.nz)
- Led the Italian general sire list in 2015-2018; 2nd in 2012-2014 and 2021; 3rd in 2019 and 2020; 5th in 2022.
- 7th on the Italian broodmare sire list in 2011.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- Led the Italian general sire list seven times.
Per the Racing Post:
- Led the Italian general sire list seven times.
Notable progeny
Cleo Fan (ITY), Danleigh (AUS), Khyber Kim (GB)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Mujahid was bred by Shadwell Farm and raced for Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum. He was trained by John Dunlop. He Entered stud at Beech House Stud in England in 2001 and shuttled to Widden Stud, Australia, in 2001, 2002, and 2006. After seven seasons, he relocated to Allevamento di Bisnate, Varese, Italy. Mujahid was pensioned from stud duty in December 2018 and died in Italy on March 3, 2026.
Pedigree notes
Mujahid is inbred 2x4 to the breed-shaping sire Northern Dancer, the 1964 Canadian Horse of the Year and American champion 3-year-old male. He is a half brother to Hazimah (by Gone West), whose daughter Marvelous Queen (by Daaher) was the champion sprinter of 2015 in the Dominican Republic.
Mujahid was produced from multiple listed stakes winner Elrafa Ah, whose full sister Girchoop is the second dam of South African Group 3 winner Banner Hill. The dam of Elrafa Ah and Girchoop, Bubbles Darlene (by Fappiano), is a winning half sister to listed stakes winners Miami Slick (by Baldski) and Cielo Otono (by Conquistador Cielo). The last-named mare is the second dam of 2013 Donn Handicap (USA-G1) winner Graydar. Bubbles Darlene is also a half sister to Flambeau (by Dixieland Band), second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Ron the Greek and Grade 2 winner Musket Man.
Bubbles Darlene, in turn, is out of Moment’s Prayer (by multiple Grade 1 winner For the Moment, by What a Pleasure), a winning half sister to the minor stakes winners Silent Prayer (by Binary), Prayer Leader (by Scout Leader), and Zonic (by Swaps). The dam of Moment’s Prayer and her siblings, Prayer Cap (by 1955 Travers Stakes winner Thinking Cap out of the modern foundation mare Sunday Evening, by Better Self) won three minor stakes races and is a half sister to 1969 American champion 2-year-old male Silent Screen (by Prince John) and 1979 Poinsettia Stakes (USA-G3) winner Belladora (by Stage Door Johnny).
Books and media
Footage of Mujahid’s win in the Dewhurst Stakes can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFdngjmwH6A.
Fun facts
- In Arabic, “mujahid” derives from a root that means effort, exertion, or striving. A popular boy’s name in Muslim countries, it is commonly used as a term referring to someone engaged in jihad.
Last updated: March 5, 2026