Shadwell take Queen's Silver Cup as 2023 statistical award winners announced

The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association today releases details of its annual Flat statistical-based awards for 2023 with Shadwell announced as the winner of the Queen’s Silver Cup for leading British-based Flat breeder.

The awards which are presented at the annual ceremony in July, are calculated from racecourse results throughout the calendar year and include both British and Irish statistics for British-based stallions and breeders.

This is the third occasion that Sheikha Hissa’s Shadwell operation has collected the award, the last back in 2005 and firstly in 1999. The distinctive blue and white colours were carried to success to Group 1 glory by numerous homebreds over the course of 2023, including Al Husn, Hukum and Mostahdaf. Others to add to the tally included Mutasaabeq, Alflaila and Alyanaabi.

Stephen Collins, European Bloodstock Manager for Shadwell commented: “We are delighted to be the recipient of the Queen’s Silver Cup for leading British-based breeder in 2023.

“It’s a testament to Sheikh Hamdan’s vision and legacy which is being carried on by Sheikha Hissa with great success and we are very much looking forward to this prestigious event later in the year. Last year is going to be hard to follow but hopefully Shadwell will have a successful 2024 with some promising horses coming through.”

Claire Sheppard, Chief Executive of the TBA added: “The statistical awards are important in highlighting track success of British based breeders and stallions and we look forward to presenting the winners in person at the annual Flat Season Awards on 10 July.”

The Juddmonte operation came away from the statistical awards dual handed. Last year was another superb season for Frankel and he regained the BBA Silver Cigar Box (awarded to the Leading British-based stallion by earnings), having first won the prize two years previous. The supersire of a generation, his son Chaldean collected the 2,000 Guineas last May and joined his father at Banstead Manor ahead of the upcoming breeding season.

It was also notable for his daughters including Inspiral who captured the Prix Jacques Le Marois, Sun Chariot Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, whilst Nashwa took apart the Falmouth Stakes field.

The leading British-based stallion by Flat winners, the Barleythorpe Stud Silver Cup, went to Kingman who was represented on the track last year by over 100 winners, including the likes of standard-bearer, Kinross. Whilst not counting towards his tally, the son of Invincible Spirit gained new Group 1 winners abroad. Over in France, Feed The Flame (Grand Prix de Paris) and Sauterne (Prix du Moulin) were both top-level winners, whilst down in Australia, Zardozi (Kennedy Oaks) and King Colorado (J J Atkins) had their days in the spotlight.

The final TBA statistical award goes to the Darley team as Too Darn Hot was crowned the leading British-based first season sire by earnings.

The son of Dubawi and the brilliant Dar Re Mi supplied a first-crop top-level winner in the shape of Steve Parkin’s Moyglare Stud Stakes heroine, Fallen Angel. Another homebred, this time of Maurice Reegan’s, Darnation, won the May Hill Stakes, whilst Shadwell’s homebred, the aforementioned Alyanaabi, won the Somerville Tattersall Stakes.

HAVANA GREY TAKES BEBF STALLION SPECIAL MERIT AWARD

Voted by an industry panel, Havana Grey is the recipient of the British European Breeders’ Fund’s Stallion Special Merit Award for results from the 2023 Flat racing season.

The British EBF Stallion Merit Award recognises British-based stallions that reward breeders through value for money, accessibility and performance, without, necessarily, the advantages of large books of mares or the high fees such popularity commands.

Rachel Linsell, British EBF, commented: “The British EBF are delighted to be sponsoring the Stallion Merit Award again this year which recognises the achievements of GB based stallions that reward breeders through value for money, accessibility and performance. Havana Grey, the recipient of the award for the 2023 flat season produced his winners off a stud fee of between £6,000 - £8,000, providing great rewards for owners and breeders.  As one of the panel put it: everything he has done has impressed so far.”

The initial list of nominees is drawn from the British EBF supported Stallion Focus feature in the European Bloodstock News which seeks to highlight milestones and notable performances in the British stallion ranks.

Whitsbury Stud’s Havana Grey in 2023 was represented by his first Group 1 winner in the shape of Middle Park Stakes and Prix Morny hero Vandeek, July Stakes hero Jasour, as well as the Listed winner Shouldvebeenaring, who was also runner-up in the Haydock Park Sprint Cup and third in the Prix de la Foret.

Havana Grey was shortlisted for the award alongside Cracksman, Golden Horn and Sea The Moon.

All five awards will be presented at the annual TBA Flat Breeders’ Awards Evening which will take place at Chippenham Park on Wednesday, 10 July 2024.

Data kindly supplied by Weatherbys.

For more information on the TBA Flat Awards Evening please call 01638 661321 or email [email protected]