Connections have called time on the career of their star-sprinter Khaadem following his down the field effort at Royal Ascot last month.
Owned by Fitri Hay, the ten-year-old won 10 of his 47 career starts. Khaadem made his debut in 2018, finishing third to Calyx, who sired a winner at the Royal meeting last month. Khaadem’s three-year-old season saw him collect listed honours, beating Oxted in the Carnarvon Stakes.
Finishing fourth twice in Group 1 company a year later, it was evident Khaadem was developing into a high class sprinter. The son of Dark Angel improved with age, winning his first Group 1 as a seven-year-old when landing the QEII Stakes in 2023.
Khaadem replicated that success in 2024, becoming the first horse since Right Boy in 1959 to do so. He remained at the top level as early as last season, winning a Group 2 at Keeneland before finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint Turf.
With recent form figures of 0900, Charlie Hills was keen to bring the curtain down on a memorable career.
He’s been a cracking horse, and probably a horse in a lifetime for us’ – Charlie Hills
Speaking to the Racing Post, Charlie Hills, whose father trained Khaadem’s sire Dark Angel, said: “A decision was made after Royal Ascot. He pulled up fine, and he’s as sound as a pound. But there’s only so long you can keep racing for. He’s been a cracking horse, and probably a horse of a lifetime for us.
“He’s been consistently running at the top level for so many years, and he won an incredible amount of prize-money as well as travelling the world. He had his quirks at times, but he loved fast ground.”
Charlie Hills has had some remarkable sprinters come through his care, but suggested Khaadem is deservedly among those. Hills said: “He’s right up there. Muhaarar, Chriselliam and Battaash were all pretty special. But Khaadem was too and he’s probably won more prize-money than any of them. It was amazing for him to do what he did at Ascot, at his age and at that level.”
Hills continued: “He’s very sound, and he got sounder as he got older. In his early days, he had foot problems. But the farriers did a fantastic job with him and he grew out of them. He was great with the kids growing up, and having him around the place all the time was fantastic.”