Dewhurst Stakes winner and sire Mujahid dies aged 30 in Italy

Mujahid’s death creates immediate questions for Italian breeders and international bloodstock markets after Shadwell confirmed on March 3, 2026 that the 1998 Dewhurst Stakes (G1) winner died aged 30 at Allevamento di Besnate near Varese. The Shadwell announcement and social posts placed the stallion’s passing at the stud where he stood since moving to Italy in 2008, and noted his legacy as a seven-time champion sire of Italy and the sire of 32 individual stakes winners.

Foaled January 31, 1996 in the United States and bred by Shadwell Farm, Mujahid raced for owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, was trained by John Dunlop and ridden by Richard Hills in all 12 career starts. His race record reads 12: 3-1-2 with career earnings of £189,134; he won three of four starts at two culminating in a two-length victory over Auction House in the 1998 Dewhurst Stakes and was top-rated European two-year-old that season. As a three-year-old his best performance was a third behind Island Sands in the 2,000 Guineas.

Mujahid began his stallion career at Shadwell’s Beech House Stud where he remained for seven seasons, shuttled to Widden Stud in Australia for a period and then transferred to Allevamento di Besnate in 2008 where he stood until his death. His breeding record includes 32 individual stakes winners and international top-level success through progeny such as Danleigh, whose four top-level victories in Australia included the George Ryder Stakes (G1) and Chipping Norton Stakes (G1), and Cleo Fan, winner of the Premio Presidente della Repubblica (G1) in Italy. Other named winners by Mujahid include Balius, winner of the Jebel Hatta (G2), Starlarks, winner of the San Clemente Handicap (G2T), and Baddam, a dual Royal Ascot winner in 2006.

Paolo Crespi of Allevamento di Besnate told BloodHorse: "He became a big gain for Italy. He is also a very, very good broodmare sire and did very well in Australia in the few years he shuttled. His horses could run forever, every second week, and if you had a racehorse by Mujahid, you would never be let down. His progeny could be running in group, listed, handicap, or even selling races, they would be competitive and totally affordable. His progeny is headed by Danleigh, whose four top-level victories in Australia included the George Ryder (G1) and Chipping Norton Stakes (G1), and Cleo Fan, whose group 1 win came in the Premio Presidente della Repubblica (G1) in Italy. Mujahid's other pattern winners include Jebel Hatta (G2) scorer Balius and San Clemente Handicap (G2T) victor Starlarks."

Shadwell added a note of thanks for the care Mujahid received in Italy, saying "The operation would like to extend its sincere gratitude to Paolo Crespi and his team for the care, attention and diligence shown throughout his time in Italy." Shadwell’s Facebook and Instagram posts echoed the March 3 confirmation, describing Mujahid as the 1998 Dewhurst winner who became a group 1-producing sire at Allevamento di Besnate.

The commercial and cultural implications are tangible: seven champion sire titles in Italy and a 32-stakes-winner tally translated into steady demand for Mujahid-sired stock and enduring influence through his daughters. BloodHorse cites broodmare-sire descendants including Tasaday, a Prix de la Nonette (G2) winner, Lightning Thunder, a dual One Thousand Guineas (G1) runner-up, and Baileys Jubilee, a listed winner and third in the Cheveley Park Stakes (G1), underlining how Mujahid’s genes continued to move through European and Australian pedigrees. His shuttle seasons to Widden Stud and headline Australian winner Danleigh illustrate the cross-border market value he generated.

Mujahid’s passing at Allevamento di Besnate ends a 30-year life that bridged Shadwell’s Beech House Stud, Australian shuttling and a defining chapter in Italian stallion ranks; his impact will persist in the records of Danleigh, Cleo Fan, Balius and the 32 stakes winners and broodmare lines that will shape sales and matings across Europe and Australia for years to come.