Envoi Allen's sire and Group 1-winning miler Muhtathir dies aged 25

Muhtathir, a high-class miler who went on to sire talented jumpers such as Envoi Allen, has died aged 25 due to the infirmities of old age.

Bred by Hamdan Al Maktoum, the son of Elmaamul won a brace of Group 1 contests while under the care of Saeed bin Suroor, namely the Premio Vittorio Di Capua and the Prix Jacques le Marois, in which he saw off Sendawar by three lengths.

He began his racing career with John Gosden and won five races in the Shadwell colours during his two- and three-year-old seasons, including the Group 2 Celebration Mile.

Muhtathir spent the majority of his stud career at Charles-Henri de Moussac's Haras du Mezeray in Normandy. It was from there that he sired his most notable progeny, including the Group 1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Satwa Queen and Doctor Dino, winner of the Man O'War Stakes and back-to-back runnings of the Hong Kong Vase.

Muhtathir stretches his legs in the Haras du Mezeray paddocksCredit: Shadwell Stud

He also enjoyed Group 1 success as a broodmare sire, with his daughters having produced top-level winners such as Prix Royal-Oak and Prix du Cadran scorer Holdthasigreen and the Criterium de Saint-Cloud victors Mkfancy and Robin Of Navan, who now stands at Haras de la Barbottiere.

Later in life, Muhtathir gained a reputation for siring top-class National Hunt performers, having produced the unbeaten Champion Bumper and Ballymore Novices' Hurdle hero Envoi Allen and fellow Grade 1 winners Twinlight and Quel Destin.

His good name with jumps breeders ensured he proved popular even during his 19th and final season on covering duty.

Doctor Dino should ensure that Muhtathir's name remains in the pedigrees of future generations as he himself has developed into a leading National Hunt sire, having produced the likes of La Bague Au Roi, Master Dino, Sharjah and Sceau Royal.

Doctor Dino stood the 2020 breeding season at Haras du Mesnil at €16,000, a figure believed to be a record for a jumps sire.

Envoi Allen: son of Muhtathir storms to victory at the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Patrick McCann

Shadwell stud director Richard Lancaster paid tribute, saying: "Muhtathir was a hugely talented performer on the racecourse and transferred that ability and will to win to his stock. He produced several high-class Flat performers and in his later years became a highly sought-after sire of jumpers.

"He was still hugely popular this year, covering a limited book of 40 mares at €6,000. I must give a special mention to the team at Haras du Mezeray, who did a superb job managing the horse and giving him the platform to flourish in his second career."

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