Champion sprinter Almeraq retired to stud

Shadwell Stud has withdrawn Almeraq from racing less than a week after his British Champions Sprint victory. The four-year-old stallion will stand at Shadwell's Beech House Stud for the 2027 season.

Almeraq, a son of Dark Angel, won three Group 1 races over six furlongs this season with trainer William Haggas and jockey Tom Marquand. He took the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Sprint Cup at Haydock by more than four lengths. On Saturday he also won the British Champions Sprint.

The season is all the more remarkable given what happened in September 2025. At York, in a Listed race, Almeraq clipped the heels of the horse in front of him and fell heavily. The horses largely escaped unhurt. The two jockeys involved in the incident, Jim Crowley, who has since retired, and Trevor Whelan, have not ridden since that day.

Haggas pointed to the horse's strong build, speed and sound temperament. The trainer said that returning from the York fall to win three Group 1 races showed the horse's mental strength.

Shadwell racing manager Angus Gold, for his part, thanked Haggas and his team. Gold recalled that Almeraq won on fast ground at Royal Ascot, on soft ground at Haydock and on good ground at Ascot, where he beat Paborus.