Dark Angel half-brother Almanaara recruited to Mickley Stud

Almanaara, the only half-brother to leading sire Dark Angel, has been retired from racing and will stand at Mickley Stud in Shropshire for 2021.

The seven-year-old son of Shamardal, a winner in Ireland for Dermot Weld, is out of Midnight Angel, an unraced daughter of Machiavellian and famously the dam of Group 1 winner and top sire Dark Angel plus the Listed-winning Angel's Pursuit.

Almanaara then moved to Doug Watson's Dubai yard in 2017, where he notched up a further three wins and was placed on two further occasions.

Having sported the colours of Hamdan Al Maktoum earlier on in his career, he is now owned by Malih Al Basti, who owns, breeds and races horses across the UK and Dubai.

Dark Angel: a prolific sireCredit: Peter Mooney

Richard Kent, who founded the stud in 2005 said: “We're very pleased that Almanaara is standing here at Mickley Stud. He is a kind, well balanced horse who we thought would be a suitable stallion when we saw him winning in Dubai back in January.

“He offers a fantastic bloodline which at the moment is a most successful one and will give breeders, particularly those based in the north of England, a chance to use very successful blood at an affordable price. We would welcome anyone who would wish to view him.”

Almanaara will join Hungerford Stakes winner and 2,000 Guineas runner-up Massaat - a half-brother to Eqtidaar - plus seasoned sire Heeraat and the dual-purpose Yorgunnabelucky on the roster.

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