By Carl Di lorio

2006 Golden Slipper third placegetter Churchill Downs is one of 12 horses stolen at gunpoint from Al Shaab Stud in Libya on Sunday.

The general manager and veterinarian at Al Shaab, Dr. Amad Eshaab, announced the news through Twitter, declaring that six in-foal mates and six stallions had been taken away by armed militia.

Eshaab further explained to American-based website BloodHorse how the stud was raided.

“Six o'clock yesterday (Sunday) an armed group came from the Tarhuna city, militia loyal to Haftar. They stole six in-foal (mares) that are about to give birth this January or February," Eshaab said.

“Then they entered the stallion (barn) and stole six stallions. They continued to steal from six in the evening until eight in the morning.

"They shot two horses (who) were wounded in the legs … no one could provide the ambulance to help the horse with euthanasia," he added.

Churchill Downs registered his biggest win on the racetrack in the G2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at The Valley in September 2006 in highly controversial circumstances when jockey Craig Williams successfully protested against Magic Albert on grounds of 'intimidation'.

Churchill Downs is the sire of Australian stakes winners Gold Fields and Girl Guide and was exported to Libya in May 2012. Other stallions stolen from Al Ahaab Stud were Eavesdropper, Brut Force, Backdraft and Raise A Grand.

Libya has experienced civil war since 2014. The stud is located near Tripoli with military activity increasing between batting factions around Libya’s capital.

News of Al Shaab Stud being raided comes within weeks of four thoroughbred stallions being killed in Peru.

Boris Schwartzman, the owner of stud farm Haras Barlovento, has since signaled his intention to disperse the remaining horses on the property and close the 68-year-old business which won the Derby Nacional (the Peruvian Derby) on six occasions between 1963 and 1976.
 

This article first appeared on Racing.com and is reprinted here with their kind permission. To find out more about Racing Victoria's Off the Track program, visit rv.racing.com/the-horse/off-the-track.

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