About us
Nurturing a Legacy
From its inception, Shadwell has become a byword for quality and success in the breeding and racing of thoroughbreds, delivering a succession of champions.
At the same time as the famous colours were becoming an increasingly constant presence in major international races, a number of leading stud farms were acquired and developed with the simple aim of breeding and rearing the finest thoroughbreds in the world.
This started with the purchase of Derrinstown Stud in Ireland followed by Shadwell Estate in the UK and Shadwell Farm in the USA. These farms remain the backbone of the operation’s global success.
Our founder
Over the course of his four decades as an owner and breeder, Sheikh Hamdan became one of the most influential figures in international horseracing. His blue and white silks have been carried to success in major races all over the world, including by two homebred colts in the Derby.
He was champion Flat owner in Britain on nine occasions, the first in 1990 and the last in 2020. He left an equine legacy in the shape of world champion Baaeed, a horse whose pedigree traces, on the sire’s side, to Green Desert, the first stallion stood by Shadwell in the UK, and, on the dam’s side, to Height of Fashion, the foundation mare bought by Sheikh Hamdan in 1982.
Revered for his kindness and loyalty as well as for his in-depth knowledge of the thoroughbred, he died in 2021 at the age of 75.
Our locations
UK
The Shadwell Estate in Norfolk was acquired in 1984 and the adjacent Nunnery Stud in 1986. Nearby in Newmarket, Beech House Stud, home to the UK based Shadwell stallions, was purchased in 1990.
Ireland
Derrinstown Stud, in Co Kildare, was purchased in 1982 along with other farms in the area. Its prime pastures provide the ideal environment for rearing thoroughbreds. Derrinstown stands the Irish based Shadwell stallions.
USA
Shadwell Farm in Lexington, Kentucky was established in 1985 on limestone-rich soil famous for rearing racehorses. It has foaled and raised a number of Shadwell champions.
Horse Welfare and Aftercare
Respect and admiration for the thoroughbred runs deep for all those connected to Shadwell. Consequently, ensuring the highest standards of care throughout a horse’s life is of the utmost importance.
The welfare of all our horses comes first, whether they are on our farms, in training or those we are helping find a second career for. The love of the thoroughbred is what drove our founder, Sheikh Hamdan, to develop Shadwell and it has inspired his daughter, Sheikha Hissa, to follow in his footsteps.
