MUSTAAQEEM, the 2017 Equus Champion two-year-old colt, may have come to a premature end to his racing career.

Mustaaqeem (14-10 favourite), faded steadily over the final 300m of Saturday’s Gr3 Man O’War Sprint over 1100m, finishing near eight lengths off the surprise winner Pinnacle Peak. He was found to have bled, which explains his surprise weakening in the race.

A disappointed Mike de Kock, speaking from the Inglis Easter Sale in Australia, said on Sunday: “This was like a bolt of lightning to us, Mustaaqeem has never before shown signs of bleeding. He’s had knee problems, chips were removed, but he’s recovered and barring some stiffness after his comeback run he was doing well in work at home.”

De Kock said that Angus Gold, Racing Manager to Sheikh Hamdan of Dubai, will be discussing Mustaaqeem’s future with the Sheikh. They could well decide that Mustaaqeem be sent to stud without going to the racetrack again.

“Mustaaqeem is a very good and valuable horse and as we know his full-brother Rafeef has been well accepted at stud in South Africa. His blood will be good for the South African breeding industry. I don’t foresee a problem with full-brothers at stud in the same country. They are different horses and will produce different types of progeny.

“Nothing has been finalised yet, however. It is up to Sheikh Hamdan to make the call. We’ll be hoping Mustaaqeem stays in South Africa.”

Mustaaqeem, by Redoute’s Choice from National Colour, has won two from four, including the Gr1 SA Nursery by four lengths.