Dual Group 1 Winner Ghanaati Dies at Age 20

Shadwell's dual group 1 winner Ghanaati, the brilliant classic heroine who later became a successful broodmare, has died at the age of 20. Bred by Shadwell Farm in Kentucky, the daughter of Giant's Causeway was trained by Barry Hills and announced herself as one of the outstanding fillies of her generation with victories in the 2009 One Thousand Guineas Stakes (G1) and Coronation Stakes (G1). Having won her maiden by 6 lengths at 2 in 2008, Ghanaati returned on her seasonal debut to spring a surprise in the One Thousand Guineas at Newmarket, scoring by 1 1/2 lengths under Richard Hills. Her winning time remains the fastest recorded in either of the Newmarket classics. She confirmed that display at Royal Ascot the following month, landing the Coronation Stakes by 2 lengths in course-record time, the second-fastest running of the race. She went on to become an important member of Shadwell's broodmare band, producing group 2 winner Mutasaabeq (GB), group 3 scorer Wafy, and 2019 Royal Hunt Cup winner Afaak. Reflecting on her career, Shadwell racing manager Angus Gold said: "Ghanaati was a fabulous racemare who gave us two special days in the spring and summer of 2009, winning the One Thousand Guineas in impressive fashion on her first start that year and then going on to Royal Ascot where she showed she had improved by blitzing the Coronation Stakes on the day that Barry Hills was released from hospital after a lengthy spell of illness. "As a granddaughter of Height of Fashion, she was particularly close to Sheikh Hamdan's heart, and his family was very sad to hear of her death, and we will always remember her as a top-class miler and an outstanding Guineas winner."