Former Australian-based Stallions Churchill Downs and Eavesdropper Kidnapped in Libya

Mark Smith - Monday January 6

The Blood-Horse reports that the former Blue Gum Farm stallion Churchill Downs and former Emirates Park stallion Eavesdropper (USA) were among six in-foal mares and six stallions stolen in an attack by armed militia at Al Shaab Stud in Libya on January 5.

According to the report everything from veterinary devices and equipment to furniture, generators, jars, and water pumps were looted.

Advertisement

The farm's general manager and equine veterinarian, Dr. Amad Eshaab announced the crime on Twitter on Sunday.

"I am so sad and my heart is broken. … It is my life's work, for my country and countrymen, I preserve the national heritage, and now this terrible assault. It is too cruel," Eshaab's post read.

"Six o'clock yesterday 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," he told BloodHorse. "Then they entered the stallion (barn) and stole six stallions. They continued to steal from six in the evening until eight in the morning.Churchill Downs - image Mark Smith

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

 "We appeal to all humanitarian organizations and all horse organizations to save the horses of Libya."

A stakes-winning son of Kingmambo and a half-brother to AP Indy, Eavesdropper spent six seasons at stud in Australia before being exported to Libya in July 2015, while the Golden Slipper placegetter Churchill Downs stood five seasons, leaving the stakes-winners  Churchill Dancer, Girl Guide and Gold Fields before his export to Libya in May 2012.

Other stallions affected according to the Paulick Report included Brut Force, a Giant's Causeway horse who raced in New Zealand and became a top sire in Libya and Backdraft, a son of Testa Rossa

Advertisment
More Reading...
Aussie Mare Youngstar Produces Rising Japanese Staying Star Eri King
Australian Group I winning half-sisters Youngstar and Funstar are both at stud in Japan and the former has a very smart three year-old colt in Eri King, who won the Group II Kobe Shimbun Hai (2400m) at Hanshin on Sunday.
2025 National Thoroughbred Week Launched
National Thoroughbred Week, the newly launched industry initiative designed to bring the public closer to the thoroughbred and our sport, is excited to confirm a truly trans-Tasman exposure, with hosts confirmed across all Australian and New Zealand regions.
One to Watch – Warrnambool
So You Think is the first sire to hit 40 winners for the season and he did it with a three year-old filly that won easily on debut at Warrnambool on Monday in the Kia Ora Stud colours.
Breednet Follow the Official Sydney 2YO Trials - 4-6
All 2YO heats this morning run at Randwick over 850m with these trials the key factor in deciding fields for the Group III ATC Breeders Plate and Gimcrack Stakes in two weeks time.
Keeneland September Concludes with Record $531.5 Million in Sales
The 2025 Keeneland September Yearling Sale closed Saturday having achieved a defining industry milestone. Over 12 sessions, the sale rewrote records by selling 3,070 horses for a total of $531.5 million: the highest gross ever realized at a Thoroughbred auction worldwide. Historic highlights included 56 yearlings bringing seven figures, besting the previous record of 40 set in 2005 and led by a $3
Written Tycoon Filly Bursts into NZ 1000 Guineas Contention
The Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1400m) was expected to be the weekend’s key pointer for the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), but a spectacular performance on the Ellerslie undercard had its own impact on fixed-odds betting for the Christchurch classic.
Career Best Victory for Wentwood Grange Favourite Yearling
Dean Hawkins admits to shedding a tear or two when With Your Blessing was sold as a yearling.
French G3 Winner for Zoustar
The Group III Prix des Chenes (1600m) at Chantilly in France overnight produced a new stakes-winner for reigning champion Australian sire Zoustar with talented two year-old Oceans Four claiming his first Black Type win.
Kiwi Cup Contender Headed to Australia
Melbourne Cup aspirant Trav secured his plane ticket across the Tasman with a pleasing performance over 2100m at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Monday September 22
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.