Gutaifan (IRE)

The Central European stallion roster for the 2026 breeding season will be enriched by a truly exciting new name. The Dióspuszta Thoroughbred Stud has added GUTAIFAN (b. 2013), a son of Dark Angel, to its stallion lineup.

Racing performance:

The grey stallion raced in the colours of the Qatar ruling family, Al Shaqab. He was sent into training with Richard Hannon, who is widely renowned for his exceptional handling of two-year-olds. Gutaifan proved to be ideally suited to this program, as thanks to his precocity he achieved his greatest successes at two. He made seven career starts in total—four in England and three in France—and during his one-season racing career he recorded four victories. After beginning his career with a second place in a maiden, he followed up with two wins in England. He then travelled to Maisons-Laffitte in France, where he won one of the most important races for elite two-year-olds, the 1100-metre Group 2 Prix Robert Papin, with Frankie Dettori in the saddle. Following this success, he was stepped up to Group 1 company in the premier two-year-old contest of the August Deauville meeting, the 1200-metre Prix Morny, where he finished second behind his stable companion, now also a stallion, Shalaa. In September, he added another Group 2 victory to his record by winning the 1000-metre Flying Childers Stakes.

Sire:

Gutaifan—like his sire, the multiple British Champion Sire Dark Angel (by Acclamation)—raced exclusively at two years of age, not due to any health or soundness issues, but for commercial reasons. This proved to be an excellent decision, as he began his stud career in 2016 at Ireland’s Yeomanstown Stud at a fee of €12,500, covering more than 200 mares in his first season. He remained one of the most popular stallions the following year as well, covering over 150 mares. After five Irish seasons, he relocated to France, standing at Haras des Faunes.

It is hoped that Gutaifan will bring fresh impetus to Hungarian and Central European breeding. In the region, including the Czech Republic, his successful progeny include Surabaya, Bacora, and Salt Mix, the latter being the winner of the 75th Jarní Cena Klisen Města Mostu (L) in 2023, the Czech Oaks for fillies.

In Hungary, he is represented by champion sprinter Vain Hope, a horse who has also succeeded internationally. Among his achievements are victories in the Tattersalls–Overdose Prize (HUN Gd-2) in both 2021 and 2023, as well as the Kozma Ferenc Memorial Race (HUN Gd-2) in the same years. He has also recorded multiple international wins, including the €6,500 Premio Camillo Dubini over 1200 metres, a traditional preparatory race within the Milan autumn/winter racing season. This performance was rated 90 by the Italian racing authorities.

We must not overlook Gutaifan’s Western European progeny either. Chief among them is Fev Rover (IRE), rated 118 RPR by Racing Post. Her major achievements include victories in the E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1) and the Shadwell Prix du Calvados (G2), as well as a third-place finish in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas (G1). In 2023 she was named Horse of the Year and Champion Turf Filly in Canada.
Also worthy of mention are Graceful Magic (GB)—second in the Firth of Clyde Stakes (G3); Sardinia Sunset (IRE)—winner of the Marygate Stakes (L); and Soprano Poseidone (IRE)—winner of the Premio Campobello (L). According to the official Racing Post database, Gutaifan already has more than eleven progeny rated above 100 RPR.

The majority of his offspring are sprinters, but he has also sired successful performers over middle and even extended distances, and not only on the Flat but over jumps as well.

Pedigree:

His sire, Dark Angel (IRE), has been the reigning Champion Sire in Great Britain for five consecutive years, largely thanks to his outstanding sprinter and miler progeny. Like his son, he raced exclusively at two, already showing exceptional ability at that stage. From nine starts he won four races, including the St Leger Yearling Stakes, the Mill Reef Stakes, and the Middle Park Stakes.
Dark Angel retired to stud in 2008 at a fee of €10,000. His first crop numbered over 100 foals, yet his fee dropped to €7,000 by 2011. As his progeny began to excel, however, his reputation grew rapidly. In 2021 and 2022 he ranked among the top five stallions, while in 2020—Galileo’s final year—he was already third overall, and last year he stood second behind Frankel. It should be noted that between 2020 and 2024 he was Champion Sire in the sprinter and miler categories.
Among his champion progeny as racehorses are Charyn (IRE), Harris Angel (IRE), Battaash (IRE), Mecca’s Angel (IRE), Lethal Force (IRE), and Angel Bleu (FR). His stud fee at Yeomanstown Stud for the 2025 season was €60,000.

Gutaifan’s dam, Alikhlas (GB), raced ten times during her career, recording one victory—the Chippendale Maiden Fillies’ Stakes—and four placings. She is by Lahib (USA), a son of the renowned Blushing Groom (USA), out of Mathaayl (USA), a daughter of Shaadeed (USA).

Pedigree: