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In spring 2014, when Shabazz Napier ’14 (CLAS) was close to graduation and the triumphant end of his years at UConn as a two-time national champion point guard on the men’s basketball team, his namesake had just arrived in the UConn horse barns.

Morgan foal UC Shabazz was born March 29, 2014, amid the fervor of March Madness (UConn won in the Sweet Sixteen on March 28 and beat Michigan State March 30 to advance to the Final Four). The choice of his name reflects the excitement that was mounting during his early days on campus, as the men’s basketball team continued their run to the NCAA Championship win on April 7.

The offspring of the mare Friend Charity Rose and stallion UC Doc Sanchez, UC Shabazz is part of the University’s Morgan horse breeding program, which was established in Storrs by the U.S. government when they used to breed horses for cavalry purposes. He is tipped for a productive career at UConn in the training program, and eventually as a lesson horse.