This weekend was dominated by the Aga Khan breeding and racing operation as his colours won no less than seven Group races through the two days, including five Group Is. Injured rider Christophe Lemaire had to miss the meeting due to a collarbone injury sustained in a fall on Friday. His absence brought Christophe Soumillon back onto the racecourse who won the Prix Marcel Boussac aboard Rosanara, for the Aga Khan. The French daily Paris-Turf, titled on the "fabulous seven" writing: "From Manighar to Alandi, and including Varenar, Daryakana, Rosanara, Siyouni and Shalanaya, the colours of the Aga Khan were everywhere at Longchamp, completing a weekend anthology for the princely stables – the result of the efforts of a great breeder who works for the long term." Some of these winning horses have links to the Boussac purchase, with Daryakana hailing from a Boussac family and the presence of Darshaan in the maternal lines of both Alandi and Shalanaya. Others are linked to Lagardère families, with Manighar a son of star stallion Linamix, and Siyouni, who hails from Slickly’s family.
Louis Romanet, Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) states: "The 2009 Arc de Triomphe weekend with its seven victories and the arrival of Sea The Stars at Gilltown Stud is the crowning touch on a fifty-year process, the crown of success. This is the evidence of the success of his bloodlines. When one examines the policy that has been carried forward, it is really the proof of the success of a man who has always had a vision of what he must do, and who has never left things to chance. In parallel with this vision he has always been an exemplary manager. The objective is excellence, but to attain excellence, it is necessary to make use of a great deal of intelligence in the breeding, training and racing policies. It is necessary to put oneself in question when there are harder years, and there must be a perfect coordination and agreement between the teams."
