Friday 28 January 2005
The Aga Khan bred Hirapour was sold out of John Oxx’s yard at the 1999 Tattersalls Autumn Sale. After a successful hurdling career for Ian Williams in England, the gelding was transferred to America.
In 2004 Hirapour won the Grade 1 Royal Chase Handicap at Keeneland in a course record time before breaking another course record to win the Grade 1 Colonial Cup in November. His trainer Paul Fout commented on Hirapour: “he’s as tough a horse as I’ve ever ridden or trained. He gives you 100 percent every time”.
Earlier in the month Daylami’s classic winning son, Grey Swallow was rated 123 in the International Classifications. He was rated equal to the Aga Khan owned Azamour. Both therefore become the highest rated Irish trained 3yos of 2004.
