Saturday 25 June 2016
HARZAND confirmed today he is one of the best colts of his generation when winning the Gr.1 Irish Derby at the Curragh. The colt jumped out well and was placed in third position behind his leader Ebediyin. His jockey Pat Smullen started progressing at the entrance of the straight and HARZAND showed great class and courage to fight off Idaho and win by half a length, with more than three lengths back to the third Stellar Mass. “He has such courage and determination–I needed him to dig deep for me and he did,” his rider commented. “This matches Epsom. The pressure was on today and we pulled it off.”
His trainer Dermot Weld said: "A lot of people thought HARZAND didn't have speed but he showed today that he had. He's a proper horse and the first two picked up and really quickened. Pat [Smullen] gave him a great ride. It's been a very special day. The horse will have a good break now and will be aimed at the Arc."
HARZAND remains unbeaten this year and becomes the fifth colt bred and owned by H.H. the Aga Khan to win both the Epsom and the Irish Derbies. He follows in the footsteps of the mighty SHERGAR, Shahrastani, Kahyasi and Sinndar, who subsequently won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
H.H. the Aga Khan declared after the race: "It's wonderful to have my 6th Irish Derby winner, I am deeply attached to Irish racing."
He comes from the third crop of Champion SEA THE STARS, himself a winner of the Epsom Derby, who is also responsible for the third in the Irish Derby this year, Stellar Mass. HARZAND is a brother to two Stakes winners, Gr.1 placed and Gr.3 winner Harasiya and Listed winner Hazarafa. His dam Hazariya (Xaar) is a Gr.3 winning sister to the Gr.1 Irish Oaks third Hazarista.
Updated on 25/06/2016.
