Monday 16 September 2019
The Aga Khan Studs enjoyed a fine weekend across France, Ireland and England with successes for their stallions and colours. Star Catcher and Sottsass provided the highlights at ParisLongchamp while TARNAWA continued her progression with Group 2 victory at the Curragh.
SEA THE STARS’ Irish Oaks heroine Star Catcher impressed when securing the Prix Vermeille in a front-running performance under Frankie Dettori. Trained by John Gosden for owner/breeder Anthony Oppenheimer, Star Catcher was winning her third Group race after the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Irish Oaks. She could now be aimed towards the Fillies and Mares Champion Stakes at Ascot or the Breeders’ Cup and she may well remain in training next season at four years old.
Gilltown Stud stallion SEA THE STARS had been to the fore in previous days in England, thanks to champion stayer Stradivarius who recorded a tenth consecutive win in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup, and also to Sextant who carried the colours of HRH The Queen to victory in the Listed Sportpresa Stand Cup at Chester.
Not to be outdone, the Haras de Bonneval’s SIYOUNI scored a hat-trick on the important Arc Trials card at ParisLongchamp. Sottsass validated his ticket for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe as after having little room to race, he produced an electric turn of foot once a gap opened in the Prix Niel. This was the colt’s first outing since winning the Prix du Jockey-Club and Jean-Claude Rouget’s charge now represents the leading French candidate for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on 6th October.
On the same card, SIYOUNI’s son City Light ran out the stylish winner of the Group 3 Prix du Pin. Runner-up in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes last year, City Light relished the step up to seven furlongs and will now target the Prix de la Forêt on Arc day. SIYOUNI’s treble was completed in the final race of the afternoon as the progressive Jarnac opened her account in the Prix Haxo juveniles’ handicap. On the other side of Atlantic, another of his two-year-old, Walk In Marrakesh, finished second by a nose in the Gr.1 Natalma Stakes at Woodbine.
In Ireland, H.H. the Aga Khan’s consistent homebred TARNAWA recorded her third Group success when staying on strongly to lift the Moyglare “Jewels” Blandford Stakes. Trained by Dermot Weld, the three-year-old daughter of Shamardal now has Group 1 options in the Prix de l’Opéra, the Prix de Royallieu or the Filles and Mares Champions Stakes at Ascot.
Updated on 16/09/2019.
