Thursday 30 November 2023
2023 has been another successful year for Aga Khan Studs graduates, and winners this year out of mares previously sold at Arqana include the dual Group 1 winner Gold Trip, Group winners Interpretation and Protagonist, and Listed winner Tower Of London, who was also Group-placed and fourth in the Gr.1 St Leger. Over the jumps, notable names included Gr.2 winner Caribean Boy and Scottish Grand National hero Kitty’s Light.
This year’s draft of 26 fillies and mares include several with interesting updates.
Lot 635, VISILANDA, has herself become a winner since the catalogue was published, adding to her two placed efforts in 2023. She is also a relation to Vertbois, the two-length winner of a juvenile maiden at Deauville on 28th November. His dam Visinada sold at this sale in 2011.
Lot 10, RODAINAH, is a dual winner by Le Havre out of Stakes performer Rondonia. Her two-year-old half-sister Rouhiya (Lope De Vega) recently won by two and a half lengths at Deauville, and looks a nice prospect for 2024. Lot 568, RARIYDA, is another from this very active Aga Khan ‘R’ family, and is a half-sister to Rondonia as well as Group 2 winner and Stakes producer Raydara.
Another half-sister to a recent new winner is lot 72, CALIYZA, whose two-year-old half-brother Calandagan won the Prix du Mont César at Chantilly by an impressive 10 lengths on 31st October.
Ashtana sold at this sale in 2021, and has gone on to win four races on the flat and over jumps, and placed second in a Listed race over hurdles this November. Her winning half-sister ASHALYKA is offered this year as lot 380, and is now a sibling to three blacktype horses.
Other interesting lots include half-sisters to Group 1 winner Sagawara, Group 2 winner and Group 1 placed Valia, Group 3 winner Tariyana, Stakes winners Simeen and Mandour, recent Listed winner Eliyass and Behtar, a Stakes performer sold in November to race in Australia. Lot 424 meanwhile is Dilafara (in foal to Ghaiyyath), whose half-sister Dialafara has produced five Stakes winners including Classic hero Capri and is the grand-dam of Gr.1 Fillies’ Mile winner Commissioning.
