Tuesday 16 October 2012
The talents of Aga Khan graduates have been evident far and wide in recent days, with three Group victories at opposite ends of the earth.
The highlight of these is the success of SIYOUMA in the Gr.1 E. P. Taylor Stakes in Canada, hot on the heels of the filly’s first top-level win just two weeks earlier in the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket. This tough half-sister of Haras de Bonneval sire Siyouni (Pivotal) has handsomely rewarded her owner Robert Jeffcock and trainer François Doumen, who purchased the filly from the Aga Khan Studs consignment at Arqana’s December sale last year for 220,000 Euros. The daughter of Medicean and Listed winner Sichilla (Danehill) is also closely related to sire Slickly and will have a bright future in the paddocks, however before retiring to stud she is likely to attempt a third international Group 1 title in Asia.
Manighar has successfully flown the flag for the Aga Khan Studs in Australia in 2012 with three Group 1 wins at the beginning of the year. In October it has been the turn of SHAHWARDI and MOURAYAN to shine, both entering the Melbourne Cup picture with Stakes successes. The former lifted the Gr.2 Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield for trainer Alain de Royer Dupré. The six-year-old gelding owned by Tony Bloom, after being sold during his four-year-old season. SHAHWARDI (Lando) has become a classy stayer this year, taking second in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot and thirds in the Gr.2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil and Prix Kergorlay prior to this Australian success just hours after leaving quarantine. Out of Group placed Shamdara (Dr Devious) who is a half-sister to Group 1 victrix Shamdala (Grand Lodge), SHAHWARDI is a half-brother to Gr.1 Secretariat Stakes scorer and Breeders’ Cup Turf runner-up Shamdinan.
Also aged six, MOURAYAN (Alhaarth) was a Listed winner and Irish Derby third for former trainer John Oxx, and changed hands privately for an Australian career in 2010. Runner up in three Group 1 contests in the Southern Hemisphere, the half-brother to Melbourne Cup third Mourilyan (Desert Prince) is now a Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup hopeful himself thanks to his victory in the Gr.3 Craven Plate at Randwick.
Updated on 16/10/2012.
