Tuesday 16 April 2013
Aga Khan-bred dams took the honours at Longchamp on Sunday, with GENGIS a stylish winner of the Gr 3 Prix de Fontainebleau and TASADAY pleasing runner-up in the Gr 3 Prix de la Grotte.
Out of Aga Khan mare Ashiyla (Green Desert), GENGIS is a progressive colt who won impressively on his debut last August and ended his juvenile season with success in the Listed Prix Zeddaan at Fontainebleau. He booked his Classic ticket on Sunday when taking the Gr 3 Prix de Fontainebleau over the course and distance of the Gr 1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains. GENGIS’s dam Ashiyna is an unraced half-sister to dual Group 1 winner and sire Ashkalani. The family has plenty of black type in the past, as his granddam is a half-sister to Group 1 scorer Shafaraz and Ajarann, runner-up at the same level back in the 1980s.
On the same Classic trials card, TASADAY made a most satisfactory seasonal comeback to take second place in the Gr 3 Prix de la Grotte. Unbeaten at two years old in three outings, including the Gr 3 Prix des Réservoirs, TASADAY was beaten a length in the preparation for the Gr 1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches. The filly is a daughter of Tashelka (Mujahid), who picked up a pair of Group 3 titles for Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum. Tashelka is the half-sister to Listed scorer and Group 1 third Tashkandi, and out Tashtiya, a Group 3 winner at Ascot.
Further afield, MIZANI maintained his invincibility with a third victory in as many outings in Hong Kong. This Aga Khan-bred four-year-old was sold privately following a pair of successes and a Listed second in Ireland and he is proving to be a force to be reckoned with in Asia. Ruled out of the Gr 1 Hong Kong Derby with a minor setback last month, the son of Bachelor Duke came from last to first to make amends in the Class 1 Wing Wo Handicap. A grandson of Gr 1 Prix Jacques le Marois heroine Miss Satamixa, MIZANI is a half-brother to Listed second Sakza (Sakhee).
Updated on 16/04/2013.
