HH Aga Khan tops French standings and takes two Listed victories across the Channel. A prolific summer for the Aga Khan’s French stable has seen the owner gain the lead in the French owners’ standings with almost 1.5 million Euros in prize money. Representatives of the famous green and red silks have demonstrated an exceptional strike-rate, with 60 victories and 92 places for 60 individual horses who have raced on 181 occasions (statistics France Galop up to 25 Aug). Highlights of the August season in Deauville have been the impressive performance of Manighar (Linamix) who extended his unbeaten run to five when taking the Listed Prix Michel Houyvet over 1m7f, and the second place of Shemima behind fellow Dalakhani filly Armure in the Gr 2 Prix de Pomone.

HH Aga Khan’s Irish string has also enjoyed a fine run of summer form with two of John Oxx’s charges recently scoring in Listed company. Three-year-old Dalakhani filly Tanoura earned a well-deserved black-type success when beating her elders to win the Listed EBF Galtres Stakes during York’s Ebor meeting. Tanoura had finished a short head second in the Gr 3 Kerry Group Noblesse Stakes on her previous outing at Gowran Park in June. The John Oxx-trained half-siblings Alandi and Aliyfa took the first two places in the Listed Ballycullen Stakes at Fairyhouse last weekend. Already twice placed at this level, three-year-old Aliyfa (Spinning World) led the field until two furlongs out in the 1m6f contest but could do nothing against the powerful finish of her elder brother Alandi. This son of Galileo only raced once at three and opened his Pattern account on his debut this year. He has proved most consistent over extended distances this season and was narrowly beaten in the Gr 3 Curragh Cup in June.

Updated on 27/08/2009