In a busy weekend of top class racing in Europe, the Aga Khan Studs hit the mark in all categories. Group 1 winners Almanzor and Vadamos both highlight the quality of Aga Khan Studs’ distaff influence, while Makfi recorded a stakes double and Shamreen carried the famous green and red colours to Group 2 victory at the Curragh.

Hero of the Irish Champion Stakes, Almanzor represents an Aga Khan Studs family as the son of Wootton Bassett is out of unraced Darkova (Maria’s Mon), herself daughter of Listed victrix Darkara who is the half-sister to champion miler Darjina. Darkova was sold by the Aga Khan Studs for €16,000 at Arqana’s Breeding Stock Sale in December 2011.

Prix du Moulin de Longchamp winner Vadamos hails from an Aga Khan Studs/Jean-Luc Lagardère bloodline, being a son of Celebre Vadala (Peintre Celebre), a Listed scorer and half-sister to Group 1 winner Valixir. Celebre Vadala, who was acquired by the Haras de Saint Pair for €525,000 at Arqana in December 2008, is from the close family of Group 1 winners Vadawina, Vazira and Valixir.

After the victory of Almanzor, Irish Champions Weekend was also the scene of success for Aga Khan Studs filly Shamreen. The daughter of Dubawi opened her Stakes account with a brave pillar to post performance in the Gr.2 Blandford Stakes over 10 furlongs. Dermot Weld’s charge is out of Group 3 winner Shareen, and she holds an entry in the Gr.1 Champions Filly and Mare Stakes at Ascot.

Finally, Haras de Bonneval sire Makfi was on form over the weekend, with a pair of black-type successes in France and Germany. Consistent colt Noor Al Hawa picked up his third Stakes contest when winning the Gr.3 Groβe Europa Meile at Düsseldorf, after taking Listed events at the same track as a juvenile and recently in Deauville.

In Toulouse, progressive filly Not Only Florina earned her first black type with a win in the Listed Prix Occitanie. Out of Monsun mare Nightdance Sun, Not Only Florina was bought for just €12,000 as a yearling at Arqana.