The Aga Khan Studs got off to a good start for the 2003 season when the three year old filly Beheshta took a newcomers’ race over ten furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte yesterday. By Brief Truce out of Behariya, Beheshta was raced in midfield throughout before taking the lead inside the final furlong and repelling all challenges convincingly.

Her dam, the unraced mare Behariya, is a daughter of the Group I Prix Saint-Alary winner and Arc runner up Behera. Behariya is already the dam of Behreyma by Persian Bold, winner of this very race in 2002, before being placed third in the Group III Prix Cléopatre.

Beheshta also has a two year old half-brother by Dr Devious as well as a yearling half-brother by Darshaan. She will no doubt be stepped up in class next time out.