Dariyan (ex Daryakana) lifted the first Group 1 of the French season at Saint-Cloud on Sunday, with an authoritative display in the Prix Ganay.

The well-travelled four-year-old was held up by jockey Christophe Soumillon, before running on strongly in the straight. Despite not receiving a clear run, Dariyan stretched away from the field in the final furlong to score by a length and a quarter.

The son of Shamardal put a disappointing performance on Dubai World Cup day behind him, with Alain de Royer Dupré commenting, “He was not himself in the Sheema Classic but showed his true class today.” Future targets are yet to be confirmed for Dariyan.

He is the first foal of Gr.1 Hong Kong Vase winner Daryakana (Selkirk), he has a three-year-old half-brother by Dansili named Darabad, a two-year-old half-brother by Dubawi named Devamani and a yearling half-sister by Redoute’s Choice.

On the same card, Siyouni’s triple Group 1 winning daughter Ervedya returned to action in the Prix du Muguet. Carrying joint top weight against the colts in this Group 2 mile event, the filly showed good acceleration two furlongs from home but she had to settle for second place behind Vadamos on this seasonal debut. Winner of the Gr.1 Coronation Stakes last June, Ervedya could return to Royal Ascot next month to either contest the Gr.1 Queen Anne Stakes or the Gr.2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes.

Winner of the Gr.2 Prix du Muguet, Vadamos (Monsun) also has a close connection to the Aga Khan Studs. The five-year-old is a son of Célèbre Vadala (Peintre Célèbre), a beautifully bred Listed winning half-sister to Group 1 scorer Valixir, was sold by the Aga Khan Studs at the Arqana’s Breeding Stock Sale in 2008.