Horses owned by HH the Aga Khan have got off to an excellent start this season with four winners and a second from just eight runners so far in 2002.

TARIFANA set the ball rolling with a promising win on the opening day of the season in Ireland at the Curragh. Previously unraced, this daughter of Dr Devious out of Shahrastani mare Tarakana settled just behind the leaders before running on well to win by half a length without being stretched. Last Saturday ZAFARANIYA, by Doyoun and out of the Kahyasi mare Zafzala, showed great potential when comfortably winning a competitive fillies’ maiden at Cork on her seasonal debut.

These two Irish victories were followed by a French-trained double last Sunday. This double was initiated by DIHAILA (Valanour, ex Diyawara) who won first time out and was followed by KERAMANI who looked a class act when taking the Prix des Arts et Metiers at Longchamp over 1400m. Previously placed behind some talented individuals in his two starts as a two year old, KERAMANI quickened impressively in the latter stages of this conditions race towards a comfortable victory.

ELAPOUR, a half brother to Group I winners EBADIYLA, ENZELI and EDABIYA by Sadler’s Wells, was a promising second on his debut, having run a little green early on.