Another Classic contender for Aga Khan Studs.

Sagawara added her name to the Aga Khan Studs’ possible Classic contenders on Sunday with victory in the Gr 1 Prix Saint-Alary. The stable will be represented by Kesampour (King’s Best) in the Prix du Jockey Club on Sunday, while Sagawara (Shamardal) and the promising Valyra (Azamour) are likely to join Dalkala (Giant’s Causeway) in the Prix de Diane two weeks later.

Alain de Royer Dupré’s charge put up a brave performance at Longchamp to resist all challenges and open her Group account by a short neck from Rjwa (Muhtathir). This was just the fourth racecourse outing for the filly, who won at Saint-Cloud as a juvenile and took second place in the Gr 3 Prix Vanteaux on her seasonal reappearence in April.

Sagawara’s maternal pedigree is a classic representation of the late Jean-Luc Lagardère’s breeding operation, whose bloodlines have continued to flourish since joining the Aga Khan Studs in 2005. Her dam Sagalina (Linamix) is a full sister to Arc hero Sagamix and to Group 2 winner Sage Et Jolie, the dam of Sageburg, and half-sister to Group 1 scorer Sagacity (Highest Honor). Sagalina has already produced three winners, Selagan (Dalakhani), Saghar (Red Ransom) and Saderann (Sinndar).

Sagawara offered her owner H.H. the Aga Khan a sixth victory in the Gr 1 Prix Saint-Alary, following in the footsteps of Cervinia (Phil Drake), Behera (Mill Reef), Zainta (Kahyasi), Vadawina (Unfuwain) and Sarafina (Refuse To Bend). Of these, both Zainta and Sarafina progressed to win the Prix de Diane at Chantilly.

At Saint-Cloud on Monday, Arc de Triomphe runner-up Shareta can be considered most unlucky in the Gr 2 Prix Corrida. The daughter of Sinndar finished fastest of all but too late after finding trouble in running a furlong from home. Alain de Royer Dupré’s filly had to settle for second place, beaten just a nose by Solemia (Poliglote) but is likely to have her chance to settle the score in the Gr 1 Prix de Saint Cloud on 24th June. In third position in the Corrida came Siyouni’s half-sister Siyouma (Medicean), bred by the Aga Khan Studs and now trained by François Doumen for Robert Jeffcock after being sold for 220,000 Euros at Arqana’s December sale.

Earlier on the weekend, Lidari appreciated the step up in trip when he won the Listed Derby du Midi in Bordeaux-le-Bouscat. Already winner of the Listed Prix Maurice Caillaut this year, it was his first attempt over the Classic distance and despite the slow pace of the race, he quickened in the last straight to win easily by 1,5 lengths. This son of Acclamation is a half-brother to Listed winner Laristan (Sinndar).

Updated on 29/05/2012.