The Aga Khan Studs were in great form at Longchamp on Sunday, with a pair of three-year-old representatives of the stable lifting two of the afternoon’s Group 3 contests in fine style.

Vazirabad set the ball rolling for the double when producing a late run up the centre of the track to dominate the field in the Gr.3 Prix de Lutèce. The progressive son of Manduro has now won his last three outings and seemed to appreciate the staying distance of a mile and seven furlongs. Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupré indicated that the colt will now be aimed towards the Gr.2 Prix Chaudenay on Arc weekend.

Vazirabad is a half-brother to six winners, most notably Listed victrix and Group placed Visoriyna (Dansili). His Linamix dam Visorama secured the Gr.3 Prix de Flore and took third place in the Gr.1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. She is a half-sister to Gr.1 Prix de la Forêt scorer Varenar.

Later on the Longchamp card, Taniyar (Shamardal) completed the double for H.H. the Aga Khan, Alain de Royer-Dupré and Christophe Soumillon with success in the Gr.3 Prix du Pin. Under an excellent ride by the stable jockey, the colt stalked his rivals until well into the final furlong when he produced a burst of speed to accelerate easily into the lead.

Taniyar appears perfectly adapted to this seven-furlong trip and he should return to the same course and distance for his next objective, the Gr.1 Prix de la Forêt on the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe programme on 4th October.

Out of Listed winner and multiple Group placed Tanoura, Taniyar’s victory advertises once again the qualities of Dalakhani as a broodmare sire. Dalakhani’s daughter Tanoura has also produced juvenile Tanaza (Dubawi), unbeaten in two appearances including the Gr.3 Silver Flash Stakes. The two-year-old filly is entered in the Gr.1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the end of this week.