2024 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner ROUHIYA has been retired from racing after suffering a setback and will join the Aga Khan Studs broodmare band at Haras de Bonneval.

Georges Rimaud, manager of the Aga Khan Studs in France, commented: “While it is naturally disappointing not to see her again in competition, she represents a very exciting addition to our broodmare band. Prior to Rouhiya, the last winners of the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches for His Highness were ERVEDYA (SIYOUNI), who went on to produce EREVANN at stud, and ZARKAVA, the dam of ZARAK. Rouhiya represents a different lineage and exemplifies the depth and diversity of our breeding families. We look forward to seeing what her future progeny can do.”

Princess Zahra Aga Khan declared after Rouhiya’s Classic victory: “To win the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches is huge for a breeder and to produce a filly like her is very important for the future. […] This race and the Diane mean everything for us as breeders because they can launch a whole family. For this family to come back in a Group 1 like this adds great value to all her sisters and the entire line.”

Third on her two-year-old debut last October, Rouhiya was an easy winner of the Prix La Bamba at Deauville three weeks later. Enjoying the drying ground at ParisLongchamp in what had otherwise been a very wet start to 2024, she showed great acceleration to become the sixth winner of the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches for His Highness the Aga Khan and Princess Zahra Aga Khan.

She is the second foal out of Listed-placed Rondonia, a half-sister to Group 2 winner Raydara who has a colt foal by SIYOUNI and is in foal to SEA THE STARS. Her further family is that of fellow Group 1 winners Ridasiyna and Laurens.