Saratan was the latest Aga Khan bred horse to win a Stakes race when courageously taking the Listed Prix Canal + at Deauville yesterday. The five year old gelding, by Tirol and out of the Dalsaan mare Sarafia was winning his third consecutive race. He took the lead nearly two furlongs out and showed rare grit and determination to repel all challenges right to the line.

He is trained by the talented young trainer Mikel Delzangles, who is having great success in his second season as a trainer, after having been assistant at Aiglemont, His Highness The Aga Khan’s French training centre for nine years.

“After being assistant trainer for the Aga Khan, I am very happy to win with a horse bred by him, and Saratan is a very good tempered and brave horse.”

Just over a week earlier, Darasim, a four year old son of Kahyasi, ran out the convincing winner of the Listed Lady O Memorial Glorious Rated Stakes. His victory was all the more pleasing as this tough and progressive competitor had finished a game second in a competitive handicap just three days earlier. By Halo, Darasim’s dam Dararita is a daughter of the Group I winning Darara, who is a half sister to Darshaan and has herself produced several Group winners.

Darasim’s stablemate, Akbar, is another Aga Khan bred horse to have had great success since being sold in August 1999. This son of Doyoun and Akishka most recently won the Group II Bonusprint Henry II Stakes at Sandown. Akishka is a daughter of Nishapour and Akiyda, who won the Arc de Triomphe in 1982 and remains the last three year old filly to this day to have achieved this remarkable feat.