Aga Khan homebred Sibayan justified favouritism in Sunday’s Gr.1 Preis von Europa at Cologne, swooping home to win by two and half lengths.

It was a second success in this race for the green and red silks, and the fifth Group 1 victory of the year for the Aga Khan Studs – a feat last achieved in 2015.

Sibayan, a four-year-old son of Blame and Listed winner Sirrin, has now won three consecutive Group races, after wins in the Gr.2 Maurice de Nieuil in July and Gr.2 Grand Prix de Deauville in August. He is entered into Saturday’s Arqana Arc Sale at Saint-Cloud.

The victory also marked a 10^th Group 1 win for Sea The Stars as a broodmare sire. Sibayan is the second foal out of his dam, who is a half-sister to the dam of Sonaiyla, a Group 1-placed sprinter. He also hails from the family of Champion Sinndar. Sirrin is currently in foal to the popular young sire Erevann.