Verema’s stylish victory in the Gr.2 Prix Kergorlay was the highlight of a successful Sunday at Deauville which also saw H.H. the Aga Khan’s colours carried to second and third places in the Gr.1 Prix Jean Romanet.

The four-year-old daughter of Barathea and granddaughter of Prix de Diane winner Vereva (Kahyasi) was picking up her third Group title over long distances, having won the Gr.3 Prix de Lutèce last September and the Gr.2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil at Longchamp on 13 July. In a steadily-run Prix Kergorlay the filly accelerated in the straight and stuck on gamely to her task to take the lead from last year’s winner Joshua Tree inside the final 50 metres.

Alain de Royer Dupré’s charge now has a range of options in France and further afield, and could even be considered for a tilt at the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup.

Winner of the Gr.3 Prix de Lieurey at Deauville last summer, Sarkiyla was back on the Group podium when finishing a solid second to Romantica in the Gr.1 Prix Jean Romanet. The daughter of Oasis Dream finished strongly to deny stablemate Dalkala of the runner-up position after the latter had raced prominently. Dalkala, a daughter of Giant’s Causeway, is already a triple Group scorer, having lifted the Gr.3 Prix Cléopatre, the Gr.2 Prix de Royallieu and Gr.2 Middleton Stakes. Both fillies are likely to be suited by a more galloping track and softer ground for their autumn targets.

Further afield, the Aga Khan Studs breeding operation shone in the USA where Dank took the Gr.1 Beverly D Stakes at Arlington from Gifted Girl (Azamour) in second. The former is a daughter of Dansili and Masskana, a mare bred and sold by the Aga Khan Studs. She therefore celebrated her third Group 1 progeny after Eagle Mountain and Sulk. Listed winner Gifted Girl is by Gilltown Stud sire Azamour.