The Aga Khan Studs boast an enviable reputation of sending talented individuals to public sale, with Zaynar, Zaidpour and Rajsaman going on to perform at the highest level after changing hands recently at Arqana. The operation’s latest 16-strong consignment to Arqana’s summer sale on 29th June at Saint-Cloud represents some top Aga Khan Studs families. The draft consists entirely of colts or geldings and features winning and placed horses as well as promising unraced three-year-olds.

The group of winners is headed by lot 156 Almadan who was successful recently over 11 furlongs at Lyon. Trained by Mikel Delzangles, he is a son of Azamour out of a full sister to Group 1 placed Alasha. Also from Delzangles’ yard is lot 232 Ranjaan (Dubai Destination), a winner of two races who placed second in a B race over 1m6f and lot 189 Divapour (Daylami), a consistent performer who scored in May over a mile and a half. Jean-Claude Rouget sends lot 270 Kazlian (Sinndar), a winner and second in the important Listed Prix Maurice Caillaut. Darroun, a tall Dalakhani colt from the family of Darjina, won over 2500 meters on 13 June after placing on his first start. The latest winner is Dataran, a Barathea colt out of a half sister to Dalakhani, who won by 2.5 lengths on his first outing on 19th June.

Placed horses for sale include lot 155 Aksoun (Red Ransom) who finished a good second on his recent racecourse debut at Longchamp. He is out of a half-sister to the Group 1 placed Akdarena who has already produced two winners.

Attractions among the unraced entries to the sale are lot 190 Aliyapour, a Barathea colt sent from John Oxx’s Irish stable. The colt is a three-quarter brother to Group 1 winning stayer Alandi, from the close family of Alamshar. The blue-blooded lot 191 Damarlan (Lemon Drop Kid) is out of a half-sister to Classic winner and sire Dalakhani, while Oasis Dream colt Shemidari (lot 272) is a grandson of the prolific Prix de Diane heroine Shemaka.