2017 has made a flying start for the partnership of the Aga Khan Studs and Arrowfield, with a Group 2 success for Whiskey Baron in South Africa, while of daughter of Narmina purchased in utero won the Indian Oaks.

In India, where the Aga Khan family was involved in breeding and racing in the 19th century, the Aga Khan broodmare Narmina (Alhaarth) took the honours in the recent Poonawalla Indian Oaks (local Gr.1) which was won convincingly by her daughter Temerity (Intense Focus). The unraced Narmina, dam of Group 1 placed Narniyn, was sold in foal to this future Classic filly for 9,000 euros at the Goffs Breeding Stock Sale in November 2012. She is a half-sister to Group victrix Narwala (Darshaan), dam of four Stakes winners.

In South Africa, Whiskey Baron, who was bred in association by Arrowfield and the Aga Khan Studs, was winning his fourth consecutive race, and his fifth career victory, when lifting the Gr 2 Peninsula Stakes over nine furlongs at Kenilworth on 8th January. Trained by Brett Crawford, the four-year-old gelding will now be aimed towards the important Gr.1 Sun Met at the same Cape Town track at the end of the month.

Whiskey Baron is a son of Manhattan Rain and the unraced Sinndar mare Tazkara, who is a half-sister to dual Group victrix Tashelka and Listed scorer and Group 1 third Tashkandi. He was sold for A$50,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale in 2014.

The joint venture between the two breeding operations has recently been successful thanks to Azazel, a son of Snitzel and Allariza (Linamix), who won a Listed contest on his debut as a juvenile in October. Allariza hails from a proven line, and she is a full sister to Listed winner Alnamara, dam of Group 3 scorer and Group 1 runner-up Alnadana.

Finally, the versatility of the Aga Khan Studs was demonstrated in America, where Rawnaq, a son of Azamour and the Aga Khan-bred Sharemata (Doyoun) was awarded the Eclipse Award for Champion Steeplechaser following a season which saw him win two Group 1 contests. The Aga Khan Studs are no stranger to success in this category as the prize was won in 2015 by Dawalan.