The Aga Khan Studs entry for Arqana’s forthcoming Arc Sale is particularly strong this year, with all four representatives already Stakes winners or placed.

Graduates of the breeding operation are invariably sought-after at public sale, and new connections are regularly rewarded with important successes. Last year’s sale saw the purchase of Sandagiyr (Dr Fong) on behalf of Godolphin: he went on to lift the Gr.3 Firebreak Stakes at Meydan last spring. In 2010, future Group 2 and Group 3 scorer Rajsaman (Linamix) was sold and the highlight of the 2009 consignment was Zaidpour (Red Ransom) who proceeded to win at the top level over hurdles.

This season’s draft is composed of four three-year-olds, all winners and black-type performers. Travelling over from John Oxx’s yard in Ireland, Takar (lot 51) has won four of his seven outings, including three Stakes races this season. The son of Oratorio lifted the Listed Tetrarch and Glencairn Stakes over seven furlongs and a mile and has culminated with victory in the Gr.3 Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh.

Out of Group 3 victrix Takarouna (Green Dancer), Takar is a half-brother to three Stakes winners, from the immediate family of Top Ville.

Also from John Oxx’s Currabeg Stable, lot 4 Aklan (Dalakhani) is a confirmed stayer who could be an interesting prospect for jumping or flat. He won the Listed Lenebane Stakes over a mile and a half in July before taking second in the Listed Challenge Stakes over a mile and six furlongs. On his final outing, he finished fourth after setting the pace in the Gr.3 St Leger Trial Stakes. Aklan is out of a winning half-sister to Gr.1 third Akdarena, from a versatile family which also features top-class performers over hurdles.

Triple Listed winner Lidari (lot 25) represents the stable of Jean-Claude Rouget. The son of Acclamation was Group-placed as a juvenile and has progressed into a consistent individual at three, winning over 10 furlongs to a mile and a half. He is out of dual Listed scorer Laxlova (Linamix) and is a half-brother to Listed winner Laristan.

By Sinndar, Lunayir (lot 29) won his maiden at Chantilly and has placed fourth in the Gr.3 Prix Daphnis as well as a pair of Listed contests. His dam is a half-sister to Linamix and has already produced three Stakes winners.