Classic hopes for Simeen and Sea The Stars filly Raabihah, and Dariyan opens account. The Aga Khan Studs have been on fine form since the restart of racing in France. During the first few days of action, colourbearer Simeen and Sea The Stars’ daughter Raabihah have advertised their Classic credentials, while first season sire Dariyan has been quick off the mark with an inaugural victory.

Haras de Bonneval’s blue-blooded Dariyan has made a flying start to his stallion career, as just his third runner, Princesse de Saba, put up an impressive performance to score in the five-furlong Prix des Hortensias at Lyon-Parilly on Friday. The filly was slowly away from the stalls but was ridden with confidence throughout by Maxime Guyon and she made short work of her rivals to finally win unextended by two lengths. Trained by Andrea Marcialis, Princesse de Saba also represents the Aga Khan Studs breeding operation on her maternal side. She was bought in utero of her dam Aniysa, a Dalakhani half-sister to Group victrix Alnadana, for 65,000€ by the Haras des Trois Chapelles at Arqana’s Breeding Stock Sale in 2017.

Gilltown Stud resident Sea The Stars is the sire of the exciting Raabihah who smoothly stepped up in class to lift the Prix de la Seine at ParisLongchamp on just her second outing. After a three-length win on her debut in January, Raabihah produced a superb acceleration in this Listed contest, and coasted home four lengths clear of her rivals. Raabihah is owned and bred by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, who saw her granddam Eswarah lift the Oaks at Epsom in 2005. Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget has high hopes for this filly, who will be prepared for the Prix de Diane in July.

The Aga Khan Studs have a live Classic prospect in the form of Simeen who carried the famous green and red silks to victory at Chantilly on Wednesday. Unbeaten in two outings as a juvenile, Simeen was making her return to action after nine months and she cruised to success in the Class 1 Prix La Pistole over a mile. Jean-Claude Rouget’s charge will now be aimed towards the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp on 1st June. The beautifully bred Simeen is a daughter of Lope De Vega and a winning half-sister to Prix de Diane, Prix Saint-Alary and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud heroine Sarafina.

Updated on 18/05/2020.