Darjina will be presented to the leading second crop sire in 2009. The Aga Khan Studs have already confirmed that Arc heroine and Cartier Horse of the Year Zarkava will be covered by fellow Arc winner Dalakhani next year and this announcement is followed by the news that Darjina will also meet the Gilltown Stud stallion. Champion Pride is also on his list for 2009.

Darjina was retired in October after an illustrious career which saw her lift three Gr 1 contests including the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and a victory over her male counterparts in the Prix du Moulin. While the daughter of Zamindar did not add to her honours in 2008, she proved to be a model of consistency, finishing second in all six outings at the highest level.

Darjina is out of Gr 3 third Darinska, who is a half-sister to Listed winner Darkara, while her third dam Daralinsha lifted the Gr 3 Prix Minerve and is also grand-dam of Prix du Jockey-Club winner Darsi.

Dalakhani has enjoyed an excellent season as a sire in 2008, when his produce have won a pair of Classics with Moonstone taking the Irish Oaks and Conduit the St Leger before going on to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. The son of Darshaan and Miswaki dam Daltawa boasts a total of eight Stakes winning individuals and a strike rate of 59% winners to runners for his first crop who are now at the end of their three-year-old career.

Updated on 10/12/2008