Dalakhani, widely recognised as the outstanding three-year-old of 2003, has been retired to stud.  The son of Darshaan will stand at the Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud in Ireland. He will not race again following Sunday’s remarkable Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victory.

Dalakhani goes to stud a winner of eight of his nine races. He was unbeaten as a two year old taking a maiden over 7 furlongs and the Group 3 Prix des Chenes before ending his juvenile campaign by winning the Group 1 Criterium International. In the International Classifications Dalakhani was rated the champion 2yo colt in France.

As a three-year-old Dalakhani has won five of his six races including: a facile victory this summer in the Prix du Jockey Club, the Group 1 Prix Lupin over 10 furlongs and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, where he beat the older generation. His latest win prompted jockey Christophe Soumillon to comment: “He is a real champion and the horse of a lifetime. I don’t think I’ll ever have the opportunity to ride such a great horse again.”

His trainer, Alain de Royer Dupré, commented: ”Dalakhani is definitely the greatest middle distance performer I have ever trained. He has an exceptional temperament which made him easy to train and incredibly consistent. He has class, wonderful acceleration and an ability to act on any going. He is the complete racehorse”.

Pat Downes, the Aga Khan’s studs Irish manager, said: “Dalakhani is a very exciting addition to the Aga Khan’s Studs stallion roster. It is also very pleasing that we have such a high class son of Darshaan who I am confident will provide a fitting replacement for his great sire. Dalakhani was without a doubt an outstanding racehorse with all the attributes we look for in a champion.”

Dalakhani is out of the stakes winning Miswaki mare, Daltawa. He will join his half brother Daylami, fellow Arc hero Sinndar and the world champion Kalanisi at Gilltown Stud.

To find out more, visit Dalakhani's Stallion PageTo use this photo please contact Scoop Dyga at contact@scoopdyga.com