The leading sire will go back to Cornerstone Stud. His Highness the Aga Khan’s Studs has today formally announced that they will be shuttling European Horse of the Year and leading sire Dalakhani back to Cornerstone Stud, South Australia for another Southern Hemisphere breeding season.

Dalakhani (Darshaan – Daltawa), the four time Group One winner, whose progeny have won 10 Group One races, was warmly received by Australian breeders in 2013 covering 97 mares from right across the continent.

The recent success of Dalakhani’s stock in Australia, led by Group One winner Reliable Man, will only add to the stallions appeal in 2014. Thus far in Australia Dalakhani has been represented by nine runners for seven winners.

“We remained convinced that Dalakhani is the perfect outcross for Australian mares and he thrived in the conditions last season,” explained Pat Downes, Manager of Gilltown Stud, the Aga Khan’s stallion operation in Ireland.

According to Cornerstone Stud Managing Director, Sam Hayes, there is much to be gained by breeding to such a classic sire and outcross.

“We would like to thank those that supported Dalakhani last season. The response from across the country proved that we have a sophisticated market in Australia that appreciates stallions with such breed shaping potential.”

“Last year we saw the demand for buying readymade stayers being encroached upon by those willing to breed their own, many of whom appreciated having a proven producer of Group One winners right here on their doorstep.”

Dalakhani won eight of his nine starts including a Group One race as a two-year-old and a further three Group One races as a three-year-old. Upon retirement from racing his trainer Alain de Royer Dupré had the following to say.

"Of all the greats I have trained for His Highness, Dalakhani is the most complete racehorse. He has all the qualities - he has speed, he stays and he always relaxes perfectly."

Dalakhani is the sire of 35 stakes winners to date, including 6 individual Group One winners. His career progeny earnings as a stallion exceed AUD $27million. Maiden winners to date in 2014 include Economy, Vayakhan, Moonrise Landing and Stall Ulmann’s Guardini, now a leading fancy for the German Derby. His Group winning daughter, Cheveley Park Stud’s Integral, remains in training this season as does the Luca Cumani trained Khione, his son Terrubi is already a stakes winner in 2014.

An ideal outcross with Northern Dancer and Danehill sirelines, Dalakhani has produced Group I performers with daughters of Danehill, Sadler’s Wells, Unfuwain and further Group winners with daughters of Barathea, Alzao and Pivotal to name a few. His offspring out of daughters of Anabaa, Green Desert, Nureyev, Royal Academy, etc. have also proved successful at Stakes level.

Dalakhani joins Hussonet, Good Journey and Ambidexter on the Cornerstone Stud stallion roster along with associate sire Shrewd Rhythm (standing at Stable Hill Thoroughbreds).

Dalakhani will stand at a fee of $22,000 inc. GST.

Updated on 14/04/2014.