Sottsass, Tarnawa and Valia highlights of a fine weekend for the Aga Khan Studs. The Aga Khan Studs were present on all fronts during Arc weekened at ParisLongchamp. Siyouni’s son Sottsass was the hero of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and Tarnawa scored her second Group 1 victory in the Prix de l’Opéra, while Valia, by Sea The Stars, lifted the Gr.2 Prix Chaudenay.

The Haras de Bonneval’s Siyouni has now added the greatest accolade, that of Arc-winning stallion, to his roll of honour. Already a Classic sire thanks to Ervedya, Laurens, Dream And Do and Sottsass, the latter put in a perfect performance to reward his sire with a first victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Last year’s Prix du Jockey Club winner, Sottsass won the Gr.1 Prix Ganay in June and had been meticulously prepared for his major target by Jean-Claude Rouget. Under a masterful ride by Cristian Demuro, the four-year-old showed a decisive turn of foot and faultless determination to record a first win in the world’s greatest race for his connections and owner Peter Brant of White Birch Farm. Raised by the Ecurie des Monceaux, Sottsass was sold for €340,000 as a yearling at Arqana, and his breeder Henri Bozo confirmed after the success that his dam Starlet’s Sister (Galileo) is in foal again to Siyouni.

His Highness Aga Khan’s silks took the honours in the following race at ParisLongchamp, the Gr.1 Prix de l’Opéra, thanks to the admirable Tarnawa, trained by Dermot Weld. Winner of the Gr.1 Prix Vermeille over a mile and a half at this track three weeks earlier on a fast surface, the four-year-old filly demonstrated great versatility and consistence to win the Prix de l’Opéra over ten furlongs on a heavy track. Tarnawa was ridden patiently by Christophe Soumillon and produced a devastating run up the centre of the track. The daughter of Shamardal and dual Stakes winning mare Tarana (Cape Cross) could well soon be on her travels again, this time to the USA for a tilt in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf or Breeders’ Cup Turf.

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend got off to a fine start for the Aga Khan Studs as the promising Valia dominated the final stages of the Gr.2 Prix Chaudenay. The daughter of Sea The Stars and Poule d’Essai des Pouliches runner-up Veda was winning her second Stakes success after lifting the Listed Prix de Thiberville at the same track in July. Alain de Royer Dupré’s charge will likely remain in training in 2021 at age four and will be targeted at Group 1 objectives.

To complete this successful weekend, Group 2 winner Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor) took a brave third place in the Gr.1 Prix de Royallieu, and Dariyma (City Zip) placed third in the Gr.2 Prix Dollar.

Updated on 05/10/2020.