The foaling and covering season is well underway at the Aga Khan Studs in both Ireland and France, with the stallions set to have another busy spring.
Rouhiya will visit Siyouni
At Gilltown Stud, flagbearer Sea The Stars is the mating of choice for Oaks winner Ezeliya, who recently produced her first foal, a filly by Justify. Also in his book will be Zarka, a full sister to Zarak out of champion Zarkava, and Dariyza, a Stakes-winning half-sister to Arc hero Daryz.
With Zarak temporarily out of action, Siyouni will receive an increased number of around 30 Aga Khan mares this year.
Among them is Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner Rouhiya - whose first foal, born 15th February, is a filly by Sea The Stars - as well as Alaiya, dam of 2025 Group 2 winner Alakazi; Azmaniya, half-sister to five-time Group 1 winner The Autumn Sun; Baiykara, a Group-winning half-sister to Breeders’ Cup winning juvenile Balantina; Group 2 winner Candarliya, dam of last year’s Prix de Diane third Cankoura; Darylakha, a half-sister to Daryz; and Narmeen, who has already produced last year’s Prix Marcel Boussac third Narissa by Siyouni.
Ezeliya will visit Sea The Stars
Champion Three-Year-Old Vadeni’s second crop of foals on the ground already this year includes a colt out of Group 1 heroine and Group 2 producer Ridasiyna.
Among his book will be Stakes winner Canndera, a half-sister to Group 1 winner Candelari; Baiyouna, a winning daughter of Sea The Stars and half-sister to Grade 1 winner Bayrir; Reynira, a black-type producer whose half-sister produced Rouhiya; Group 3 winner Tanaza; Group-placed Etneya, a Siyouni half-sister to the dam of Ezeliya; and Baiyka, a half-sister to Balantina.
Erevann – whose first crop are also yearlings this year - will also cover some choice Aga Khan mares, including Azmiyna, dam of The Autumn Sun; Group 1 winner Ridasiyna; Candara, dam of four Stakes winners including Candelari; and Vaderana, dam of Vadeni.
High profile mares visiting outside stallions this year include Siyouni’s four-time Group 1 heroine Tahiyra, who goes to Frankel, Daryz’s Group 2-winning half-sister Darkaniya, who visits Dubawi; Rouhiya’s dam Rondonia, who goes to Lope De Vega; and Group 1 winners Tarnawa and Zarigana, who make the trip across the Atlantic to visit Justify.
Siyouni and Sea The Stars enjoyed new two-year-old Stakes winners on consecutive days this week.
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Johanna Walsh stormed to a four-length victory in the Irish Oaks on Saturday, becoming the third winner of that race for Sea The Stars and his seventh individual Classic winner overall.
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Epsom Derby runner-up Maltese Cross went one better on Tuesday, fighting his way to victory in a bunch finish to the Grand Prix de Paris at ParisLongchamp that also included Zarak colt Varandir.
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Erdenali and Narissa completed a Listed double at Deauville.
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