The last weekend of August marked the end of the Deauville meeting, and the ground, softened by recent rain, gave British raider Al Aasy the opportunity to win his first Group 2 in the Grand Prix de Deauville. The most consistent son of Sea The Stars, now aged nine, had won a total of eight Group 3s to date, and he showed grit and a decisive turn of foot to prevail. His trainer, William Haggas, said after the race: “He is nine, but he still has that desire to win, even in difficult conditions like this. He showed great courage, he is a lovely horse and, when conditions suit, is capable of doing some very good things.”

On the opening day of the Baden-Baden race and sales festival, Zarak provided a Stakes double thanks to his sons Stingray and Flatten The Curve, who won both black-type races on the card. Stingray, who was already a Listed winner and had placed several times at Group level, stepped up to win the Gr.3 71st Preis der Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe for his owner and breeder, Günther Schmidt. His trainer, Marcel Weiss, believes there is more to come from him and will aim to step up in class again. This success provides a timely update on Stingray’s three-parts sister by Erevann, who will be offered as Lot 73 at the BBAG Yearling Sale on Friday.

Earlier on the card, another son of Zarak demonstrated his consistency. Flatten The Curve hadn’t been seen since his Listed win in April, and he accelerated with ease to remain unbeaten in Germany, winning the Listed Steher Cup. He was earning his sixth Stakes success in the process and could now be aimed at the Gr.1 Prix du Cadran.

Flatten The Curve was bred by Haras de Castillon and partners, out of the Aga Khan-bred mare Lailoma, who had been sold carrying him at the Arqana Breeding Stock Sale. He was one of three Stakes winners bred out of ex-Aga Khan mares over the weekend.

Zavateri, a Group 1 winner at two, was back in the winners’ enclosure with an emphatic success in the Gr.2 Celebration Mile. A son of Without Parole, he was bred out of Zeroua, a daughter of Siyouni and Zerkaza, who is a half-sister to leading sire Zarak and is out of Champion Zarkava. Zeroua had been purchased as a maiden by Mark McStay of Avenue Bloodstock at the Arqana Breeding Stock Sale on behalf of Zavateri’s breeders, John and Tanya Gunther.

Across the Atlantic, the daughter of Balankiya, Evershed, earned her first Graded success in the Gr.3 Waya Stakes after placing second twice at Stakes level last year. She could now be aimed at the Gr.3 Flower Bowl Stakes at Belmont Park in September. Balankiya’s family has provided plenty of success for new connections, as Balankiyla, a half-sister to Evershed, is herself the dam of Balantina, winner of the Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last year.