Tuesday 13 January 2004
The ratings confirm the worldwide superiority of Cartier horse of the Year Dalakhani over his contemporaries. Alamshar, who narrowly defeated Dalakhani in the Irish Derby before going on to a runaway success in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, was rated just one pound below him. Their nearest three year old competitor was Oasis Dream who was awarded a rating of 125 by the international handicappers.
Dalakhani won eight of his nine starts, including four Group Ones. He took the Group I Critérium International over a mile at two, before going on to impressive victories in the Prix Lupin, Prix du Jockey-Club and finally the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe against older horses at three. The beautifully bred son of Darshaan and Daltawa has since been retired to Gilltown Stud where he now stands at a fee of €45,000.
