Wednesday 21 October 2015
The versatility of Aga Khan Studs graduates has once again been highlighted in recent days, with jumps successes in America for DAWALAN and Ebanour, and an excellent third place for MANNDAWI in Australia’s Geelong Cup.
The blue-blooded DAWALAN, who is none other than a half-brother to Arc hero DALAKHANI and seven-time Group 1 scorer Daylami, shone in a different sphere to his siblings on Sunday when lifting the Gr. 1 Grand National Hurdle at Far Hills in New Jersey.
The grey son of AZAMOUR began his career with Alain de Royer Dupré, picking up two second places in France before changing hands privately to join Nicky Henderson in England. DAWALAN won four hurdle contests and took a second place in a Listed race at Aintree prior to export earlier this year to the USA, where he finished third on his debut in a Group 1 handicap hurdle at Belmont.
The five-year-old rewarded new connections of owner Irv Naylor and trainer Cyril Murphy with a solid victory in a competitive renewal of this prestigious steeplechase. Third placed Rawnaq also represented the Aga Khan Studs as this gelding is a son of AZAMOUR and Sharemata (Doyoun).
Later on the Far Hills card, the Aga Khan Studs took the honours again as Ebanour secured the important New Jersey Hunt Cup. Ebanour represents another superb Aga Khan Studs family, as he is out of dual Group 1 victrix Ebadiyla (Sadler’s Wells), one of the Group 1 winning quartet of siblings which also includes Edabiya, Enzeli and Estimate. Ebanour, who was sold unraced for £120,000 at the Doncaster HIT Sale back in 2010, counts Stakes performers Eyshal, Ebanoran and Edelpour among his half-brothers, as well as Cheltenham Group 1 winner Ebaziyan.
On the flat, DALAKHANI’s son MANNDAWI made a most promising start to his Southern Hemisphere campaign for Ed Dunlop when finishing strongly to take third place in the Gr 3 Geelong Cup. Runner-up in the Gr 1 Grand Prix de Paris in 2013, MANNDAWI is a half-brother to Manighar (Linamix) who scored a hat-trick of wins at the highest level in Australia, and Gr 3 Prix de Royaumont winner Minatlya (Linamix).
The next consignment of Aga Khan horses in training will be presented at the Goffs HIT Sale on 6th November and can be viewed in the Sales section of this website.
Updated on 21/10/2015.
