Monday 24 October 2016
The Aga Khan Studs are delighted to announce that HARZAND will be another exciting new addition to the roster of Gilltown Stud for the 2017 breeding season.
The handsome son of Sea The Stars achieved an exceptional feat when winning both the Epsom and Irish Derbies, making him the leading colt of his generation in Europe over the classic distance of a mile and a half. Pat Smullen declared after HARZAND’s second Group 1 victory: “I don't think I've ever ridden such a courageous horse. I just can't get over his courage in the last half-furlong. He's so tough and he's not just tough, he's got pace.”
His trainer Dermot Weld, who won his first Epsom Derby with HARZAND, said after his victory in the Irish equivalent: “"It was a magnificent race and he showed speed today. The first two improved considerably from Epsom. They just didn't quicken once, they quickened twice.”
HARZAND was also successful at Group level over ten furlongs, and the classy colt won four races during a four month period in the first semester of 2016, culminating in his Derby double.
In lifting the Epsom Derby, HARZAND took after his father, the champion racehorse and top sire SEA THE STARS. The son of Urban Sea is currently ranked third leading European sire and now counts five Group 1 winners including Champion Taghrooda, young sire Sea The Moon and this year’s Group 1 winning miler Zelzal. Sea The Stars has produced a remarkable ratio of 12.1% Stakes winners to runners with his first four crops, a ratio only bettered by Dubawi at the same stage in their career.
HARZAND himself hails from a strong Aga Khan Studs distaff family, being a son of Gr.3 winner over 7 furlongs HAZARIYA (Xaar), who is a half-sister to Irish Oaks third Hazarista. HAZARIYA’s first three foals are Stakes performers, and notably feature juvenile Gr. 3 winner and Gr. 1 placed HARASIYA (Pivotal).
HARZAND joins Born To Sea and Sea The Stars at Gilltown Stud in Ireland and breeders are welcome to come and see him on appointment, notably during the Goffs Breeding Stock Sale.
