Monday 17 September 2018
All elements of the Aga Khan Studs activity were in the limelight during a busy weekend highlighted by a fourth Group 1 success for SIYOUNI’s daughter LAURENS, and a fifth Group victory for EZIYRA. The blue-blooded ZARKAMIYA took an excellent third place in the Gr. 1 Prix Vermeille, while the progeny of Aga Khan Studs bred dams, FLAG OF HONOUR and TORNIBUSH, also shone at Group level.
Already winner of the Gr. 1 Prix de Diane, Prix Saint-Alary and Fillies Mile, LAURENS further enhanced her reputation with a stunning victory in the Gr. 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown. The tough daughter of Haras de Bonneval-based SIYOUNI, who filled the runner-up spot in the 1000 Guineas in May, will return to Newmarket for her next target, the Gr. 1 Sun Chariot Stakes on 6th October.
The Aga Khan silks were carried to success during Irish Champions Weekend by the consistent EZIYRA who recorded her fifth Stakes win when lifting the Gr. 2 Blandford Stakes at the Curragh in fine style. The four-year-old daughter of Teofilo is out of a half-sister to Group 1 winning quartet of Enzeli, Estimate, Ebadiyla and Edabiya. Successful over seven furlongs to a mile and a half, EZIYRA will now embark on an international campaign, with objectives being the EP Taylor Stakes in Canada and the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.
In France, ZARKAMIYA (Frankel) took a highly creditable third place in the Gr. 1 Prix Vermeille, won by her unbeaten dam Zarkava back in 2008. Already a Listed winner at Longchamp in July, ZARKAMIYA will now likely be aimed at the Gr. 2 Prix de Royallieu on Arc weekend.
Aga Khan Studs maternal lines also took their share of honours over the weekend, thanks to Gr. 1 Irish St Leger hero FLAG OF HONOUR, and Group 3 scorer TORNIBUSH. Three-year-old FLAG OF HONOUR (Galileo) has won his last three outings, all at Group level, and emerges as a top-class stayer for the future. He is out of the winning Aga Khan Studs-bred Hawala (Warning) who has already produced three Stakes winners and Gr. 1 Irish Guineas runner-up Foxtrot Romeo. TORNIBUSH (Dream Ahead) is the second son of juvenile winner CELENZA (Dansili), who is the half-sister to Group 1 winner Vadamos, from the family of Valixir and Val Royal.
Updated on 17/09/2018.
