Thursday 9 April 2009
KADABI became the latest in a succession of former Aga Khan graduates to excel for his new connections when lifting Tuesday’s Gr 3 contest against the best French hurdlers of his generation. He therefore follows in the footsteps of recent success stories under both codes such as Triumph Hurdle hero ZAYNAR, Hong Kong Gr 3 winner Eyshal, Graded performers and looking further back, French champion hurdler Zaiyad, multiple Group victrix TASHELKA and Gr 1 globetrotter Linngari who has now returned to the Aga Khan’s Haras de Bonneval.
KADABI was sold privately by the Aga Khan Studs in 2008 after having won one race on the flat and finished in the first three on each of his other six outings. The grey colt opened his hurdling account for his new owner Gérard Augustin-Normand and trainer Jehan Bertran de Balanda on his second attempt in a conditions event at Auteuil. After warming up for 2009 with a victory on the flat at Fontainebleau, he took fourth place in his first race in Graded company in March. He reversed that form on Tuesday when staying on well from the back of the field to win a competitive edition of the Gr 3 Prix Pépinvast 4yo hurdle from former Gr-placed flat performer Blue Brésil and Gr 1 hurdle winner Long Run. The consistent KADABI , who now counts two wins and three places in five hurdle races, looks to have a bright future over timber and his connections believe he will improve over longer distances in the future.
KADABI is a pure product of the Aga Khan Studs, being a son of Dalakhani and Kahyasi’s half-sister Kadaka (Sadler’s Wells), a Listed winner and runner up in the Gr 3 Park Hill Stakes.
Classic sire Dalakhani, sire of Irish Oaks heroine Moonstone and St Leger and Breeders’ Cup winner Conduit in 2008, has already demonstrated his versatility. In addition to KADABI, he has also produced King Of Queens, Gr 1 third over hurdles in Ireland.
The Aga Khan Studs are currently offering 13 unraced three-year-olds for private sale. For more details of these seven fillies and seven colts and geldings, please go to the sales section of our website.
Updated on 09/04/2009
