Thursday 12 April 2012
The Aga Khan Studs have enjoyed an excellent run of form recently in Australia, headed by MANIGHAR’s third consecutive Group 1 victory in the BMW Tancred Stakes at Rosehill. The Aga Khan Studs partnership with Arrowfield has also made the best possible start, with a win from the first of the operation’s produce to race, and the latest generation of yearlings popular in the ring.
The Aga Khan bred six-year-old MANIGHAR has been a revelation in 2012, winning his last three outings, all at the highest level. The son of Linamix is now undoubtedly Australia’s leading middle-distance performer, with Group 1 successes over ten furlongs and a mile and a half. MANIGHAR was in control throughout the BMW Stakes on his latest appearance, finally scoring by a length and a half from Melbourne Cup hero Americain. He becomes the first horse in history to complete the Australian Cup, Ranvet Stakes, BMW treble in the same season. MANIGHAR could now continue his pursuit of Group 1 glory with a start in the AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes over ten furlongs at Randwick on 28th April and he is then likely to be aimed at the Cox Plate in October.
Among the juvenile generation, the Aga Khan Studs – Arrowfield joint venture which was launched in 2008 has made an excellent start thanks to debut winner ROWIE. This Flying Spur colt is out of the unraced Tazkara (Sinndar), one of eight Aga Khan mares sent to Australia since 2008 to be covered by Arrowfield sires. ROWIE is owned by a partnership including trainer Paul Messara, Arrowfield Stud chairman John Messara and Paul Rowe, in memory of whose late son the colt is named. ROWIE, who won a minor contest on his debut at Randwick last week, is highly regarded by his connections and could develop into a high-class miler.
The next generation of produce from this joint venture are now being presented for public sale and one colt is destined for Hong Kong after being sold at the Inglis Easter yearling sale for Aus$200,000 to John Foote. This youngster is also by Flying Spur but out of Stakes-placed DARALARA (Barathea) and is therefore closely related to three-time Group 1 winner Darjina.
Updated on 12/04/2012.
