Wednesday 9 May 2012
The Aga Khan Studs duo of KESAMPOUR and TAKAR demonstrated their Classic potential at the weekend with victories in the Gr 2 Prix Greffulhe and Listed Tetrarch Stakes respectively.
The unbeaten KESAMPOUR was successful back at Saint-Cloud racecourse where he has recorded all four of his career wins to date. Taking on Group company for the first time, the son of King’s Best stuck well to his task in the final stages of the ten-furlong Greffulhe on heavy ground, winning by a head from the promising Albion. Already an impressive Listed scorer at the track over ten and a half furlongs, Mikel Delzangles’ charge was a late entry to the Epsom Derby in April and he could well be directed towards the English Classic. KESAMPOUR is out of winning Hernando mare Kasatana, who is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Kassani and Group 3 scorer Kassana who has already enjoyed Classic glory in the paddocks as dam of Irish St Leger heroine Kastoria.
In Ireland, TAKAR is now Irish 2000 Guineas-bound. This colt built on the promise he showed as a juvenile when running out the stylish winner of the Listed Tetrarch Stakes at the Curragh. The victory was all the more pleasing as trainer John Oxx reported that the colt had suffered setbacks in his preparation. By Oratorio, TAKAR is a son of winning mare TAKARouna (Green Dancer), a half-sister to Gr 2 Dante Stakes scorer Torjoun and dam of five further winners including three at Stakes level.
On the same Curragh card, four-year-old SHARESTAN (Shamardal) picked up more black type with third place in the Gr 3 Mooresbridge Stakes. Only twice raced at three, SHARESTAN won the important Irish Lincoln on his debut this season and then was beaten just a head to take second in the Listed Heritage Stakes in April. SHARESTAN is a half-brother to Group 3 victrix Shareen.
Updated on 09/05/2012.
