Saturday 7 July 2012
The Aga Khan Studs team continues its rich vein of form with three Stakes victories during the weekend in France and Ireland.
The highly-promising RIDASIYNA stretched her unbeaten run to three when the daughter of Motivator picked up the Group 3 Prix Chloé at Chantilly on Sunday. Stepped back in trip to nine furlongs after winning over 11 furlongs on her debut and then a Listed contest over a mile and a quarter, the filly was always in control of this latest test. Christophe Lemaire asked for an effort two furlongs from home and she sailed past the post with two lengths in hand from second-placed Romantica. Future plans have yet to be decided for Mikel Delzangles’ charge and the Aga Khan Studs are particularly well-armed in this category this season as the stable also possesses Prix de Diane heroine Valyra (Azamour) and Gr 1 Prix Saint-Alary victrix Sagawara (Shamardal).
At the Irish Derby meeting at the Curragh, the Aga Khan Studs enjoyed a pair of successes for trainer John Oxx. Progressive HARTANI made light of the testing conditions in the Gr 3 Curragh Cup to reveal himself as a future St Leger candidate. This three-year old son of Shirocco was racing for only the fourth time in his career and has now won his latest three outings. He adapted well to the step up in trip and class to score by an impressive five and a half lengths.
On the same card, SHARESTAN (Shamardal) showed his worth once again in Listed company, winning his second contest at this level so far this season in the Celebration Stakes on Saturday. SHARESTAN quickened stylishly to dominate by three lengths and three-quarters, with fellow colour-bearer Mizani filling the runner-up spot. Equally capable at a mile or ten furlongs, the lightly-raced four-year-old has also finished third in Group 3 company in May.
A year younger, the grey Mizani is a progressive type who has already won two outings this year, including a conditions event by eight and a half lengths. By Bachelor Duke, this colt is out of an unraced Zafonic daughter of Prix Jacques le Marois winner Miss Satamixa.
Updated on 03/07/2012.
