Monday 14 January 2013
The versatility of the Aga Khan Studs has been in evidence once again in the early part of 2013, with five successes for the breeding operation over three continents during one week.
MIZANI set the ball rolling on Sunday 6th January with victory on his first outing in Hong Kong, where the grandson of Miss Satamixa is now trained by Richard Gibson. The grey four-year-old scored in the competitive Violet Handicap over seven furlongs at Sha Tin and now holds entries in the Classic Mile on 20 January and in the Hong Kong Derby in March. By Bachelor Duke, MIZANI is a half-brother to Listed runner-up Sakza (Sakhee). He had won two races in Ireland for H.H. the Aga Khan in 2012, and placed second in the Listed Celebration Stakes behind fellow Aga Khan colour bearer SHARESTAN (Shamardal).
Like MIZANI, SHARESTAN has also been sold privately and gone on to achieve success for new connections. On his debut for Godolphin at Meydan on 10 January, the entire ran out the impressive four-length winner of the Al Rashidiya Trial in record time over the course and distance. Already a dual Listed winner and Group 3 third in Ireland, the lightly raced five-year-old will now be aimed at the Gr 2 Al Rashidiya on 31 January. He is a half-brother to Group 3 victrix Shareen (Bahri) and Listed placed Sharleez (Marju).
Over jumps, DIAKALI earned his place among the favourites in the forthcoming Gr1 Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March with success in the Gr 3 Juvenile Hurdle. Sold for 160,000 Euros at Arqana to Willie Mullins in July 2012, the son of Sinndar is now unbeaten in two outings over hurdles.
Dalasari also looks to have a bright future after opening his account on his second attempt for trainer Sabrina Harty. The four-year-old son of Dylan Thomas is out of a Sadler’s Wells half-sister to Dalakhani and Daylami and was sold for €15,500 at Goffs in October 2011.
In Australia, the Aga Khan bloodlines were highlighted by the victory of Cathay Lady in the Listed Belle of the Turf Stakes at Gosford on 10 January. Five-year-old Cathay Lady is a daughter of the Aga Khan Studs-bred Sinndar mare Kerimba, and Exceed And Excel. Her dam was sold by the Aga Khan Studs in December 2005 for €40,000 at the Arqana breeding stock sales.
Updated on 14/01/2013.
