Vadsa

Family 20d

1979 b. f. Halo - Rainbow's Edge (Creme Dela Creme)

Jean-Luc Lagardère’s pursuit of American blood was a successful strategy, supplying him with Vadsa in addition to Sichilla.

Bred by E.P. Taylor out of the minor winner Rainbow’s Edge and raced in France, the Listed-placed Vadsa compiled the tremendous record of 13 winners from 14 foals at stud led by Listed winner Vadsa Honor, whose son Vahorimix was awarded both the Poule d’Essai des Poulains and Prix Jacques le Marois.

In keeping with several other important Lagardère families, the Vadsa line became an immediate asset for the Aga Khan since lurking in the package were two horses of Group 1 potential in Vadawina and Valixir, who carried the green and red to victory in the Prix Saint-Alary and Queen Anne Stakes just months after the acquisition had gone through. The pair both descended from Vadsa’s Listed-winning Linamix granddaughter Vadlamixa, herself out of the Listed-placed Bikala mare Vadlava. While Valixir belongs to the branch also responsible for Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Val Royal and in later years top miler Vadamos, Vadawina has forged something of her own legacy, with her seven winners including the Group 2 scorer Vadamar and Vaderana, dam of the Eclipse Stakes and Prix du Jockey Club winner Vadeni. 

Vadawina’s dam Vadaza also produced the Aga Khan’s homebred 2014 Prix Saint-Alary winner Vazira.

As for Vadlava, her influence doesn’t end there as she was also third dam of the ill-fated 2012 Prix de Diane heroine Valyra and her Group 2-winning half-brother Valirann, a successful jumps sire in Ireland.

Other notable members of the Vadsa family include the 2025 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Vertical Blue.

This family remains a significant one for the Aga Khan Studs, not only as the source of Vadeni, now in his second season at Haras de Bonneval, but also mares led by Vaderana and the Group 1 race fillies Vazira and Valia.