Purple patch of winners for the Aga Khan silks
Seven winners in seven days.
Cankoura
The Aga Khan Studs and trainer Francis-Henri Graffard enjoyed a remarkable run of success, securing four consecutive winners over two days of racing at Chantilly and Saint-Cloud.
On Monday, Cankoura cruised to a dominant nine-length victory in the Prix de la Pistole, marking herself as a potential contender for the Gr.1 Prix de Diane. The grey filly inherited her colour from Group 2 winner and Group 1 placed dam Candarliya, who has also produced 2024 Group winner Candala and Stakes-placed Carini.
Kerkila
Kerkila made a winning debut in the very next race, claiming victory in the Prix du Bassin des Serruriers over 6 ½ furlongs. The three-year-old filly is out of Kestila, a daughter of Siyouni, and is a half-sister to Keshapour, who won at the same track just a week earlier.
The next runner in the Aga Khan silks, Zalari, showcased impressive speed too. The three-year-old son of Kodiac made a striking seasonal debut in the Prix du Bassin des Princes, securing a commanding six-length win in this 6 ½-furlong contest. Zalari is out of Zayva, a Listed-winning mare purchased by Joseph Burke at the Goffs November Sale last year.
Zalari
On Tuesday, Benamira built on her debut second-place finish from three weeks ago, producing a strong late run to claim victory in the Prix Mirska over a mile and a half. The three-year-old daughter of Waldgeist is out of Behnasa, a proven Stakes producer who recently foaled a Vadeni filly.
Asmarani capped off this remarkable run with a promising second-place finish on debut in the Prix Goodly.
Sibayan
Sibayan, who had not been seen since his run in the Grand Prix de Paris last year, made a successful comeback on Thursday, winning the Prix de Morienval at Compiègne by four lengths. The four-year-old, a Listed winner last season, could now step back up to Stakes company. He is the second foal of Sirrin, a Listed-winning daughter of Sea The Stars.
Equally impressive was Surabad, who stormed home on Friday to claim his second career victory in the Prix Caracalla at Saint-Cloud. The three-year-old son of Bated Breath secured the win by seven lengths under hands-and-heels riding. He hails from the family of Sendawar.
Tarima
The Irish contingent capped off this successful run with a seventh and final winner in the form of a highly promising filly. Tarima lived up to expectations, making a winning debut at Leopardstown. This blue-blooded filly is a sister to two champions—triple Group 1 winner Tarnawa and four-time Group 1 winner Tahiyra.
Her trainer, Dermot Weld, commented after the race: “Each one of the sisters are different, but there is a tremendous blend of speed and stamina that runs through the family […] She is still babyish mentally and I expect a lot of progress. Hopefully, she develops to be a Stakes filly.”
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