The first European Group 1 race of the season was dominated by Sea The Stars, capping an excellent three days for the Gilltown Stud sire.

Wertheimer homebred Sosie, winner of the Gr.1 Grand Prix de Paris and fourth in the Arc last year, triumphed in the Gr.1 Prix Ganay, with Wathnan Racing’s Map Of Stars finishing in second place to make it a one-two for Sea The Stars.

“We didn't know if he was ready enough, but I think he's simply very good!” said Pierre-Yves Bureau of Sosie, who was making his seasonal debut. “He probably still has some room for improvement. He's confirmed his excellent three-year-old season, with the Grand Prix de Paris, the Niel, and the Arc... He also ran very well in the Jockey Club. He's proved today that he can also win a Group 1 over 2100m.

“For the rest of his programme, there's the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, the King George... I need to check with his trainer if we can also consider a race like the Eclipse. In the second half of the year, we'll obviously prepare him for the Arc!"

The Wertheimers also enjoyed success on the same card with Aventure, who landed the Gr.3 Prix Allez France by two and a half lengths. This daughter of Sea The Stars was runner-up in last year’s Arc as well as being the winner of the Gr.2 Prix de Pomone and Gr.3 Prix de Royaumont.

Another Wertheimer homebred by Sea The Stars, Internaute, narrowly failed to make it a three-timer at ParisLongchamp, when finishing second by a head in the Gr.3 Prix de Barbeville.

Meanwhile in the UK on Friday, Sea The Stars gelding Al Aasy broke the £500,000 prize money barrier when winning the Gr.3 Gordon Stakes at Sandown, a ninth Stakes success for the Shadwell-owned eight-year-old.

After another excellent start to the season, Sea The Stars is currently the leading sire in Europe by prize money and second by percentage of Stakes winners to runners.

The other Aga Khan sires have also enjoyed a fruitful few days.

On Thursday, Blue Diamond Stud homebred Burhan became Siyouni’s 85^th individual Stakes winner in the Listed Prix Pont du Neuf. His daughter Queen’s Reign very nearly became his 86^th, finishing second by a short head in the Listed Prix Maurice Zilber on the Ganay card.

On Saturday, Zarak posted his 30^th individual Stakes winner when D’Ores Et Deja claimed the Listed Henkel-Stutenpreis at Düsseldorf. Bred by Isabelle Corbani and Group placed in France at two, she holds an entry in the Gr.1 Prix de Diane for owner Al Shaqab Racing.

The following day, Zarak filly Laurelin won her second black-type race in the USA, taking the Memories Of Silver Stakes at Aqueduct. She was bred by Mark Dixon and Mount Coote Stud, she sold for €160,000 as a yearling at Goffs Orby in 2023 and now races in the colours of Newstead Stables.