DALAKHANI (by Darshaan) was a brilliant middle-distance racehorse who left the impression that he may have been capable of even more had he stayed on as a four-year-old.

His older half-brother Daylami (by Doyoun) had, after all, got better with age and that classic and prolific international Group 1 star reached a Timeform figure of 138, 5lbs higher than they rated Dalakhani.

Both are classic sires now but this time it is Dalakhani who is proven the better, firmly established among the best sires in Europe with seven Group 1 stars among more than 40 individual stakes winners, and whose top-class son Reliable Man (dam by Sadler’s Wells) has his first Northern Hemisphere-born foals arriving now.

It is as three-year-olds and older horses that Dalakhani’s progeny excel, and in addition to his afore mentioned Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club winning son, his top males include the German Group 1 scorer Seismos (dam by Dashing Blade), the Group 1 Irish St Leger winner Duncan (dam by Danehill), and the outstanding Conduit (dam by Sadler’s Wells) who won the St Leger, the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and two editions of the Breeders’ Cup Turf – all Group/Grade 1.

Moonstone (dam by Law Society), who won the Group 1 Irish Oaks shortly after being runner-up in the Group 1 Oaks at Epsom, came from his first crop, as did the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes heroine Chinese White (dam by Sadler’s Wells), and Moonstone’s first two foals are the stakes winning colts Nevis (by Dansili) and Stubbs (by Danehill Dancer).

Last year Cheveley Park Stud’s homebred Integral (dam by Danehill) showed herself to be one of the best filly milers in training with victory in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes and in the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes.

Terrubi (dam by Diesis) was a notable four-year-old in France in 2014, beating Brown Panther in the Group 2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil, taking a listed contest at Saint-Cloud, and failing by just a nose to add the Group 3 Prix de Barbeville at Longchamp.

Silk Sari (dam by Rainbow Quest) was among the leading staying fillies of the season, a pattern placed four-year-old whose form leaped forwards in the latter half of the season, taking a listed contest at Newbury, then a five-length score in the Group 2 Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster, before chasing home Madame Chiang in the Group 1 Qipco British Champions Fillies/Mares Stakes at Ascot.

Among earlier pattern winners for their sire, Vadamar (dam by Unfuwain) was beaten less than five lengths when fifth behind Pour Moi in the 2011 Derby but later beat Solemia in the Group 2 Prix du Conseil de Paris, was short-headed by Tac De Boistron in the Group 2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil, and took third in the Group 1 Gran Premio di Milano.

Baraan (dam by Grindstone) was a classic placed pattern winner in France, and although fourth does not count for blacktype, the close fourth place finish of the dual pattern scorer Deem (dam by Sadler’s Wells), behind Dar Re Mi in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic in 2010, deserves a mention.

Dalakhani was a brilliant racehorse, he is a well-established leading sire who has got seven Group 1 winners to his name, including several classic stars. He is popular at the yearling sales, has an exciting sire son with first foals arriving now in Europe, and the growing list of blacktype winners produced from his daughters include last year’s Group 2 May Hill Stakes heroine Agnes Stewart (by Lawman).

DALAKHANI (IRE)

Race record: Winner of 8 races, from 2-3 years, over 7-12f inc Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Gr.1, Prix du Jockey Club, Gr.1, Prix Lupin, Gr.1, Criterium International, Gr.1, Prix Niel, Gr.2, Prix Greffulhe, Gr.2, Prix des Chenes, Gr.3, 2nd Irish Derby, Gr.1, all his starts.

Stud record: Retired to stud in 2004. 41 SW inc Chinese White (Pretty Polly Stakes, Gr.1), Conduit (Breeders’ Cup Turf, Gr.1-twice, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Gr.1, St Leger Stakes, Gr.1), Duncan (Irish St Leger, Gr.1), Integral (Sun Chariot Stakes, Gr.1, Falmouth Stakes, Gr.1), Moonstone (Irish Oaks, Gr.1), Reliable Man (Prix du Jockey Club, Gr.1, Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Gr.1), Seismos (Gross Preis von Bayern, Gr.1), Armure (Gr.2), Centennial (Gr.2), Democrate (Gr.2), Silk Sari (Gr.2 winner, Gr.1 placed), Terrubi (Gr.2), Vadamar (Gr.2 winner, Gr.1 placed), etc. Yearlings made up to €225,000 in 2014

Stands at: Gilltown Stud, Kilcullen, Co Kildare.

Contact: Pat Downes (manager) or Julie White on +353 (0)45 481216

E-mail: pat.downes@agakhanstuds.com

Website: www.agakhanstuds.com/Dalakhani

Fee: €17,000