HIS Highness The Aga Khan’s Haras de Bonneval in Normandy is the home of Dariyan, a son of Shamardal. He was the champion older horse in France over 10 furlongs in 2016, after defeating Silverwave in the Group 1 Prix Ganay.
Unraced as a two-year-old, Dariyan scored in the important Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam at three and he was placed in Group 1 events in both his seasons in training with Alain de Royer Dupre.
Dariyan had his first runners in 2020 and has made an excellent start, with 12 winners, including My Kurkum, who was third in the Group 3 Prix des Chenes at ParisLongchamp, and Princesse De Saba, third in the Group 3 Prix du Bois, also at ParisLongchamp.
His yearlings fetched up to 120,000gns and €115,000.
Second on his debut when beaten only a short neck in the Prix Juigne at Longchamp, Dariyan won his next two races, the Prix Good Luck and the Prix Mendez, both at Saint-Cloud, having two and a half lengths to spare each time. After a fourth place finish in the Group 3 Prix du Lys, he won the Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam at Maisons-Laffitte, defeating War Dispatch by a length and a half, then was second to French Derby star New Bay in the Group 2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville.
Dariyan ended that season with a creditable third to Highland Reel and Flintshire in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase. He was in Dubai three months later, finishing second to Postponed in the Group 2 City of Gold Stakes.
Back in France, he was in the winners’ circle at Saint-Cloud after defeating Silverwave by a length and a half in the Group 1 Prix Ganay over 10 and a half furlongs. Then in the Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan he was second to Japanese star A Shin Hikari.
Dariyan’s form that year earned him the title of champion older horse in France over medium distances, 1lb above New Bay.
Shamardal, the sire of Dariyan, was a European champion in both his seasons in training, with wins including the French classic double of the Poule d’Essai des Poulains-French 2000 Guineas, and the Prix du Jockey-Club-French Derby. He has made a tremendous impact at stud, with 26 Group 1 stars, among them Lope De Vega, Blue Point, Pinatubo, Mukhadram and Able Friend.
Dariyan’s dam Daryakana won five races, including the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase and the Group 2 Prix de Royallieu. Also dam of US Grade 2 star Devamani, she is by Selkirk out of champion filly Daryaba, successful in the Group 1 Prix de Diane and Prix Vermeille.
DARIYAN (FR), Bay 2012. Top rated older horse in France in 2016 (9.5-11f.). Won four races, £581,838, from 1 mile 2 furlongs to 1½ miles, at 3 and 4 years including, Prix Ganay, Saint-Cloud, Gr.1, P.Eugene Adam (G.P.de Maisons-Laffitte), Maisons-Laffitte, Gr.2, also placed second in Prix d’Ispahan, Chantilly, Gr.1, Prix Guillaume d’Ornano-Logis St Germain, Deauville, Gr.2, SkyCargo Dubai City of Gold Stakes, Meydan, Gr.2, and third in Longines Hong Kong Vase, Sha Tin, Gr.1.
Retired to Stud in 2017, and sire of the winners of 13 races, and £161,400, including My Kurkum (GB), Princesse De Saba (FR)
Stands at: Haras de Bonneval, 14270 Le Mesnil-Mauger, France.
Contact: Georges Rimaud or Fanny Cypres
Telephone: +33 (0) 2 31 48 18 60
Email: georges.rimaud@agakhanstuds.com
Web: www.agakhanstuds.com
Fee: €8,000