HE may be one of the last foals born this year at the Aga Khan Studs, but few will have been more anticipated and welcomed than that of the colt by Harzand (Sea The Stars) out of Sichilla, the stakes-winning daughter of Danehill (Danzig).

It was the first foal born to the mare for five years, and just her seventh living offspring. Of the previous six, one was never named, while the five that were all ran, all won, and four of them are stakes winners. Sichilla is an ultra-successful matron and one whose influence will be felt for some time. Her first foal is her best to date and he is Siyouni (Pivotal). Winner of the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, he is now a leading sire who commands a covering fee of €100,000 at His Highness’ Haras de Bonneval. His Group 1 winners are both fillies, Laurens and Ervedya, but this number will certainly increase and his group tally of 15 and blacktype winners tally of 29 is just the tip of the iceberg.