SIX group performers are among the early winners for His Highness The Aga Khan’s Dariyan, a son of Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway) who stands at Haras de Bonneval in Normandy. Dariyan was the champion older horse in France over 10 furlongs at four, after beating Silverwave in the Group 1 Prix Ganay.

Unraced at two, Dariyan won the 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 when he made an excellent start, with 12 winners. He had his best year, stakes-wise, in 2022 when Mister Saint Paul won the Group 3 Prix La Force, Galaxie Gold was runner-up in the Group 2 Prix Hocquart, Elizar was second in the Grade 3 Kent Stakes in the USA and Anatiya was stakes-placed in Germany.

Saint-Cloud

Beaten a short neck in the at Longchamp on his debut, Dariyan won his next two races, 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, before finishing second to French Derby star New Bay in the Group 2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville. He ended that season with a creditable third to Highland Reel and Flintshire in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase.

Dariyan 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. 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 middle 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 made a tremendous impact at stud, and among his Group 1 stars are Lope De Vega, Blue Point, Pinatubo, Mukhadram, Tarnawa and Able Friend.

Dariyan’s dam Daryakana (Selkirk) won five races, including the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase and the Group 2 Prix de Royallieu, and four of her five winners are stakes winners. They include the US Grade 2 star Devamani (Dubawi), and listed winners Darabad (Dansili) and Dariyza (Dawn Approach), Daryakana is out of the champion filly Daryaba (Night Shift), 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 85 races, and £1,370,898, including MISTER SAINT PAUL (FR), Galaxie Gold (FR), Elizar (FR), My Kurkum (GB), Princesse De Saba (FR), Anatiya (FR), and Dary Ci (FR)

Stands at: Haras de Bonneval, 14270 Le Mesnil-Mauger, France.

Contact: Georges Rimaud or Fanny Cyprés

Telephone: +33 231 481860

Email: georges.rimaud@agakhanstuds.com

Web: www.agakhanstuds.com

Fee: €5,000