15 July 2017
Photo scoopdyga.com
Bred in France by his owner the Aga Khan, Shakeel had to dig deep to finally edge British raider Permian in the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris. The Aga Khan has now equalled a 113 years-old record with this 7th win in one of the French premier races.
Shakeel (Dalakhani) gave his owner-breeder Aga Khan a 7th win in the Juddmonte Grand Prix of Paris (Gr1) on Friday night, Bastille Day, at Saint-Cloud, equalling the record set by French owner Edmond Blanc 113 years ago in 1904. There is however a particular twist in that record since unlike his predecessors', the Aga Khan's horses won these 7 races over three different distances and four different trips. Initially run over 3,100 meters at Longchamp, it was shortened to 2,000m in 1987 and extended to 2,400m in 2005, and left Longchamp for two years as the Parisian racecourse is being rebuilt.
Trained by Alain de Royer Dupré and ridden by Christophe Soumillon (who won the 100th Group 1 of his career on this occasion), Shakeel grabbed British raider Permian (Teofilo)'s lead in the final straight to take a nose on the post. Always well positioned behind the leaders, Irish raider Venice Beach (Galileo) finished third in front of Ice Breeze (Nayef), who had slightly edged Shakeel last time out at Chantilly in the Prix Hocquart Longines (Gr2).
Third for his debut last November in Saint-Cloud, then third again for his return behind Plumatic (Dubawi) and Malkoboy (Rajsaman), Shakeel finally won his maiden race at Chantilly in the Prix de Ferrières in front of Malkoboy. He then finished second in the Prix du Lys (Gr3) at Saint-Cloud behind Called to the Bar (Henrythenavigator), second in the Belmont Derby (Gr1) last weekend. He was just beaten at Chantilly in a very hot Prix Hocquart Longines, and once again showed how genuine he was on Friday.
Shakeel’s dam Shamiyra did not run and she was sold €190,000 at Arqana Breeding Saleafter the birth of this first foal, while in foal to Kendargent. That younger brother Shamdor is also in training with Alain de Royer Dupré. Since then, Shamiyra has given a son by Oasis Dream sold as a weanling for €85,000, again at Arqana.
Talismanic (Medaglia d'Oro) took the Prix Maurice de Nieuil (Gr2) on Friday evening, July 14 for Godolphin and trainer André Fabre. In the Prix Roland de Chambure (L), the 2yo gelding Cold Stare (Intense Focus) won on the wire for his second race only, for owners Melissa O'Neill (trainer Eoghan O'Neill's wife) and Susan Davis.