Aga Khan back in Group 1 limelight courtesy of Siyarafina's Longchamp triumph

The Aga Khan is no stranger to top-flight success, but the victory of Siyarafina in the Saxon Warrior Coolmore Prix Saint Alary at Longchamp on Sunday was welcomed especially warmly after the powerful owner-breeder had drawn a rare Group 1 blank in 2018.

A total of 155 Group 1 winners have been owned by the Aga Khan and Princess Zahra Aga Khan, but not since Shakeel landed the Grand Prix de Paris on July 14, 2017 had the distinctive green silks with red epaulettes returned victorious from a top-flight contest.

However, Sunday proved to be fruitful day for the Aga Khan, as not only did Siyarafina, a daughter of Pivotal out of a half-sister to Haras de Bonneval sire Siyouni, end the Group 1 drought, but Zarkallani, a son of Invincible Spirit and Zarkava, also recorded a first victory. Both three-year-olds are trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre.

"It's always interesting because both horses are well-bred but that isn’t always an absolute guarantee [of ability]," said George Rimaud, manager of the Aga Khan's French studs. "The fact that they both performed today is reassuring, especially because last year was slightly difficult for us.

"The continuity of the breeding programme remains strong and, when the planets align, you get days like this, despite the strong competition. It's reassuring to everyone connected with the studs and obviously the Prince is delighted, as is Princess Zahra."

Siyarafina returns victorious in the Saxon Warrior Coolmore Prix Saint AlaryCredit: Scott Burton

As a close relation to Siyouni, who counts last year's Prix Saint Alary winner Laurens among a host of major talents on his burgeoning stud record, Siyarafina rates a hugely significant future broodmare prospect for the Aga Khan. Similar comments apply to Zarkallani, who retains enormous residual value as a stallion prospect, being by an emerging sire of sires and out of an unbeaten champion.

"It's great because the last couple of years haven’t been so easy and we have a lot of hope invested in her [Siyarafina], and of course in the colt [Zarkallani] as well. Albeit he won at a lower category today, he is clearly going the right way," said Rimaud. "And we have two or three other fillies in the stable who are progressing as well and will be interesting for the future."

However, after just three outings, the surface may only just have been scratched as to the full extent of Siyarafina's ability. Her next run seems likely to come in the Prix de Diane, a race the Aga Khan has won seven times previously, most recently with Valyra in 2012.

"I think Siyarafina will be the only runner in the Diane," said Rimaud. "We used different tactics today and she looked like she will stay the extra 100 metres, albeit Chantilly is a different track. We are hopeful and the trainer certainly knows what is required to win that race."

Royer-Dupre has trained six of those seven Prix de Diane winners, and having spoken to the Aga Khan by telephone after Sunday's race, he said: "He was very happy because we all know we had a difficult period last year when we didn’t have so many good horses. He is very happy to know we are back racing for the big prizes."

The Prix de Diane is unlikely to be end of the excitement for Siyarafina's strand of the family, as her dam, Siyenica, has a two-year-old Invincible Spirit filly (named Syrdarya in training with Royre-Dupre), a yearling colt by Golden Horn, and Rimaud confirmed she is safely in foal to Almanzor.

Related news:

Pivotal hits 30 top-flight winners as Siyarafina strikes in Prix Saint Alary

Shades of mum as Zarkava's son Zarkallani storms home at Longchamp

Why the Aga Khan Studs owe so much to one Lagardere-bred mare