The Aga Khan Stars Also Shine

re: The Aga Khan Stars Also Shine

Ryan — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:19:40 GMT

Outstanding article Alan...I really enjoy reading your family commentary. Keep up the great work!!!

I was lucky enough to attend the races this weekend at Longchamp and have to say the most impressive performance of the weekend was on Saturday from the filly Daryakana. She exploded when called on for her run. She ran by us so fast that the hairs on my neck stood out. People were still talking about her on Sunday after the races. What an amazing weekend of racing! :)

re: The Aga Khan Stars Also Shine

Alan Porter — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:49:26 GMT

Hi Ann,

Perhaps I'd redefine that to say it was a fairly light catalog page in commercial terms, especially with the last major winner being in 1987. However, I would that it remained a solid racehorse family, even though Mintly Fresh was the only black-type for her dam, who in turn gained her black-type place in an overnight stakes.

Funnily enough, this was a typical Lagardere mare. A decent runner from a family which had been a little quiet recently - which kept them in budget - but going back to a good tap-root.

re: The Aga Khan Stars Also Shine

Ann in Lexington — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:06:04 GMT

I have to disagree with your description of Manighar's family as 'fairly light'. Mintly Fresh was a SP (at Santa Anita) winner and all of her half-siblings to race were above average winners (SSI more than 1). Her dam Mintly was a SP winning half-sister to G1 winner Minstrel's Lassie. And the next dam Syriasly was a half-sister to group/graded-placed SWs Northerly (sire of G1 winner Cupecoy's Joy) and Salutely (a successful Maryland sire).

IMHO, a 'light' family would consist of mares who produced numerous unraced horses, non-winners, or below average winners, no stakes horses, or maybe SP at cheap tracks. Or the frequently-seen mare who has one good SW, then the rest of her foals are unraced or placed at best.