Aga Khan Studs Announces Mating Plans for Some Stars

The Aga Khan Studs has announced the 2025 mating plans for some of its star mares, with its roster of five stallions all receiving strong support from the home broodmare band. Leading French-based sire Siyouni will cover over 20 home mares. Among the maidens are group 2 winner Hanalia, group 3 winner Sumiha and stakes winner Ashiyma, while more established mares include Azmiyna, dam of multiple group 1 winner The Autumn Sun; Calayana, dam of group 2 winner and dual group 1 runner-up Calandagan; and listed winner Shahnaza. Group 2 winner Darkaniya and Zarkava's daughter Zarkala will also visit Siyouni after producing their first foals this spring, together with group 3 winner Tariyana; Dolia, a stakes-placed daughter of group 1 winner Dolniya; Malicieuse, a half-sister to champion Bago; and La Fiamma, a granddaughter of Six Perfections. Gilltown Stud stalwart Sea The Stars, who finished 2024 as the leading sire of 3-year-olds in Europe, will receive a select trio of Aga Khan mares - namely last season's Gr.1 Poules d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Rouhiya; Sicinya, a young half-sister to Siyouni; and Baiykara, a group winning daughter of Zarak. Zarak himself, who was second only to his own sire Dubawi by percentage of group winners to runners in 2024, will cover 15 Aga Khan mares, with particularly well-related individuals including Ereviya, a three-quarters sister to triple group 1 winner Ervedya; Tasalka, a half sister to the dam of multiple group 1 winners Tarnawa and Tahiyra; and Etneya, a group-placed half-sister to the dam of Gr.1 Oaks winner Ezeliya; as well as stakes winner and group 1 runner-up Sagamiyra. Ebba, a winning half-sister to Ebaiyra, is also from this illustrious 'E' family, while the 'H' family is represented by Hanakiyya, dam of three group winners including Hanalia. Second season sires Vadeni and Erevann will again be supported by the Aga Khan Studs. Among champion 3-Year-Old Vadeni's book will be group 1 winner Ridasiyna, whose Churchill 3-year-old, Ridari, will make his seasonal debut in the Prix de Fontainebleau (G3). Vadeni will also cover Siyenica, a stakes-winning and group 2-placed half sister to Siyouni who is already the dam of group 1 winner Siyarafina. Also among Vadeni's mares are Dalma, a Dubawi daughter of Gr.1 Prix de l'Opéra winner Dalkala; group 3 winner and Gr.1 Moyglare Stud stakes fourth Rehana; and Kineta, a winning young mare from the family of High Chaparral. Group 2-winning miler Erevann meanwhile is set to cover Dubai Sheema Classic (G1T) winner Dolniya; Prix Saint-Alary (G1) heroine Vazira; Zarshana, a group winning half sister to Zarkava; group winner and producer Ebiyza; stakes winner and producer Sirrin; and Candara, dam of group 2 winner Candarliya and unbeaten stayer Candelari, who has recently foaled a Vadeni colt. Among notable mares visiting outside stallions are Oaks (G1) winner Ezeliya, who will visit Justify, and her dam Eziyra, who will go back to Dubawi. Rondonia, the dam of Rouhiya who is currently in foal to Sea The Stars, will go to Frankel along with triple group 1 winner Tarnawa. Siyouni's four-time group 1 heroine Tahiyra will go to Wootton Bassett, while her dam Tarana will visit Too Darn Hot after producing her Siyouni foal