Aga Khan Filly Wins Oaks Trial

Tara Madgwick - Thursday June 27

Aga Khan Studs have been having an outstanding year with their homebreds and produced a new stakes-winner overnight when lightly raced Sea the Stars filly Hanalia scored a stylish victory in the Listed Naas Oaks Trial (1m2 ½ f).

Having just her third race start, the Johnny Murtagh trained filly was fourth on debut last month before breaking her maiden at the Curragh and took a big step forward here beating a couple of fillies heading towards the Irish Oaks including the big flashy Justify filly Greenfinch in third place.

 

“She's not big, but has a good turn of foot when she relaxes early and it worked out very well today,” said Johnny Murtagh.

“Ben said he loved the way she hit the line and she was tough as well. He said he wouldn't go a mile-and-a-half just yet, but maybe later.

“A mile-and-a-quarter is good for her at the moment. I entered her this morning in a G3 over a mile-and-one at the Curragh in three weeks' time. I'd definitely bring her back to a mile-and-one rather than going a mile-and-a-half at this stage.”

Hanalia is a half-sister to a pair of Group winners in Hunaina and Hamariyna ans I the third stakes-winner among five winners from Hanakiyya, who comes from the family of Epsom Derby winner Harzand and Irish Derby winner Hurricane Lane.

She is the 125th stakes-winner for Sea the Stars and is his third stakes-winner from a daughter of Danehill Dancer. The nick has produced 17 winners from 20 starters so 85% winner to runner.

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Impressive Debut Win for Churchill 3YO
Just days after Churchill (IRE) sired the second highest priced horse sold at the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale when his colt from Bagitol fetched $775,000, a talented three year-old bought from the same sale last year kicked off his career with a super impressive debut win.
Xtravagant Gelding Nadal Brilliant in Meteorite
Ciaron Maher has a stranglehold on pop-up and slot races and was back in the winner's circle again after the inaugural running of the $1,000,000 The Ladbrokes Meteorite (1200m) at Cranbourne.
Barnstorming Win by Headwall in the Warra
The super-consistent Headwall reaped a just reward in the $300,000 Group III Snap Print Solutions Wollongong The Warra (1000m) at Kembla Grange.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Savabeel Stayer wins G3 Counties Cup
Promising stayer Nereus put his current campaign back on track when he captured an action packed Gr.3 TAB Counties Cup (2100m) on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Friday November 22
Here is the full list of 46 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
Wings Of Song Makes Stunning Return
A star of the carnivals in Tasmania and South Australia, Wings Of Song made a triumphant return from a 30-week break to capture Saturday’s Rosemont Stud Pendant (1400m) at Cranbourne.
Top Sellers at Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale
The Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale had plenty of drama when the dam of Goliath, who runs in the Japan Cup on Sunday, was passed in at €5miliion, but there were other high profile sales including Fastnet Rock's Epsom Oaks winner Qualify.
Another Feature Win for La Crique
La Crique sprouted wings in the Pukekohe straight on Saturday to come from a near-hopeless position and win the Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) in a photo finish.