The Aga Khan Studs’ Elite Matings: A Genetic Masterpiece

The renowned French operation has unveiled the stallions chosen for its top mares, showcasing an avalanche of quality

Sea the Stars, one of the stars of Aga Khan Studs / AGA KHAN STUDS

The Aga Khan Studs has confirmed its 2025 breeding plans, giving strong backing to its roster of five stallions, set to cover a series of high-class mares.

The established Siyouni (Pivotal), leader among French sires, will serve over 20 of his own mares. Newcomers to his book include Hanalia (Sea the Stars), G3 Sumiha (Sea the Stars), and classic winner Ashiyma (Dariyan), while among the more seasoned mares are Azmiyna (Galileo)—dam of G1 multiple winner The Autumn Sun (Redoute's Choice)—, Calayana (Sinndar)—dam of G2 winner and two-time G1 placed Calandagan (Churchill)—and black-type winner Shahnaza (Azamour).

G2 Darkaniya (Frankel) and Zarkala (Frankel), daughter of the legendary Zarkava, will also visit Siyouni after giving birth to their first foals this spring. Other notable mares include G3 Tariyana (Sea the Stars), Dolia (Invincible Spirit), G1 Dolniya, Malicieuse (Galileo)—half-sister to the champion Bago (Nashwan)—and La Fiamma (War Front), a descendant of Six Perfections (Celtic Swing).

From Gilltown Stud, the veteran Sea The Stars (Cape Cross), Europe’s leading sire of 3-year-olds in 2024, will cover an exclusive trio of mares: Rouhiya (Lope de Vega), winner of the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (G1) in 2023; Sicinya, maternal sister to Siyouni; and Baiykara, daughter of Zarak and a Group winner.

Zarak, who was only surpassed by his sire Dubawi in 2024 in terms of G1-winning percentage, will cover 15 mares, including Ereviya (Pivotal), maternal sister to G1 multiple winner Ervedya (Siyouni); Tasalka (Lope de Vega), maternal sister to the dam of star performers Tarnawa (Shamardal) and Tahiyra (Siyouni); Etneya (Siyouni), maternal sister to the dam of Oaks G1 winner Ezeliya (Dubawi); and Sagamiyra (Sea The Moon), a classic winner and G1 placed. Additionally, Ebba (Medaglia D’Oro), half-sister to Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor), hails from the prestigious "E" family, while the "H" family will be represented by Hanakiyya (Danehill Dancer), dam of three Group winners, including Hanalia.

Second-season sires Vadeni (Churchill) and Erevann (Dubawi) will also receive strong support from the Aga Khan Studs.

Among the mares set to visit Vadeni is G1 winner Ridasiyna (Motivator), dam of 3-year-old colt Ridari (Churchill), who will debut at the Prix de Fontainebleau (G3). Other mares for Vadeni include Siyenica (Azamour), maternal sister to Siyouni and dam of G1 Siyarafina (Pivotal); Dalma, daughter of Dubawi and Prix de l’Opéra (G1) winner Dalkala (Giant's Causeway); Rehana (Dark Angel), G3 placed and fourth in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1); and Kineta (Siyouni), from the family of High Chaparral (Sadler's Wells).

Meanwhile, Erevann (G2) will cover champion mare Dolniya (Azamour), winner of the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), along with Vazira (Sea the Stars) (Prix Saint-Alary - G1), Zarshana (Sea the Stars) (half-sister to Zarkava), Ebiyza(Rock of Gibraltar) (classic winner and notable dam), Sirrin (Sea the Stars) (classic winner and producer), and Candara (Barathea)—dam of G2 Candarliya (Dalakhani) and undefeated staying star Candelari (Frankel), who recently foaled a colt by Vadeni.

Among the mares sent to outside sires, G1 Oaks winner Ezeliya (Dubawi) will visit Justify (Scat Daddy), while her dam Eziyra (Teofilo) will return to Dubawi. Rondonia (Raven’s Pass), dam of Rouhiya (Lope de Vega) and currently carrying a foal by Sea The Stars, will be covered by Frankel, as will G1 multiple winner Tarnawa. Tahiyra, the star filly by Siyouni with four G1 wins, has been assigned to Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj), while her dam Tarana (Cape Cross) will visit Too Darn Hot (Dubawi) after foaling a colt by Siyouni.