By Tom Frary
Following the explosive performance of Erdenali (Caravaggio) at Saint-Cloud on Sunday, the only downside is that the latest sensation to emerge from The Aga Khan Studs is a gelding and therefore unable to contest the Classics.
Sent off the 2-1 favourite for the card's opening Prix Kashmir over a mile, the grandson of the high-class Ervedya (Siyouni) cruised from the back to the front two out under a near-motionless Mickael Barzalona, who had made the voyage back from Dubai where he had steered the operation's gelding supreme Calandagan only hours before.
Running away from his peers without being asked a question, the Francis Graffard-trained homebred hit the line under a hold with ears pricked. There was a 6 1/2-length margin to the outsider Tocoa (Zelzal), with the winner having posted a penultimate split of 11.05 in the process, all on natural ability alone.
“He did it very well–he was in a nice rhythm and relaxed at the back and when I came into the straight it was just a case of letting him go,” Barzalona said. “He did it very easily and he has everything. He has the pedigree and the physique, a beautiful manner and lots of ability. He has to go and confirm it again, but he has the right team behind him for that.”
The winner is the fourth TDN Rising Star, Presented by Hagyard, for his sire with the dual Group 1 winner Tenebrism the best.
Ervedya, who was successful in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, Coronation Stakes and Prix du Moulin, produced Dubawi's dual Group-winning sire Erevann along with this gelding's dam Erdana (Sea The Stars) who was a maiden in two starts for the Rouget stable. Erdenali is her first foal, while she also has a two-year-old son of Dubawi's son Zarak.
Remember the name! 😮💨
ERDENALI – a gelded son of Caravaggio out of Erdana – romps home on the bridle on debut at Saint-Cloud…@GraffardRacing @AgaKhanStuds pic.twitter.com/NmfamyVOAp
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 29, 2026
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