Dalakhani's Shakeel Lunges Late For Grand Prix Glory

Shakeel | Scoop Dyga

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With a legion of His Highness The Aga Khan's projects at his disposal on an annual basis, Alain de Royer-Dupre is always capable of pulling something out of the bag and Shakeel stepped up at the right time on a glorious evening on Bastille Day to register a sixth renewal of this prize for his owner-breeder and a fifth for his trainer. Third on debut here over 10 furlongs in November, the bay was next seen returning over that same track and trip to be third behind TDN Rising Star Plumatic (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Malkoboy (Fr) (Rajsaman {Fr}) over 10 1/2 furlongs Mar. 23. Showing steady progression next time to beat Malkoboy over a mile and a quarter at Chantilly Apr. 20, he was third behind Called To the Bar (Ire) (Henrythenavigator) and Ice Breeze (GB) (Nayef) in the G3 Prix du Lys over this course and distance May 23 but got closer to the latter when a head second in the G2 Prix Hocquart over this trip at Chantilly last time June 18.

Fifth throughout the early stages of this wide-open and competitive edition, the homebred was threaded up the rail in early straight by Christophe Soumillon as the race's animator Permian kicked on under William Buick. Getting to that rival approaching the final furlong, he was able to win their protracted duel with a final thrust of his head as Venice Beach fared best of the Ballydoyle trio. “I knew this horse was good enough to run in this, but I was not sure whether he could win,” de Royer-Dupre said. “It shows he is still improving and although this was a regular pace, he'd be better with it being faster. He stays very well and I think he'll stay further, but we have no plans really. He is in the [G1] Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe [at Chantilly Oct. 1] and that is a possibility, but we'll see what to do later.” Permian's trainer Mark Johnston said, “He's run a very good race and I have no complaints. He is a possibility for the [GI] Secretariat S. [at Arlington Aug. 12].”

Shakeel is the first foal out of the unraced Shamiyra, who is herself a half to the G3 Prix Allez France winner Shemiyla (Fr), also by Dalakhani. The third dam is the G1 Prix de Diane heroine Shemaka, who went on to produce another Allez France scorer and G3 Prix de Lutece winner Shemima (GB) also from a mating with Dalakhani and the Listed Prix Casimir Delamarre scorer Shemaya (Ire) from a mating with Dalakhani's sire Darshaan (GB). Shemaka's descendants include the G1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up Shamkiyr (Fr) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), the G1 El Derby hero Full of Luck (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky) and the G2 Prix Eugene Adam winner Shimraan (Fr) (Rainbow Quest), with this also being the family of the G1 English and Irish Derby hero Shahrastani. Shamiyra also has an as-yet unraced 2-year-old colt by Kendargent (Fr) named Shamdor (GB) and a yearling colt by Oasis Dream (GB).

Friday, Saint-Cloud, France
JUDDMONTE GRAND PRIX DE PARIS-G1, €600,000, SCD, 7-14, 3yo, c/f, 12fT, 2:30.42, gd.
1–#@&SHAKEEL (FR), 128, c, 3, by Dalakhani (Ire)
1st Dam: Shamiyra (Fr), by Medicean (GB)
2nd Dam: Shemala (Ire), by Danehill
3rd Dam: Shemaka (Ire), by Nishapour (Fr)
O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (FR); T-Alain de Royer-Dupre; J-Christophe Soumillon. €342,840. Lifetime Record: 6-2-1-3, €405,790. Werk Nick Rating: First SW from this cross. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Permian (Ire), 128, c, 3, Teofilo (Ire)–Tessa Reef (Ire), by Mark of Esteem (Ire). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum; B-Darley (IRE); T-Mark Johnston. €137,160.
3–Venice Beach (Ire), 128, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Danedrop (Ire), by Danehill. O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Flaxman Stables; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €68,580.
Margins: NO, 1, 1. Odds: 5.70, 3.00, 28.40.
Also Ran: Ice Breeze (GB), Falcon Wings (GB), Parabellum (Ire), Orderofthegarter (Ire), Mac Mahon (Ity), Spanish Steps (Ire). Scratched: Valamaz (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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