Injury ends French Group I-winners career

Darryl Sherer - Wednesday July 17

Injury has forced the retirement of this season's French Group I-winning filly Siyarafina.

Siyarafina

The Aga Khan-homebred daughter of Pivotal only raced four times, winning the Group I Prix Saint-Alary and started favourite for the Prix de Diana-French Oaks, where she finished sixth on her final racecourse appearance.

Her victory in the Saint-Alary made her the second Group I winner this year for Pivotal following the Ranvet Stakes win of Avilius and the 30th winner overall at the highest level for Pivotal who has just completed his 23rd season at Cheveley Park Stud in England.

Georges Rimaud, manager of the Aga Khan Studs in France, told Jour de Galop that Siyarafina will be a great addition to the broodmare band.

"She arrived at the stud on Monday and she is well, though she has a minor chip which has obliged us to call an end to her racing career," Rimaud said.

"She is a Group 1 winning filly with enormous value as a broodmare.

"She had a phenomenal ability to accelerate and although we didn't have the opportunity to fully explore what her best trip was, we know she was brilliant at 1,600 metres and perhaps 2,000 as well.

"That turn of foot is something you love to see in a horse and makes her a great addition to the stud."

Siyarafina's dam Siyenca (Axamour) won the Listed Prix de Bagatelle at Chantilly and is a half-sister to the Group I Prix Luc Lagardere winner and leading sire Siyouni, also by Pivotal and standing for HH The Aga Khan in France.

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