Prix Ganay winner and sire Dariyan dies aged 12

The Aga Khan's Group 1 winner and sire Dariyan has died at the age of 12.

A statement from the Aga Khan Studs read: "It is with sadness that we announce the loss of Dariyan, who was humanely euthanised following an illness, despite the best efforts of the veterinary team.

"Winner of the Prix Ganay and Prix Eugene Adam, Dariyan had been a model of consistency during his racing career, finishing in the first five in 11 of his 13 starts."

The homebred son of Shamardal and Group 1 Hong Kong Vase winner Daryakana, who was trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre and ridden throughout his career by Christophe Soumillion, did not race at two but had a productive campaign as a three-year-old.

He won his second and third starts at Saint-Cloud, a maiden and a conditions race, and struck for the first time at stakes level in the Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam at Maisons-Laffitte. He ended that season with a bid to emulate his dam in the Hong Kong Vase, finishing third behind Highland Reel and Flintshire. 

After a couple of runs at Meydan, Dariyan notched his Group 1 triumph in the 2016 Prix Ganay at Saint-Cloud, beating Silverwave by a length and a quarter.

At the end of that year he was retired to the Aga Khan's Haras de Bonneval in Normandy.

At stud, he sired Group 3 Prix la Force winner Mister Saint Paul, as well as Group performers Galaxie Gold and Elizar, the former finishing runner-up in the Group 2 Prix Hocquart. 

After seven seasons standing at Bonneval, he was switched to Haras du Mont Goubert for this year's covering season.