Zarkava and Tarnawa among Siyouni's regal book as the Aga Khan Studs reveals 2023 mating plans

The Aga Khan Studs has revealed mating plans for its mighty broodmare band, a team that includes the unbeaten Arc heroine Zarkava and triple Group 1 winner Tarnawa, both of whom are set to be covered by Haras de Bonneval resident and leading sire Siyouni. 

The son of Pivotal has long been established as one of Europe's leading stallions, with his top-flight winners including Sottsass, St Mark's Basilica, Laurens and last year's unbeaten Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Tahiyra, and he has duly been given strong home support once again. 

Alongside Zarkava and Tarnawa - Tahiyra's half-sister who visited Frankel for her maiden covering last year - the Aga Khan Studs' Siyouni will also have on his dance card Zarka, a daughter of Dubawi and Zarkava, and the multiple Group-winning and Group 1-placed globetrotter Ebaiyra.

Tarnawa: triple top-level winner visits Siyouni for her second coveringCredit: Scott Serio

Other notable names heading Siyouni's way include Vadsena, a stakes-placed Makfi half-sister to 2022 Prix du Jockey Club and Eclipse winner Vadeni, and Group 2 winners and Group 1 runners-up Candarliya and Valia.

His book is also set to include Group 3 winner Hamariyna, Dariyza - a stakes-winning half-sister to Dariyan - and fellow stakes winners Likala, Shahnaza and Simeen.

Gilltown Stud's Sea The Stars crowned an excellent 2022 as the leading sire in Ireland, with four Group 1 winners to his name including the brilliant Baaeed, while he also polished his burgeoning broodmare sire record through the likes of Grand Prix de Paris winner Onesto and St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov. 

The Aga Khan Studs' 17-year-old will also receive strong home support, with visiting mares set to include Vaderana, the dam of Vadeni, Zaykava, a Listed-winning daughter of Siyouni and Zarkava, and Haparanda, a stakes winner from the family of Sea The Stars' dual Derby hero Harzand.

Also heading his way are Tasalka, a winning half-sister to the dam of Tarnawa and Tahiyra, and the newly retired Ebba, a winning half-sister to Ebaiyra from the family of Ebaziya.

Vadeni: dam of the Prix du Jockey Club and Eclipse winner will have a date with Sea The StarsCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Zarak, the Group 1-winning son of Dubawi and Zarkava who has made an excellent start with his first crops, will receive the likes of Sheema Classic winner Dolniya and her dam Daltama, and Group winners Ebiyza - the dam of Ebaiyra - and Emiyna. 

Likewise going to Zarak are stakes winners Dariyma, Mila and Sayana - a Galileo half-sister to Siyouni - plus Candara, the dam of three stakes winners including Candarliya; 

Baiyka, a half-sister to Zarak’s Group winner Baiykara, and Erdana, a Sea The Stars half-sister to the exciting Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Erevann, are also in Zarak's book.

Completing the Aga Khan stallion roster is Dariyan, a top-level-winning son of Shamardal. 

Mares being sent to him from the operation include Kerasia, by Zoustar out of the stakes winning Oasis Dream mare Kerasona, Minna, by Le Havre out of the winning Sinndar mare Minya, and Vedaska, a daughter of Siyouni out of the stakes-winning Dalakhani mare Vedouma. 

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