The Autumn Sun's (Redoute's Choice) dam Azmiyna (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) will return home to the Aga Khan Stud's Gilltown Stud after a mating with Japanese super sire Deep Impact (Jpn) to northern hemisphere time but Arrowfield Stud's partnership with the influential breeders looks stronger than ever.
Azmiyna's six foals bred to southern hemisphere time included The Autumn Sun, a winner of five from six, including three G1s, and is part of the fruitful relationship between Arrowfield and the Aga Khan Studs.
"He’s the perfect example of a combination of strengths between an Australian champion sire and our European bloodlines." - The Aga Khan's stud manager, Georges Rimaud
The Aga Khan's stud manager Georges Rimaud told TDN AusNZ that an exceptional stud prospect like The Autumn Sun was the epitome of what both parties had set out to achieve by joining forces and explained Azmiyna's return.
The Autumn Sun winning the G1 Golden Rose
"He’s the perfect example of a combination of strengths between an Australian champion sire and our European bloodlines, as this is a family carefully nurtured and developed by His Highness the Aga Khan for almost 60 years," he said. "We’re looking forward to being able to revive it in Europe, as we only have a few females left in this family. There is certainly more to come, from The Autumn Sun himself, but also from his younger siblings and other Aga Khan mares based in Australia at Arrowfield."
"Azmiyna has done extremely well in Australia and we’re delighted for all the people involved in The Autumn Sun." - Georges Rimaud
"We’re aiming to regularly renew the pool of mares and offer different and attractive bloodlines to the Australian market, which we hope will prove as successful as The Autumn Sun."
"Azmiyna has done extremely well in Australia and we’re delighted for all the people involved in The Autumn Sun, from Arrowfield and Hermitage Thoroughbreds, to trainer Chris Waller and bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster."
The Autumn Sun as a yearling at the Inglis Easter Sale
The partnership continues
The dual-hemisphere partnership between the two breeding giants will continue, with 11 Aga Khan-owned mares at Arrowfield and more of Azmiyna's progeny on the ground. One of those is Lot 369 from the recently released Australian Easter Yearling Sale, a colt by Not A Single Doubt, making him a three-quarter brother to The Autumn Sun.
Azmiyna also has foal colt which is another three-quarter brother to The Autumn Sun, this one by Snitzel, "that will also be offered for sale in due time," according to a statement from Aga Khan Studs.
Azmiyna with her Not A Single Doubt Colt as a foal, who is to be offered at this year's Easter Yearling Sale
Azmiyna will be joined on the journey home by Vadaiyma (Dansili {GB}) who will visit Heart's Cry (Jpn), also bound for Europe. Vadaiyma was unraced but is a sister to four stakes performers, including 2019 Classic prospect and TDN Rising Star Chablis (Ire)(Galileo {Ire}).
Strategic move
Azmiyna's departure places a premium on her remaining progeny in Australia, but the Aga Khan Studs' are also hopeful the valuable broodmare's offspring in Europe continue to boost The Autumn Sun's value as a sire when he eventually stands at Arrowfield.
"She (Azmiyna) is still young and using Deep Impact is an exciting opportunity," the Aga Khan statement read.
"It will allow developing her family in both hemispheres and we’re looking forward to seeing how she can further enhance The Autumn Sun’s pedigree by breeding and racing some of her offspring in Europe."
Azmiyna is booked to Deep Impact on Northern Hemisphere time
More at the sales and on the ground
Of those 11 Aga Khan-owned mares at Arrowfield, four of them are sisters to G1 winners, including siblings to racetrack stars Ervedya (Fr)(Siyouni {Fr}), Dariyan (Fr)(Shamardal {USA}) and Sarafina (Fr)(Refuse to Bend {Ire}).
"Three of them have a foal by Siyouni (Fr)(Pivotal {GB}) at foot, which will be offered for sale next year. We’re aiming to keep the partnership active and dynamic, to renew the pool of mares and offer different and attractive bloodlines to the Australian market."
"We’re aiming to keep the partnership active and dynamic, to renew the pool of mares and offer different and attractive bloodlines to the Australian market." - Georges Rimaud
As well as the three-quarter brother to The Autumn Sun, Arrowfield's Australian Easter Yearling Sale boasts strong representation from the relationship with Aga Khan Studs. Lot 75 is a filly by Snitzel out of stakes winner Keritiya (Iron Mask {USA}) while Lot 241 is a Redoute's Choice colt out of Sananda (Anabaa {USA}).
