It’s been a big weekend for the Aga Khan Stud’s champion French sire Siyouni, who produced progressive colt Paddington to win the Group I Irish 2000 Guineas on Saturday and then on Sunday his outstanding filly Tahiyra won the Group I Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh.
A homebred for the Aga Khan trained by Dermot Weld, Tahiyra was a Group I winner at her second start at two and finished runner-up To Exceed and Excel filly Mawj in the Newmarket 1000 Guineas at her first appearance this year.
A short priced favourite, she powered clear for Chris Hayes to win by a length and a half and is likely to head to Royal Ascot for the Group I Coronation Sakes where she will face a rematch with Mawj.
“The plan was to hold on to Tahiyra and ride her for speed. My only concern was whether she would let herself down on the quick ground. We'll see how she comes out of this race and obviously we will think about the Coronation Stakes,” said Dermot Weld.
Tahiyra is a half-sister to Champion Mare Tarnawa, a triple Group I winner from stakes-winning Cape Cross mare Tarana.
She is one of nine Group I winners for Siyouni, whose champion son St Mark’s Basilica shuttled to Coolmore Australia last spring and returns again this year at a fee of $44,000.
