While The Autumn Sun continues to convalesce at Arrowfield Stud, his siblings have had a momentous week in Europe.
On Sunday, the highly regarded 2-year-old Dubawi colt Azimpour made a winning debut for the Aga Khan at Longchamp, a week after his half-sister, Azada, opened her stakes account in the Listed Garnet Stakes at Naas.
Ridden by Mickael Barzalona for Francis-Henri Graffard, Azimpour went off an even money favourite for the 9-furlong maiden on a heavy track. Last of the seven runners on straightening, the son of Dubawi picked off runner after runner to defeat the Hello Youmzain (FR) colt Batal Youmzain by three-quarters of a length with the Zarak colt Zarakchic a head back in third.
The 3-year-old Siyouni filly Azada had an easier time at Naas.
Ridden by Chris Hayes for Dermot Weld, Azada led home a field of 16 in the Listed Garnet Stakes.
The winner of her only start at two, Azada finished sixth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas on resumption.
"It was important that she won that race," Weld told RTE News.
"She ran a very good race in the Guineas and won well as a two-year-old.
"She handles that ground well. It's on the slow side, but that's what she likes.
"I would like to have given her a prep run before the Irish Guineas, but the way the programme was this year, the Classic trial was only two weeks before the Guineas, and I would like to have three weeks before a Group One.
"She had been working well and I thought she might be hard to beat today.
"Chris gave her a lovely ride, he was in the right place at the right time, and she idled a bit in front so that's why he had to keep her up to it.
"She's a very big filly and there is a possibility that she may be kept in training next year, but that's all for future discussion.
"The way she won there, you would think there is every possibility she could win a Group race next year. That will be it for this year."
Azada, Azimour, and the 5-time Group 1 winner The Autumn Sun are out of the unraced Gailileo mare Azmiyna (IRE).
Also, the dam of the talented Snitzel mare Archanna, and the winners Field Legend (Snitzel) and The Awesome Son (Not A Single Doubt), Azmiyna (IRE), was exported to Japan in 2019 for a date with Deep Impact. Sent back to foal in France, the half-sister to the champion Azimour had a filly foal named Azmaniya, which is unraced.
