First Seaon Sire Focus: Aqlaam

Aqlaam went from being placed on his only start at two years old to become a Group one winner as a four year old when he won the Group one Prix Du Moulin beating the classy Famous Name he followed that up with a second placing behind the mighty mare Goldikova in the Group one Prix Jacques Le Marois which is known as one of the best mile races in Europe. Aqlaam was unbeaten in two starts as a three year old winning the Group three Jersey Stakes at Ascot. at four apart from winning the Group one Prix Du Moulin he was also third and fourth respectively in the Group one Queen Anne Stakes at the Group one Queen Elizabeth II stakes. After a career spanning three seasons with four wins from nine starts to his name Aqlaam was retired to Shadwell Stud in GB.

Aqlaam was a very well bred horse being by Oasis Dream he was out of Bourbonella a daughter of the very successful broodmare sire Rainbow Quest. His dam was unraced but she was a half sister to a high class horse in Persian Punch who became a champion stayer in Europe.

Aqlaam's 2nd dam Rum Cay was a high class broodmare apart from Persian Punch she also produced Island Magic a Group three winner, he won 10 races from the age of 2-7 years old, Classic Punch was another she produced he raced also from 2-7 years and was a multiple Listed winner as well as Group three placed, She also produced another Listed winner in Grand Bahama a Listed winner and Group three performer.

His 3rd dam Oratson was a champion three year old in Italy she had minor success at stud producing multiple Listed winner Gymcrack Premiere, the next dam Orange Cap also produced Listed winners The Abbott and Opera Italiana both were Listed winners in France and Italy.

Aqlaam is a very attractive looking individual his first yearlings in 2012 were athletic individuals his highest priced yearling was E160,000 for a filly at Arqana these were followed by E125,000 for a colt now named Taanif at Tattersalls in Ireland he has been bought to race for Shadwell, other prices include £85,000 X2, £80,000 £75,000 etc. Aqlaam stood his first season at stud for £7,000.
He is set to be represented by just forty six two year olds a surprising number for a young horse that proved himself to be one of the top milers in Europe. Aqlaam should get two year olds through his breeding there is a lot of two year old stakes winners so I can see him getting winners, his first runner today was second on her debut which is extremely encouraging, a fantastic looking individual with a magnificent temperament Aqlaam could surprise a lot of people this year with his juveniles