Aga Khan in Australian venture

Prominent Australian nursery Arrowfield Stud, which stands popular sire Redoute's Choice, has launched a venture with the Aga Khan to breed and sell yearlings at Australian auctions.

Under the program, the Aga Khan has sent six mares to Australia, where they will be bred to Arrowfield stallions. Arrowfield, which is owned by John Messara, and the Aga Khan will point the resulting foals for Australia's select yearling auctions.

Among the mares participating in the program's first year for the 2008 breeding season are Zarakiysha, an unraced half-sister to 2007 European champion juvenile filly Zarkava, and Vadsalina, a stakes winner at 2 and a half-sister to French Group 1 winner Vadawina and Group 3 winner Vadapolina.

Zarakiysha is a 4-year-old daughter of Kendor. Vadsalina is a 3-year-old Sagacity filly. Both were bred by the Aga Khan in Ireland.

The Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, owns four stud farms in Ireland and three in France.