Group 1 winner Aqlaam records first winner

French Group 1 winner and freshman sire Aqlaam was represented by his first winner on July 6 when his son Culdaff broke throu gh with a victory at Haydock in his fourth career start.

Culdaff, who is trained by Charlie Hills for John Grant, won at seven furlongs over good to firm turf in 1:31.17. He had finished second twice in three previous starts.

Bred by Forenaghts Stud and Tinnakill Bloodstock, Culdaff is out of the stakes-winning Night Shift mare Nenuphar. She is the dam of seven winners from nine starters, including stakes winner Night Tango, who finished second in the Group 1 Deutsches Derby; and Group 3 winner Night Lagoon. Night Lagoon is the dam of multiple Group 1 winner Novellist.

Aqlaam, an 8-year-old son of Oasis Dream, won four of nine carer starts, earning $777,906. Placed in his only start as a juvenile, he won both of his starts at age 3 in 2008, including the Group 3 Jersey Stakes in England. He enjoyed his best season in 2009, winning the Group 1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp and finishing second in the Group 1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois in France. He also won that season's Group 2 Summer Stakes and finished third in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes in England.

Aqlaam entered stud in 2010 and currently stands at Shadwell's Nunnery Stud in Norfolk, England. He has 45 2-year-olds in his first crop.

Bred in Great Britain by Granham Farm, Aqlaam is out of the unraced Rainbow Quest mare Bourbonella. She is a half-sister to European champion stayer Persian Punch, Group 3 winner Island Magic, and stakes winners Classic Punch and Grand Bahama.