Valyra (3 May 2009 – 29 August 2012) was a British–bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse owned by HH Aga Khan IV and trained by Jean-Claude Rouget. She won the 2012 Prix de Diane, but died in an accident later in the year.

Valyra
Racing silks of Aga Khan
SireAzamour
GrandsireNight Shift
DamValima
DamsireLinamix
SexFilly
Foaled3 May 2009
CountryGreat Britain
ColourBay
BreederHH Aga Khan IV
OwnerHH Aga Khan IV
TrainerJean-Claude Rouget
Record3: 3-0-0
Earnings£494,917[1]
Major wins
Prix de Diane (2012)

Breeding

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Valyra was the daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Azamour. Her dam, Valima, won the Listed Prix Imprudence and is a daughter of Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Linamix.[1]

Racing career

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Valyra did not race as a two-year-old and made her first racecourse appearance on 14 April 2012 at Bordeaux Le Bouscat Racecourse, when she won by three quarters of a length from Glowing Cloud. She then won a conditions race at Chantilly by three lengths form O'Keefe.[1] Valyra started the Prix de Diane as a 25/1 outsider, with Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Beauty Parlour starting as the 5/6 favourite. Jockey Johnny Murtagh settled Valyra near the rear of the 12-runner field in the early stages of the race. She quickened with 2 furlongs left to run and challenged the leader, Beauty Parlour, with 150 yards remaining. She took the lead with 120 yards left and ran on to win by three quarters of a length from Beauty Parlour, with Rjwa a further three lengths back in third place.[2] On 29 August she sustained a hind leg fracture when cantering on the beach at Deauville and was put down.[3] Her trainer Jean-Claude Rouget said "It is a terrible accident and a great loss for His Highness the Aga Khan and our stable. We have lost a filly with true class. She was a very sound individual and a pleasure to train."[4] At the time she was priced at about 12/1 for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.[5]

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Valyra (GB), bay filly, 2009[6]
Sire
Azamour (IRE)
2001
Night Shift (USA)
1980
Northern Dancer Nearctic
Natalma
Ciboulette Chop Chop
Windy Answer
Asmara (USA)
1993
Lear Fan Roberto
Wac
Anaza Darshaan
Azaarika
Dam
Valima (FR)
2002
Linamix (FR)
1987
Mendez Bellypha
Miss Carina
Lunadix Breton
Lutine
Vadlawysa (IRE)
1995
Always Fair Danzig
Carduel
Vadlava Bikala
Vadsa (Family: 20-d)[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Valyra". Racing Post. 2011-06-02. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  2. ^ "Prix de Diane result". Racing Post. 17 June 2012. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  3. ^ "Arc contender Valyra dies after freak accident on Deauville beach". The Guardian. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  4. ^ "Arc hope Valyra put down after beach accident". Racing Post. 2012-08-29. Archived from the original on 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  5. ^ "Arc fancy Valyra put down". Sky Sports. 2012-08-29. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  6. ^ "Valyra pedigree". Equineline. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
  7. ^ "Thoroughbred Bloodlines – Jennie Winkle – Family 20-d". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2013-05-06.