Vadashan carries classic hopes for Aga Khan & Arrowfield venture

Thoroughbred horse breeding is a business of extreme time-frames.

Lives can be changed in the 70 seconds or so it takes to run the Golden Slipper, while a breeding strategy can take many years to bear fruit.

Pictured: Vadashan pictured with his dam Vadsalina at Arrowfield in the spring of 2009. Sadly, Vadsalina died last spring, but Arrowfield will offer her Starcraft colt at the 2013 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. (PHOTO: Katrina Partridge)

Arrowfield’s joint venture with His Highness the Aga Khan falls into the latter category, but ultimate success may come in a few minutes this autumn, if a dark brown colt in the Paul Messara stable fulfils the potential shown in his debut performance at Kembla Grange on 19 January.

His name is Vadashan and he’s by Redoute’s Choice from the French stakeswinner Vadsalina, a half-sister to Vadawina (Longchamp Prix Saint-Alary G1), from the family of Group 1 winners Valixir and Val Royal.

Vadsalina was one of six Aga Khan mares that arrived at Arrowfield in 2008. Other members of that initial group include Daralara (by Barathea), whose stylish Redoute’s Choice colt made $575,000 at the recent Magic Millions Sale, and Tazkara (by Sinndar), dam of city winner Rowie (by Flying Spur).

Messara has a high opinion of Vadashan who is raced by Arrowfield in partnership with Saeed Naser Al Romaithi and Renata Coleman.

The dark brown colt has been given ample time to mature, with two trials as a late 2YO, and a trial win in early January. The manner of his race win, in particular his stride-lengthening acceleration in the straight, hinted that the classic ambition Paul Messara holds for him can indeed be fulfilled.

The colt also offers a tantalising preview of what may result from Redoute’s Choice’s sojourn at the Aga Khan’s Haras de Bonneval in France, where he will serve a book of quality international mares, including 15 members of the Aga Khan’s own superlative broodmare band.

Vadashan may be joined in his classic quest by stablemate Perfect Tempo, a Redoute’s Choice filly from VRC Oaks & 1000 Guineas winner Special Harmony. She made her debut at Kembla Grange four days after Vadashan and put up a staunch performance to finish a close second. Again, it was the way she stretched out under pressure which caught the eye.

A pair of Redoute’s Choice colts will be offered at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale, including Bellerive Stud’s colt from the Zabeel mare Quibble – view the draft here .