Halford trains first winner for Princess Zahra

Royal Ascot winning trainer Michael Halford continued his excellent week with a first winner for the Aga Khan’s daughter Princess Zahra Aga Khan when her Darkyila landed the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden at Limerick today.

Ridden by Conor Hoban, the daughter of Medicean was produced with her challenge on the outer in the straight and while she appeared to have plenty to do a furlong out, stayed on strongly to lead close home for a half length win over Remarkable Lady

Afterwards Halford, whose Portage gave the Group 1 winning trainer a first Royal Ascot winner in Wednesday’s Royal Hunt Cup, later stated “that’s my first winner for Princess Zahra

“I thought she showed enough at Gowran when she was very green and came on nicely and benefited from the step up in trip and handled the ground well.

“I’m delighted to give Conor a winner as Shane (Foley, stable jockey) is in Ascot - Conor plays a great role in the place.

“She’s the first winner we’ve had for Princess Zahra and it’s great to get a winner in those colours.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan, whose colours have been carried to success previously with top French raceme Darjina, was registering her third Irish success having had two winners for John Oxx in 1997 and 2008.

By Tom Weekes