Horse Profile: Shahryar

Breeders' Cup Turf Scouting Report

(Editor's note: Originally published in the 2024 BRISnet Breeders' Cup International Report)  

A terrific third at 25-1 in last year’s Turf despite a last-prep hiccup, Shahryar returns off a smoother build-up to try again. The son of Deep Impact and 2010 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint champion Dubai Majesty commands respect, having competed with distinction at the highest level for four seasons. He’s been well managed by Hideaki Fujiwara, who has also trained such multiple Group 1 winners as Eishin Flash and Straight Girl. 

At three, Shahryar captured the 2021 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (G1) with a furious rally to nip the odds-on Efforia, the eventual Horse of the Year. While Shahryar raced only twice more that season, he proved his mettle versus elders with a third in the Japan Cup (G1). He rallied in tandem briefly with the victorious Contrail, the 2020 Triple Crown star, but couldn’t go on with him late.

Shahryar was next seen landing the 2022 Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), the first of three annual World Cup night appearances. Working out an ideal ground-saving trip right behind the pacesetter, he tipped out and held off deep-closing Yibir, at that time the reigning Breeders’ Cup Turf winner. 

A trip to Royal Ascot for the Prince of Wales’s (G1) didn’t pan out as hoped, with a lack of pace on the cutback to 1 1/4 miles resulting in a fourth-place effort. After a fifth to emerging superstar Equinox in the Tenno Sho Autumn (G1), Shahryar fared much better back up in trip. 

Favored in his second tilt at the Japan Cup, Shahryar appeared to be launching the winning bid on the outside, only to be nailed by Vela Azul. Or to put it more accurately, he was denied by an unbelievable Ryan Moore ride. 

Shahryar had a forgettable 2023 until the Breeders’ Cup. Opening the year again in the Sheema Classic, the defending champion closed mildly for fifth. But in reality, no one had a chance of laying a glove on the course record-setting Equinox. 

Not seen again until the Sapporo Kinen (G2) that summer, Shahryar was expected to turn in a decent enough prep for the Turf. Instead, he faded to 11th in the only bad race of his life. The reason was immediately apparent: an entrapped epiglottis. 

Shahryar underwent a procedure to correct the issue and recovered quickly enough to make the Breeders’ Cup after all. He might not have had the best passage around Santa Anita, compared to Auguste Rodin’s dream rail run and Up to the Mark’s clear shot on the outside. Shahryar had to maneuver in traffic to get through, yet he gained a bit on the top two in a meritorious third.

Shipped to Hong Kong for the Vase (G1), Shahryar was surprisingly ruled out on veterinary advice. Reports indicated the suspicion of arrhythmia. 

Fujiwara then took a detour to the prestigious Arima Kinen (G1) on Christmas Eve, an audible validated once Shahryar continued to work well, and exude health, back home in Japan. Although he checked in a one-paced fifth, he was beaten only two lengths for it all by Do Deuce.

Shahryar’s 2024 itinerary has a very familiar look. Resuming in the March 30 Sheema, he secured better position than a year ago by drafting in third early. But Rebel’s Romance was too strong in the tracking spot just ahead of him. Shahryar ultimately had to settle for second, upstaging compatriot Liberty Island, Emily Upjohn, and Auguste Rodin, among others. 

Once again using the Aug. 18 Sapporo Kinen as his stepping stone to California, Shahryar was outmoved by the sharper Geoglyph (Mile) on the far turn. He didn’t navigate the right-handed turn as adroitly, in a reminder that his best work has come going left-handed. Yet Shahryar worked his way into fifth under very tender handling, in the kind of prep initially envisioned last year. Note that the fourth-placer at Sapporo, last year’s winner Prognosis, just finished second in Australia’s prestigious Cox Plate (G1).

The Turf at Del Mar is precisely the setting to bring out the best in Shahryar. Although he might not win very often, he reliably factors going 1 1/2 miles on a left-handed course.