Darius Racing's Group 3 winner Isfahani (Ger) (Isfahan {Ger}–Identity {Ger}, by Manduro {Ger}), who was runner-up in the 2021 G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks), died suddenly on Thursday. An autopsy is pending.
Dr. Stefan Oschmann's Racing Manager Holger Faust said in a statement, “Unfortunately we have to announce that Isfahani passed away suddenly and surprisingly today. We requested an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. It's very sad, she was Dr. Oschmann's favorite horse.”
Bred by Gestut Karlshof, the chestnut filly was purchased by Faust for €36,000 out of the 2019 BBAG Yearling Sale. Sent to trainer Henk Grewe, she ran second-promoted to first-in the G3 Premio Guido Berardelli in Rome last November. Fourth in the G2 Derby Italiano there on May 23, the daughter of Identity ran fifth in Hamburg's G3 Mehl-Mulhens-Trophy on July 4 prior to her German Oaks second. Her final start was a third in the G2 T. von Zastrow Stutenpreis at Baden-Baden on Sept. 4.
“In the Italian Derby she lost an iron and ran hard, coming out of the race with an injury,” Faust added. “Trainer [Henk] Grewe said we will experience the real Isfahani in the Gran Preis Europa [on Sept. 26], that is not granted to her or us now, but we are grateful to have seen her in the Darius Racing colors on the racetrack.”
The third foal of her winning dam, Isfahani is from the same family as top-class gallopers Irian (Ger) (Tertullian), who won the G2 German 2000 Guineas and was placed at the highest level in Hong Kong, France and Singapore, and Group 3 winner and G1 Preis von Europa runner-up Ibicenco (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}).
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