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Longchamp double for Aga Khan, Fabre

Owner, trainer capture wins at Prix Saint-Alary, Prix d'Ispahan

Vadawina and Valixir gave the Aga Khan and Andre Fabre a Group 1 double at Longchamp on Sunday with victories in the Prix Saint-Alary and Prix d'Ispahan respectively.

In taking the 1 1/4-mile $251,000 Prix Saint-Alary by four lengths from Argentina, the 4-5 Vadawina was not only extending her unbeaten mark to 3-for-3, she was also throwing down the gauntlet to Divine Proportions, the similarly unbeaten recent winner of the French 1000 Guineas. The pair are expected to clash in the Prix de Diane, or French Oaks, at Chantilly on June 12, although the Niarchos Family may still decide to send 'Proportions' to the one-mile Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot at York on June 14.

The winner last month of the Group 3 Prix Cleopatre, Vadawina, like Valixir, was a part of the Lagardere Family empire bought this winter by the Aga Khan. By Unfuwain, she was ridden over the ten furlongs by Christophe Soumillion in 2:02.80. Perfect Hedge, the previously undefeated winner of the Group 3 Prix Penelope, was third, a length behind Argentina.

Soumillon was also aboard Valixir in the 1 1/8-mile, 55-yard Ispahan, in which the 4-year-old son of Trempolino handed Australian invader and Dubai Duty Free winner Elvstroem a 2-length beating while traveling the distance in 1:50.90 on good ground.

Earlier, France's top stayer Westerner had a successful preparation for the 2 1/2-mile Ascot Gold Cup with an impressive 5-length romp in the 1 15/16-mile Group 2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier. Trained by Elie Lellouche for Ecurie Wildenstein, the Danehill 6-year-old will now go directly to York, site of this year's Royal Ascot meeting, on June 16 for his rematch with Papineau, the Godolphin horse who beat him into second place in last year's Gold Cup.

© 2011 Daily Racing Form

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