View source for Daylami

{{Short description|Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse}}
{{For|the people of Daylam|Daylamites|Al-Daylami (disambiguation){{!}}Al-Daylami}}

{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox racehorse
| horsename = Daylami
| image =
| caption =
| sire = [[Doyoun]]
| grandsire = [[Mill Reef]]
| dam = Daltawa
| damsire =  [[Miswaki]]
| sex = [[Stallion]]
| foaled = {{birth date|1994|04|20|df=y}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2023|04|05|1994|04|20|df=y}}
| country = Ireland
| colour = [[Grey (horse)|Grey]]
| breeder = [[Aga Khan IV]]
| owner = [[Aga Khan IV]]<br />[[Godolphin Stables]] (1998–)
| trainer = [[Alain de Royer-Dupré]]<br />[[Saeed bin Suroor]] (1998–)
| record = 19: 11–3–4
| earnings =  $4,614,762
| race =  [[Prix Herod]] (1996)<br />[[Prix de Fontainebleau]] (1997)<br />[[Poule d'Essai des Poulains]] (1997)<br />[[Tattersalls Gold Cup]] (1998)<br />[[Eclipse Stakes]] (1998)<br />[[Man o' War Stakes]] (1998)<br />[[Coronation Cup]] (1999)<br />[[King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes|K. George VI & Q. Elizabeth Stakes]] (1999)<br />[[Irish Champion Stakes]] (1999)<br />[[Breeders' Cup Turf]] (1999)
| awards =  [[Eclipse Award for Outstanding Male Turf Horse|U.S. Champion Male Turf Horse]] (1999)<br />[[Cartier Horse of the Year|European Horse of the Year]] (1999)<br />[[Cartier Champion Older Horse|European Champion Older Horse]] (1999)<br />[[Timeform|Timeform rating: 138]]
| honours =
| updated= 7 September 2007
}}

'''Daylami''' (20 April 1994 – 5 April 2023) was a [[Thoroughbred]] [[Cartier Racing Award|Champion]] [[racehorse]] and [[sire (horse)|sire]] who was bred in Ireland, but trained in France, [[Dubai]] and the United Kingdom. In a career which lasted from 1996 until 1999, he raced in five different countries and won seven [[Conditions races|Group 1]]/[[Graded stakes race|Grade I]] races. His 1999 performances earned him the United States' [[Eclipse Award for Outstanding Male Turf Horse]] and the [[Cartier Racing Award]] for [[Cartier Horse of the Year|European Horse of the Year]].

==Background==
Daylami, a "powerful"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timeform.com/godolphin/gd_horse.asp?code=00072945 |title=Horse – Godolphin |publisher=Timeform|access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> grey horse, standing 17 [[Hand (unit)|hands]] high, was bred in Ireland by his original owner, the [[Aga Khan IV|Aga Khan]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/109112/daylami |work=Racing Post|title=Daylami pedigree |access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> who also bred both of his parents.

Daylami's sire, [[Doyoun]], won the [[2,000 Guineas]] and finished third in the [[Epsom Derby|Derby]], before a stud career in which he produced the winners of over two hundred races. His most notable offspring, apart from Daylami, was the [[Breeders' Cup Turf]] winner [[Kalanisi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/10240/doyoun |title=Doyoun Stud Record |work=Racing Post|access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref>

Daltawa, from whom Daylami inherited his [[Grey (horse)|grey]] coat, was also the [[dam (horse)|dam]] of the [[Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe]] winner [[Dalakhani]]. She was a member of one of the families established by [[Marcel Boussac]] and eventually acquired by the Aga Khan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pedigreepost.net/archives/BoussacAnnePeters.html |title=Inbreeding |publisher=Pedigreepost.net |date=14 January 2002 |access-date=15 September 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127230115/http://www.pedigreepost.net/archives/BoussacAnnePeters.html |archive-date=27 November 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Anne Peters Thoroughbred Heritage |url=http://www.tbheritage.com/Breeders/FR/Boussac/Boussac2.html |title=Marcel Boussac 2: Golden Years |publisher=Tbheritage.com |date=21 March 1980 |access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref>

He was first sent into training with [[Alain de Royer-Dupré]] at [[Chantilly Racecourse|Chantilly]]. At the end of his three-year-old season he was bought by [[Godolphin Racing|Godolphin]] and transferred to the stable of [[Saeed bin Suroor]]. His two most frequent jockeys were [[Gerald Mosse]], and, after the move to Godolphin, [[Frankie Dettori]].

Like many grey horses, Daylami changed in appearance as he aged. In his earliest races he had a dark, iron-grey appearance<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.agakhanstuds.com/history/photos/z-daylami.jpg |title=Daylami images |publisher=Aga Khan Studs |access-date=2012-07-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402020013/http://www.agakhanstuds.com/history/photos/z-daylami.jpg |archive-date=2 April 2012 }}</ref> but looked almost white by the time of his retirement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.agakhanstuds.com/news/news_display.asp?newsid=555 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402015938/http://www.agakhanstuds.com/news/news_display.asp?newsid=555 |archive-date=2012-04-02 |url-status=deviated |title=Aga Khan Breds Perform Well at Cheltenham Festival |website=Aga Khan Studs |date=23 March 2010 |access-date=2012-07-03}}</ref>

==Racing career==

===1996: Two-year-old season===
Daylami did not appear on the racecourse until the September of his two-year-old season, when he won a minor stakes race at [[Longchamp Racecourse|Longchamp]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/211/longchamp/1996-09-19/239102 |work=Racing Post|title=Prix de la Cascade |access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> Three weeks later, he was moved up in class and won the [[Conditions races|Listed]] Prix Herod at [[Every Racecourse|Évry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/208/evry/1996-10-07/231466 |title=Prix Herod|work=Racing Post|access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> On his final start of the year he was moved up to the highest class to contest the Group One [[Critérium de Saint-Cloud]]. Starting favourite as part of a two-horse Aga Khan entry, Daylami was sent into the lead in the straight, but was caught in the closing stages and beaten three quarters of a length by Shaka.

[[File:Racing silks of Aga Khan.svg|thumb|left|200px|The Aga Khan's colours, carried by Daylami in 1996 and 1997]]

===1997: Three-year-old season===
As a three-year-old, Daylami was campaigned exclusively over one mile. He began by winning his first Group race, beating [[Loup Sauvage]] by two lengths in the [[Prix de Fontainebleau]] at Longchamp in April.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/211/longchamp/1997-04-20/238020 |work=Racing Post|title=Prix de Fontainebleau|access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> Three weeks later, he beat the same horse, by the same margin, over the same course and distance to win the Group One [[Poule d'Essai des Poulains]] on soft ground,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/211/longchamp/1997-05-11/239100 |work=Racing Post|title=Poule d'Essai des Poulains |access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> with Godolphin's Bahamian Bounty, winner of the [[Prix Morny]] and [[Middle Park Stakes]], finishing last of the six runners. Although he had been entered in the [[Epsom Derby|Derby]], Daylami's connections made it clear that the colt would be kept to shorter distances.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-commentary-aga-unlikely-to-tackle-derby-with-daylami-1261050.html |title=Aga unlikely to tackle Derby with Daylami – Sport |work=The Independent |date=12 May 1997 |access-date=15 September 2011 |location=London |first=Richard |last=Edmondson}}</ref>

The colt was then sent abroad for the first time to contest the Group One [[St James's Palace Stakes]] at [[Royal Ascot]]. Daylami's striking appearance impressed observers<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-sheikh-has-the-palace-credit-1256632.html |title=Sheikh has the Palace credit|work=The Independent |date=18 June 1997 |access-date=15 September 2011 |location=London |first=Richard |last=Edmondson}}</ref> and he was well fancied at 7/2, but in the race he seemed to be outpaced in the closing stages and finished a well-beaten third to [[Starborough]]. For his two remaining starts, Daylami returned to France, and continued to be tried over one mile. In both of these races, he proved the best of the three-year-old runners. He reversed the Ascot form with Starborough in the Prix Jacques Le Marois, but was beaten decisively by the four-year-old [[Spinning World]]. On his final start of the year, he finished third in a strong renewal of the [[Prix du Moulin de Longchamp]] behind Spinning World and [[Helissio]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/211/longchamp/1997-09-07/243391 |work=Racing Post|title=Prix du Moulin de Longchamp|access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Racing silks of Godolphin.svg|thumb|200px|The Godolphin colours, carried by Daylami in 1998 and 1999]]

===1998: Four-year-old season===
Daylami's move to [[Godolphin Racing|Godolphin]] in the winter of 1997/8 brought more than a change of location, as his new connections changed the focus of the horse's campaign to middle-distance events. (In Europe the term "middle distance" covers races that would be considered "long distance" in North America.) He began promisingly, carrying topweight of 9–4 (130&nbsp;lbs) to victory at [[Curragh Racecourse|the Curragh]] in the [[Tattersalls Gold Cup]] (then a Group Two race).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/178/curragh/1998-05-24/252645|work=Racing Post|title=Tattersalls Gold Cup|date=24 May 1998|access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref>

He was a beaten favourite on his next run at Royal Ascot, when he finished third to his stable companion Faithful Son in the Group Two [[Prince of Wales's Stakes]], but there were excuses for his defeat, as Dettori had been unable to find space for a clear run at a crucial stage<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/1998-06-16/250761|work=Racing Post|title=Prince of Wales's Stakes|date=16 June 1998|access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> in a race that was described as "one big bump".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-arabs-annex-small-piece-of-berkshire-1165597.html|title=Arabs annex small piece of Berkshire|newspaper=The Independent|date=17 June 1998|access-date=15 September 2011|location=London}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In addition, Daylami, as a Group One winner, had to carry five pounds more than the winner.

He reversed the form with Faithful Son at level weights to record his most valuable win so far in the [[Eclipse Stakes]] at Sandown two and a half weeks later. The form of the race was not particularly strong however, with Daylami being the only runner to have previously won a Group One event in Britain, France or Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/54/sandown/1998-07-04/250768|work=Racing Post|title=Eclipse Stakes |date=4 July 1998|access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> Most of the attention was drawn by the fact that Saeed bin Suroor was responsible for training Daylami, Faithful Son and Central Park, giving the Godolphin team first, second and third places in a Group One race.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/GODOLPHIN+ACHIEVES+A+TOTAL+ECLIPSE.-a060720904 |title=Godolphin Achieves A Total Eclipse|work=The Racing Post|date=6 July 1998|access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> For his next start, he was moved up to the mile and a half distance for the first time in the [[King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes]] in which he was ridden by [[Mick Kinane]], Dettori having opted to ride [[Swain (horse)|Swain]]. Daylami started at 6/1 and ran up to expectations finishing fourth of the eight runners behind Swain, [[High-Rise (horse)|High-Rise]] and [[Royal Anthem (horse)|Royal Anthem]].

In September 1998, Daylami was sent to the US for the [[Man o' War Stakes]] at [[Belmont Park]]. He raced close behind the leaders for most of the way, before being switched to the outside in the straight. He produced a strong late run to catch [[Buck's Boy]] in the closing stages and win by one and a quarter lengths.<ref name=rich13sep>{{cite news|last=Strom|first=Rich|title=Daylami Wins Man O'war Stakes|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/09/13/daylami-wins-man-owar-stakes/|access-date=23 June 2013|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=13 September 1998}}</ref> On his final European start of the year, Daylami was brought back to a mile and a quarter and was slightly disappointing, finishing third to the filly Alborada as the 6/5 favourite for the [[Champion Stakes]].

The horse was again sent to the US in November 1998 to contest the [[Breeders' Cup Turf]] at [[Churchill Downs]] but was withdrawn after becoming unwell on the morning of the race.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/46156421.html?dids=46156421:46156421&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+07%2C+1999&author=Ed+Gray&pub=Boston+Herald&desc=BREEDERS%27+CUP%3B+NOTEBOOK%3B+Frankie%27s+back&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131154942/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/46156421.html?dids=46156421:46156421&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+07,+1999&author=Ed+Gray&pub=Boston+Herald&desc=BREEDERS'+CUP;+NOTEBOOK;+Frankie's+back&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 January 2013|title=Breeders' Cup; Notebook|publisher=Pqasb|date=7 November 1999|access-date=15 September 2011|first=Ed|last=Gray}}</ref> The race was won by Buck's Boy.

===1999: Five-year-old season===

====Spring====
It is often assumed that thoroughbred racehorses reach their peak at the age of four<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishhorseracing.com/inside_horseracing/racingindustry/life/racingcareer.asp |title=Life of a racehorse: Racing career |publisher=Britishhorseracing.com |access-date=15 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331223517/http://www.britishhorseracing.com/inside_horseracing/racingindustry/life/racingcareer.asp |archive-date=31 March 2012 }}</ref> a belief supported by the weight-for-age scale, which does not allow for any further improvement beyond that age.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishhorseracing.com/resources/media/WFA_Flat.pdf |title=WFA |publisher=britishhorseracing.com |access-date=2012-07-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331223527/http://www.britishhorseracing.com/resources/media/WFA_Flat.pdf |archive-date=31 March 2012 }}</ref> Daylami however, was still improving (see official ratings [[Daylami#Assessment|below]]) and in 1999 he had his best season in terms of wins and prize money.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/109112/daylami |work=Racing Post|title=Daylami race record |access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> This vindicated the decision of his owners to keep him in training after they had decided that the horse had "more to give and... more to prove."<ref name="independent1">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-daylami-team-cashing-in-1108821.html |title=Daylami team cashing in |work=The Independent |date=26 July 1999 |access-date=15 September 2011 |location=London}}</ref> It was also seen as part of a growing trend to keep top class flat racers in training for longer than had been the fashion in the 1970s and 1980s.<ref name="thefreelibrary1">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Daylami+rerouted+to+Ascot.-a060179826 |title=Daylami rerouted to Ascot |via=The Free Library |access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref>

His season did not start particularly well. In the Dubai World Cup he was badly hampered,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/483/nad-al-sheba/1999-03-28/264754 |title= Dubai World Cup|work=Racing Post|access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> and although staying on strongly, he could finish only fifth to [[Almutawakel]]. He was then made favourite for the Tattersalls Gold Cup, which had been promoted to Group One level, but after taking the lead in the straight, he was overtaken in the closing stages and beaten two and a half lengths by the Japanese-bred filly [[Shiva (horse)|Shiva]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/178/curragh/1999-05-23/267941 |work=Racing Post|title=Tattersalls Gold Cup |access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref>

====Summer====
It was from this point on that, Daylami (ridden in all his remaining races by Dettori) showed his best form. At [[Epsom Downs Racecourse|Epsom]] he was third choice in the betting for the [[Coronation Cup]] behind Royal Anthem and the 1998 [[Cartier Horse of the Year|European Horse of the Year]] [[Dream Well (horse)|Dream Well]], but produced a sustained run in the last quarter-mile to beat those rivals by three quarters of a length and half a length. This was Daylami's first win over a mile and a half, but the lack of early pace<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-cecil-hits-six-as-oaks-falls-to-ramruma-1098273.html |title=Cecil hits six |work=The Independent |date=5 June 1999 |access-date=15 September 2011 |location=London |first=Greg |last=Wood}}</ref> and slow time of 2:40.26 meant that the race did not conclusively prove his stamina.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/17/epsom/1999-06-04/264453 |work=Racing Post|title=Coronation Cup |access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> He had been expected to run in the Eclipse Stakes<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-daylami-seeks-total-eclipse-1103224.html |title=Daylami seeks total Eclipse |work=The Independent |date=29 June 1999 |access-date=15 September 2011 |location=London |first=Ian |last=Davies}}</ref> but was withdrawn from the race when his trainer decided that Daylami "needed more time".<ref name="thefreelibrary1"/> He continued to attract attention however, when beating the Group One winner Central Park by eight lengths in a "sparkling" exercise trial.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Daylami+in+sparkling+form+at+HQ%3B+7-2+King+George+favourite+delights...-a060185034 |title=Daylami in sparkling form |via=The Free Library |access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref>

In July, he was an easy and "impressive" winner of the [[King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes]], taking the lead over a furlong out and pulling away to win by five lengths.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/1999-07-24/268081 |work=Racing Post|title=King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes|access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> Although Daylami's connections were pleased, with Dettori talking enthusiastically about the "ultimate champion", some observers, including the ''[[The Independent|Independent's]]'' correspondent, were less convinced, pointing out that the field for the King George had been well below its usual standard.<ref name="independent1"/>

====Autumn====
Daylami ran next in the [[Irish Champion Stakes]] at [[Leopardstown Racecourse|Leopardstown]] in which he produced what was probably his best performance. Despite his win at Ascot, Daylami started only second favourite behind Royal Anthem, who had recently won the Group One [[International Stakes]] at [[York Racecourse|York]] by eight lengths.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/107/york/1999-08-17/268681 |work=Racing Post|title=International Stakes|access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> The two horses so dominated the build-up to the race that one prominent bookmaker announced that they would treat the race as a match for betting purposes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-anthem-odds-on-to-overcome-daylami-1116039.html |title=Anthem odds on to overcome Daylami |work=The Independent |date=4 September 1999 |access-date=15 September 2011 |location=London}}</ref> After tracking the leaders in the early stages, Daylami moved through "easily" on the inside to take the lead in the straight and drew right away to win by nine lengths from the filly Dazzling Park, with Dream Well third and Royal Anthem fifth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/187/leopardstown/1999-09-11/272287 |title=Irish Champion Stakes|work=[[Racing Post]]|access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> His performance was given a figure of 136 by the official handicapper, the third highest recorded in Europe in the 1990s, behind only [[Generous (horse)|Generous]] and [[Peintre Celebre]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-astonished-is-riderless-favourite-for-gold-cup-1119086.html |title= Official Handicapper's verdict on Daylami |work=The Independent |date=14 September 1999 |access-date=15 September 2011 |location=London}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Daylami was sent to Paris for the [[Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe]] in October, although his connections made it clear that the heavy ground would not suit their horse and even considered withdrawing him.<ref>{{cite news|author=Live Blog |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/daylami-arc-bid-in-balance-392383.html |title=Daylami Arc bid in balance  |work=Irish Independent |date= 2 October 1999|access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> He made no impression in the race and was eased down by Dettori in the straight, eventually finishing ninth behind [[Montjeu]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/211/longchamp/1999-10-03/273021 |work=Racing Post|title=Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe|access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref>

In his final race, Daylami was sent to Florida for the [[Breeders' Cup Turf]] at [[Gulfstream Park]]. The venue, with its warm climate and tight, seven-furlong turf circuit was believed to be particularly challenging for European horses,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-gulfstream-may-sweep-away-all-except-daylami-1123825.html |title= Gulfstream may sweep away all |work=The Independent |date=6 November 1999 |access-date=15 September 2011 |location=London}}</ref> with none of them having won when the Breeders' Cup was run there in 1989 and 1992. Dettori's ability on American tracks had also been questioned after he had ridden a "bizarre" race on Swain in the previous year's [[Breeders' Cup Classic|Classic]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Finley |first=Bill |url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/1998-11-19/sports/18089620_1_swain-silver-charm-pratt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701170515/http://articles.nydailynews.com/1998-11-19/sports/18089620_1_swain-silver-charm-pratt |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 July 2012 |title=Jock Is Own Worst Enemy  |work=New York Daily News |date=19 November 1998 |access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> Buck's Boy led early, and exerted pressure from the front, running 1:10.60 for the first six furlongs. Daylami was always running prominently, and was moved up to third behind Buck's Boy and Royal Anthem entering the straight. He produced a powerful late run to take the lead inside the final furlong and stayed on strongly to win by two and a half lengths from Royal Anthem with Buck's Boy third.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/272/gulfstream-park/1999-11-06/274264 |work=Racing Post|title=Breeders' Cup Turf|date=1999-11-06 |access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> As he returned on Daylami after the race Dettori shouted "What about Swain now!" in reference to the criticism he had received.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-daylami-breaks-the-circuit-of-defeat-to-pay-dettoris-dues-1124379.html |title=Daylami breaks the circuit of defeat  |work=The Independent |date=8 November 1999 |access-date=15 September 2011 |location=London}}</ref>

Daylami was then retired to stud.

==Assessment==
In the International Classification (the forerunner of the [[World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings]]), for 1998 Daylami was rated on 123, eight pounds behind the top-weighted [[Skip Away]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/International+classifications%3A+Regulars+underpin+a+strong+division.-a061507804 |title=International classifications: 1998 |via=The Free Library |date=13 January 1999 |access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> In the Classification for 1999 Daylami was rated the best horse in the world, equal with Montjeu on a rating of 135.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2000/january/18/montjeu-daylami-top-international-classification.aspx |title=Montjeu, Daylami top International Classification |work=Thoroughbred Times |date=18 January 2000 |access-date=15 September 2011 |archive-date=28 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928201341/http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2000/january/18/montjeu-daylami-top-international-classification.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In January 2000, Daylami was awarded the titles of Horse of the Year and Top Older Horse at the [[Cartier Racing Awards]]. In the same month he was named [[American Champion Male Turf Horse]] at the [[Eclipse Awards]] and finished runner up to [[Charismatic (horse)|Charismatic]] in the vote for [[American Horse of the Year]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/US+Horse-Of-The-Year+awards%3A+Daylami+pipped+by+Charismatic%3B+Dual...-a060963838 |title=Daylami pipped by Charismatic|via=The Free Library |access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> despite having run only once in the United States in the qualifying period.

Daylami earned his owners a $1,000,000 prize as the winner of the inaugural World Series Racing Championship, a competition in which points were awarded for performances in nine major international middle-distance races.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/2767355.stm |title=World Series Racing Championship |publisher=BBC News |date=24 April 2003 |access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-launches-world-series-1083136.html |title=Racing launches world series |work=The Independent |date= 26 March 1999|access-date=15 September 2011 |location=London |first=Richard |last=Edmondson}}</ref>

Daylami was given a [[Timeform]] rating of 138, making him the equal of [[Nijinsky II|Nijinsky]] and [[Cigar (horse)|Cigar]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chef-de-race.com/articles/timeform_highweights.htm |title=Timeform highweights |publisher=Chef-de-race.com |access-date=12 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522080411/http://www.chef-de-race.com/articles/timeform_highweights.htm |archive-date=22 May 2012 }}</ref>
[[File:Zaynar.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Zaynar, by Daylami, winner of the 2009 Triumph Hurdle]]

==Stud career==
Through a joint ownership between his breeder, the [[Aga Khan IV]], and [[Darley Stud]], he stood as a [[sire (horse)|sire]] at the Aga Khan's [[Gilltown Stud]] near [[Kilcullen]], [[County Kildare]], Ireland until 2006 when he was sent to his [[Haras de Bonneval]] stud at [[Le Mesnil-Mauger]] in France.

At the end of November 2006, Daylami was sold to Riethuiskraal Stud of [[South Africa]] owned by Altus Joubert, Chairman of the South Africa Thoroughbred Breeders' Association.

In 2010 Daylami returned to Ireland to join Coolagown Stud, near [[Fermoy]], [[County Cork]], Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drf.com/news/etc-119 |title=Daylami returns to Ireland|work=Daily Racing Form|access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref>

Daylami sired the winners of more than four hundred races. The best of his progeny was [[Grey Swallow]], winner of the 2004 [[Irish Derby]] and 2005 [[Tattersalls Gold Cup]]. His other notable offspring included Voila Ici ([[Premio Roma]], [[Gran Premio di Milano]]), Indian Days (Bosphorus Cup x2) and the [[National Hunt|hurdler]] Zaynar ([[Triumph Hurdle]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/109112/daylami |title=Daylami Stud Record |work=Racing Post|access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> He was pensioned in 2014 and was euthanized on 5 April 2023 due to infirmities of old age.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lees |first=Jon |date=2023-04-06 |title=Frankie Dettori pays tribute to fan favourite Daylami after legendary horse dies |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/frankie-dettori-daylami-godolphin-dead-29644794 |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=mirror |language=en}}</ref>

==Pedigree==

{{Pedigree
|name = Daylami (IRE) grey stallion 1994<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.agakhanstuds.com/history/hors.asp?hcode=199400045&lang=FR |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211210400/http://www.agakhanstuds.com/history/hors.asp?hcode=199400045&lang=FR |archive-date=2010-12-11 |title=Daylami |website=Aga Khan Studs |access-date=15 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=2488210&registry=T&horse_name=$Daylami%20(IRE)&dam_name==Daltawa%20(IRE)&foaling_year=1994&nicking_stats_indicator=Y |title=Daylami pedigree |website=Equineline|date=8 May 2012 |access-date=2012-07-03}}</ref>
|f = [[Doyoun]]
|m = Daltawa
|ff = [[Mill Reef]]
|fm = Dumka
|mf = [[Miswaki]]
|mm = Damana
|fff = [[Never Bend]]
|ffm = Milan Mill
|fmf = [[Kashmir (horse)|Kashmir]]
|fmm = Faizebad
|mff = [[Mr. Prospector]]
|mfm = Hopespringseternal
|mmf = [[Crystal Palace (horse)|Crystal Palace]]
|mmm = Denia
|ffff = [[Nasrullah (horse)|Nasrullah]]
|fffm = [[Lalun]]
|ffmf = [[Princequillo]]
|ffmm = Virginia Water
|fmff = Tudor Melody
|fmfm = Queen of Speed
|fmmf = Prince Taj
|fmmm = Floralie
|mfff = [[Raise a Native]]
|mffm = Gold Digger
|mfmf = [[Buckpasser]]
|mfmm = Rose Bower
|mmff = [[Caro (horse)|Caro]]
|mmfm = Hermieres
|mmmf = [[Crepello]]
|mmmm = Rose Ness (family: 9-e)
|}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.jockeycolours.com/horses/Daylami.html?origin=wikipedia Career 1-2-3 Colour Chart] – ''Daylami''

{{King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Winners}}
{{Cartier Horse of the Year}}
{{Cartier Champion Older Horse}}

[[Category:1994 racehorse births]]
[[Category:2023 racehorse deaths]]
[[Category:Racehorses bred in Ireland]]
[[Category:Racehorses trained in France]]
[[Category:Racehorses trained in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Breeders' Cup Turf winners]]
[[Category:Eclipse Award winners]]
[[Category:Cartier Award winners]]
[[Category:European Thoroughbred Horse of the Year]]
[[Category:Thoroughbred family 9-e]]
[[Category:King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winners]]