The arrival of Riyahi as a stallion in India gave a qualitative boost to breeding in India and significantly raised its profile. The progeny of Riyahi had class written on them and his stock significantly helped the Poonawalla Stud Farm firmly establish their credentials as a top stud farm in India.

Among the very best that Riyahi sired included Adler and Cordon Bleu who blazed the tracks in India. Adler was an unbeaten champion in India and had the distinction of winning a race in America in the colors of beer baron Dr Vijay Mallya. Despite a problem with his hind legs, he left his rivals stranded in breath-taking fashion. After each of his wins, trainer Rashid Byramji would say when asked about the next target: "I am not sure if and when Adler will run till such time he enters the starting gates for the race. And despite all the problems that he has had, he is a champion who ranks among the very best that I have trained."

	Riyahi (IRE) By Red God out of Ravela II By Tenerko)

Adler hurt himself after winning the Gr 1 Indian 2000 Guineas and despite short of work owning to agitation by syces, Adler went on to win the Indian Turf Invitation Cup and then smashed the record in Indian St Leger. Had been perfectly sound, it is hard to imagine what Adler would have achieved. His trainer always maintained Adler went into the races 100 per cent fit. One can well imagine what he could have done to the opposition had he been fully fit!

Cordon Bleu was another sensational horse that he sired. The grey won the Bangalore Derby and despite racing within a week, won the coveted Indian Derby to provide Vijay Mallya the first of his many Indian Derby successes. Incidentally, Mick Kinane who rode Hotstepper to victory in the Derby this year had also ridden Cordon Bleu. Cordon Bleu went on to become a champion broodmare and foaled Continual who was one of the greatest horses India has seen. Continual won everything that he raced and just when he was in sight of greatness, he broke down with just a fortnight to go for the Indian Derby and was put down.

Riyahi (Ire, b 1979-1995 By Red God out of Ravela by Teerko) was bred by H H The Aga Khan and raced in France and England in his breeder`s colors. From eight starts at two and three, he won two races including Prix de Foals (L) and placed twice. Retired to stud in 1983, he stood at the Poona Stud Farm till he died in 1995. From 13 crops of 289 named foals, Riyahi was the sire of 278 starters, 248 winners, 114 black-type performers, 1083 wins.

Adler, Star Contender, Oxford Blue, Divine Light, Cordon Bleu, Ministerial, Amazing Bay, Astounding, Super Brave, Starfire Gir, Summer Dust, Academic, Midnight Madness, Thanksgiving, Aphroze, Ardisia, Classic Line, City Girl and Wind Song are some of the champions that Riyahi sired.

Riyahi was also a top class broodmare sire and he is responsible for Saddle Up who gave Indian racing world wide attention by his exploits at Malaysia and Singapore, Continual, Her Excellency, Mystic Memory who gave the mighty Mystical, the star of Dubai Racing Carnival for India, Aayush, Cape Star, Divine Dreams and Capita Risk. Riyahi was a champion sire in India for three years between 1992-06 and champion broodmare sire in 1998-99.

Riyahi`s death at a relatively young age of 16 years in 1995 came as a rude shock to the Poonawalla Family because it coincided with the phasing out of another champion sire Malvado. It took a few years for the stud farm to regain its hold on the classics in India as Razeen had stormed the scene. The arrival of Placerville and Alnasr Alwasheek filled up the void left by Riyahi. Despite his short stint as a stallion, Riyahi has been assured of an exalted position in the illustrious stallions that have stood in India. His legacy lives on.

Source: Indian Stud Book