The admirably consistent Hakkar, a four-year-old colt by Dalham Hall stud stallion Halling, returned to the winners enclosure on Friday August 12, when landing the International Listed race, the Celal Bayar (a local G2 contest) over Istanbul's one-and-a-half mile turf course. Hakkar was Turkey's Champion juvenile colt in 2009 and the Champion three-year-old stayer of last season, when he won their version of the St Leger. He had been second on each of his last four contests this season, three of which were at local Group level (and all International Stakes races).
Hakkar's dam Valleria (Sadler's Wells) was covered by Halling before being sold in foal at Goffs for €38,000. Foaled in Turkey by H Yavas, he is related to the Stakes winners Cymbal, Musha Merr and Kandidate.
Famed for siring tough and classy runners, Halling is responsible for 23 Group winners worldwide including a brace of French G1-winners, Cavalryman and Cutlass Bay. He has sired 13 G1-horses, with these select few averaging nearly 30 starts apiece.
