A half brother to two horses who earned the title of “European Horse of the Year,” Dawalan showed nothing like that level of ability on the flat, failing to win in four tries in France. Turned to hurdling at the 2013 Newbury (England) meeting, he won in his second outing over the fences. He continued hurdling in England in 2014 and 2015 at a modest level of success before being sent to the United States. There, he earned an Eclipse Award based on victories in the Grand National Hurdle Stakes and Colonial Cup Stakes, both Grade 1 events under National Steeplechase Association rules. After that, physical problems prevented further success, as the gelding failed to finish in one start each in 2017 and 2018. He was retrained in show jumping and dressage following the end of his racing career.
Race record
22 starts, 6 wins, 5 seconds, 1 thirds, US$359,331 (includes converted earnings from England and France)
2015:
Honors
Eclipse Award, American champion steeplechaser (2015)
As an individual
A strong, good-looking gray gelding, Dawalan needed time to mature.
Connections
Bred and owned by the Aga Khan IV, Dawalan was originally trained by André Fabre. He was sold privately to Simon Munir and Isaac Souede to continue his racing career as a hurdler under the training of Nicky Henderson. In the United States, he was owned by Irvin S. Naylor and trained by Cyril Murphy. He was ridden to both of his major victories by Ross Geraghty. He began his career as a sporthorse under the care of trainer Rosie Allen.
Pedigree notes
Sired by 2005 European champion older male Azamour, Dawalan is inbred 5x5 to two-time American Horse of the Year Native Dancer. He is a half brother to 1999 European Horse of the Year and American champion turf male Daylami (by Doyoun), to 2003 European Horse of the Year Dalakhani (by Darshaan), to 2010 Prix du Palais-Royal (FR-G3) winner Dalghar (by Anabaa), and to French listed stakes winner Daymarti (by Caerleon). Dawalan is also a half brother to Dalataya (by Sadler’s Wells), second dam of two-time Spanish champion White King; to Dalmiya (by Kalanisi), dam of 2013 Prix de Guiche (FR-G3) winner Dalwari (by More Than Ready); and to Daltama (by Indian Ridge), dam of 2015 Dubai Shema Classic (UAE-G1) winner Dolniya (by Azamour) and second dam of French Group 3 winner Dilawar and Australian Group 3 winner Interpretation. In addition, Dawalan is a half brother to Daltaiyma (by Doyoun), dam of 2006 Prix de la Grotte (FR-G3) winner Daltaya (by Anabaa), second dam of 2013 Prix de l’Opera (FR-G1) winner Dalkala, and third dam of multiple Australian Group 2 winner Four Moves Ahead and Australian Group 3 winner Emeralds.
Dawalan and his siblings were produced from French listed stakes winner Daltawa, whose half sister Damerela (by Alzao) is the dam of multiple hurdle stakes winner Strangely Brown (by Second Empire). Daltawa is also a half sister to Dame Again (by Danehill), dam of multiple Canadian stakes winner Aces Again (by Ghostzapper) and of multiple hurdle stakes winner N’Golo (by Galileo).
Daltawa, in turn, is out of Damana, a stakes-placed daughter of 1977 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, FR-G1) winner Crystal Palace and a half sister to French listed stakes winner Dastaan (by Arctic Tern). Produced from the Crepello mare Denia (a half sister to Grade 1-placed listed stakes winner Raykour, by Dalsaan), Damana is also a half sister to Denizliya (by Sadler’s Wells), dam of Irish listed stakes winner Deynawari (by Doyoun) and the stakes-winning hurdler Derawar (by Kahyasi), and to Dedara (by Head for Heights), second dam of multiple French Group 3 winner Mariol.
Fun facts
Last updated: July 23, 2026
Race record
22 starts, 6 wins, 5 seconds, 1 thirds, US$359,331 (includes converted earnings from England and France)
2015:
- Won Marion duPont Scott Colonial Cup Stakes (NSA-G1, 22FT, Camden)
- Won Grand National Hurdle Stakes (NSA-G1, 21FT, Far Hills)
- 3rd Lonesome Glory Hurdle Stakes (NSA-G1, 24FT, Belmont)
Honors
Eclipse Award, American champion steeplechaser (2015)
As an individual
A strong, good-looking gray gelding, Dawalan needed time to mature.
Connections
Bred and owned by the Aga Khan IV, Dawalan was originally trained by André Fabre. He was sold privately to Simon Munir and Isaac Souede to continue his racing career as a hurdler under the training of Nicky Henderson. In the United States, he was owned by Irvin S. Naylor and trained by Cyril Murphy. He was ridden to both of his major victories by Ross Geraghty. He began his career as a sporthorse under the care of trainer Rosie Allen.
Pedigree notes
Sired by 2005 European champion older male Azamour, Dawalan is inbred 5x5 to two-time American Horse of the Year Native Dancer. He is a half brother to 1999 European Horse of the Year and American champion turf male Daylami (by Doyoun), to 2003 European Horse of the Year Dalakhani (by Darshaan), to 2010 Prix du Palais-Royal (FR-G3) winner Dalghar (by Anabaa), and to French listed stakes winner Daymarti (by Caerleon). Dawalan is also a half brother to Dalataya (by Sadler’s Wells), second dam of two-time Spanish champion White King; to Dalmiya (by Kalanisi), dam of 2013 Prix de Guiche (FR-G3) winner Dalwari (by More Than Ready); and to Daltama (by Indian Ridge), dam of 2015 Dubai Shema Classic (UAE-G1) winner Dolniya (by Azamour) and second dam of French Group 3 winner Dilawar and Australian Group 3 winner Interpretation. In addition, Dawalan is a half brother to Daltaiyma (by Doyoun), dam of 2006 Prix de la Grotte (FR-G3) winner Daltaya (by Anabaa), second dam of 2013 Prix de l’Opera (FR-G1) winner Dalkala, and third dam of multiple Australian Group 2 winner Four Moves Ahead and Australian Group 3 winner Emeralds.
Dawalan and his siblings were produced from French listed stakes winner Daltawa, whose half sister Damerela (by Alzao) is the dam of multiple hurdle stakes winner Strangely Brown (by Second Empire). Daltawa is also a half sister to Dame Again (by Danehill), dam of multiple Canadian stakes winner Aces Again (by Ghostzapper) and of multiple hurdle stakes winner N’Golo (by Galileo).
Daltawa, in turn, is out of Damana, a stakes-placed daughter of 1977 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, FR-G1) winner Crystal Palace and a half sister to French listed stakes winner Dastaan (by Arctic Tern). Produced from the Crepello mare Denia (a half sister to Grade 1-placed listed stakes winner Raykour, by Dalsaan), Damana is also a half sister to Denizliya (by Sadler’s Wells), dam of Irish listed stakes winner Deynawari (by Doyoun) and the stakes-winning hurdler Derawar (by Kahyasi), and to Dedara (by Head for Heights), second dam of multiple French Group 3 winner Mariol.
Fun facts
- The 2015 edition of the Grand National was the richest race ever contested at a National Steeplechase Association meeting up to that time. It carried a guaranteed purse of US$300,000, of which Dawalan received US$180,000. The victory was crucial in boosting owner Naylor to a year-end title as leading American steeplechase owner.
- In the 2015 Grand National, Dawalan defeated Eshtiaal, who was ridden by Ross Geraghty’s brother, Barry Geraghty.
- Dawalan’s name comes from roots that mean “given” or “bestowed.”
Last updated: July 23, 2026