By Tom Frary
Up half a mile from her inauspicious debut, Calasita (Zarak) enjoyed the stamina test at Saint-Cloud to get off the mark for Francis Graffard on Tuesday.
A half-sister to The Aga Khan Studs world leader Calandagan (Gleneagles), the Prix de Diane entry who had been seventh over a mile at Deauville in October followed the pace with Mickael Barzalona in no hurry.
Surging to the front with minimal urging approaching two out, the 23-10 second favourite gave extra to ward off Spirit Of Zarak (Zarak) late and prevail by half a length.
How high can she fly? 🤩
Calasita is a half-sister to Calandagan and takes a nice step forward to get off the mark at the second time of asking at Saint-Cloud… 🇫🇷@GraffardRacing | @AgaKhanStuds pic.twitter.com/Ct1sZsb7cC
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 24, 2026
The dam, who was runner-up in the G3 Prix Minerve, has also produced the G3 Prix Belle de Nuit third Calamandra (New Bay) alongside the aforementioned King George, Champion Stakes and Japan Cup hero. From the family of Danehill's Poule d'Essai des Poulains-winning sire Clodovil and the Belmont Derby Invitational runner-up Canndal (Medicean), her two-year-old filly is by Palace Pier.
3rd-Saint-Cloud, €24,700, Mdn, 3-24, 3yo, f, 12fT, 2:35.86, gs.
CALASITA (IRE) (f, 3, Zarak {Fr}–Calayana {Fr} {GSP-Fr}, by Sinndar {Ire}) Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, €12,350.
O/B-The Aga Khan Studs; T-Francis Graffard.
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