By Tom Frary
Labeled a TDN Rising Star following her taking debut success over an inadequate mile at this circuit Apr. 19, Zarkamiya took a backward step next time when only fourth in a 10 1/2-furlong conditions event at Chantilly May 18 and reappeared with questions to answer. Anchored in mid-division early by Christophe Soumillon, the bay had to navigate her way around the errant long-time leader Aumale (GB) (Dansili {GB}) inside the final quarter mile as fellow TDN Rising Star Enchanting Skies got first run on her. Finding some of her brilliant dam's famous acceleration to close the gap, she managed to join that rival in the last 50 metres before asserting for a vital first black-type success.
Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre is hoping she can still measure up to her outstanding pedigree. “She's a sweet filly, but she has a tendency to worry about everything and her rider has to manage her stress,” he explained. “He did that very well today and she was able to show her true quality. Of course, you would expect there is improvement to come as she is very lightly-raced and so well-bred, so we'll see how she comes out of this. The [Aug. 12 G3 Prix] Minerve at Deauville is a possibility.” The Aga Khan's racing manager Georges Rimaud added, “This is obviously a nice stallion and mare combination. She was sore in her back after last time and she took a long while to come back. She also likes an even track like this.”
Zarkava, whose best days were reserved for this track, requires no introduction as the ground-breaking unbeaten heroine of the Arc and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and G1 Prix de Diane. This is her sixth foal and second winner alongside the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud hero and G1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}). Her 2-year-old colt by Invincible Spirit (Ire) is named Zarkallani (Fr), while she also has a yearling filly by Siyouni (Fr).
PRIX DE THIBERVILLE-Listed, €55,000, ParisLongchamp, 7-14, 3yo, f, 12fT, 2:31.31, gd.
1–ZARKAMIYA (FR), 126, f, 3, by Frankel (GB)">Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Zarkava (Ire) (HotY-Eur & MG1SW-Fr, $4,793,989), by Zamindar
2nd Dam: Zarkasha (Ire), by Kahyasi (Ire)
3rd Dam: Zarkana (Ire), by Doyoun (Ire)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (FR); T-Alain de Royer-Dupre; J-Christophe Soumillon. €27,500. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, €42,800. *1/2 to Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), G1SW-Fr & GSW-UAE, $1,355,479.
2–Enchanting Skies (Ire), 126, f, 3, Sea the Stars (Ire)—Estefania (Ger), by Acatenango (Ger). (€500,000 Ylg '16 BBAGS). O-Qatar Racing Ltd, Ecurie des Monceaux & Mme Barbara M Keller. €11,000.
3–Hermaphrodite (Fr), 126, f, 3, Le Havre (Ire)–Decency (Ire), by Celtic Swing (GB). (€27,000 Ylg '16 ARQNOV). O-Ecurie de Montlahuc. €8,250.
Margins: SNK, 1HF, 3/4. Odds: 3.80, 2.10, 6.20.
Also Ran: Ligne d'Or (GB), Standing Up (Fr), Jaylan, Aumale (GB), Wagga Wagga (Fr), Sextine (GB). DNF: Holy Ruler (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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