Frankel’s Zarkava Filly Takes the Thiberville

[Wandering Eyes]

   Labeled a TDN Rising Star following her debut success over a mile here Apr. 19, Zarkamiya who is a daughter of the brilliant Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) was only fourth in a 10 1/2-furlong conditions event at Chantilly May 18 and so had questions to answer on this return. Anchored in mid-division early by Christophe Soumillon, the 19-5 second favourite had to navigate her way past the errant long-time leader Aumale (GB) (Dansili {GB}) inside the final quarter mile as fellow TDN Rising Star Enchanting Skies (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) got first run on her. Finding some of her dam’s famous acceleration to close the gap, the bay managed that in the last 50 metres to assert for a short-neck success. 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.”

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)
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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