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Aga Khan chasing Zarkava glory at the home of the Arc with progressive fillies 2020-05-14

Date: 
Thursday, 2020, May 14
Location: 
Source: 
Racing Post
Wonder filly Zarkava is remembered at the scene of her greatest triumph on Thursday Edward Whitake
Author: 
David Carr

11.40 Longchamp
Prix Zarkava – Fonds Europeen de l'Elevage (Listed) | 1m2½f | 4yo+ fillies and mares | SSR

If you owned and bred one of the superstars of the 21st century you are bound to be keen to win the race named in her honour.

Which may well explain why the Aga Khan has two runners in the Prix Zarkava, which commemorates his outstanding filly who lit up French racing in 2008 with four straight Group 1 wins culminating in success here in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Neither is yet in the league of Zarkava, who retired unbeaten and has already bred Group 1 winner Zarak at stud, but Dariyma is certainly going the right way having won her first two starts then finished second on her debut in this Listed grade last November.

She is ridden by Christophe Soumillon with Vincent Cheminaud on Dariyza, a stablemate at Alain de Royer Dupre's Chantilly yard who won at this level at Longchamp last October.

Nicolas Clement is hopeful for the reappearing Wonderment, a Group 1 winner at two, and said: "She has done well over the winter. This is a nice race to come back in and, if travelling is possible, it's not impossible she could go to Belmont for the New York Handicap in June.

"She is entitled to be a little rusty having not run since September but I'm very pleased with her."


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