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Unbeaten filly proves her class in Longchamp romp

The Aga Khan's sensational filly Zarkava lived up to expectations by storming to victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The hot favourite came with a sweeping run under a confident Christophe Soumillon to retain her unbeaten record and become the first filly since Urban Sea in 1993 to land the Longchamp feature.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan celebrates the win at Longchamp.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan (L) and the Aga Kahn owner of French horse Zarkava wave at the crowd after his horse won the 87th Arc de Triomphe horsing race ,the world's richest race on turf, at Longchamp Racecourse near Paris October 5, 2008. mbdartz

Zarkava's owner-breeder Karim The Aga Khan poses with a trophy after his three-year-old filly ridden by Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon won the 87th Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe race on October 5, 2008 at Longchamp racetrack in Paris . Zarkava produced one of the greatest performances in racing history here as she became the first winner to come from stall one since Prince Royale II in 1964 to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The owner of Zarkava his highness Aga Khan, center, his daughter Zahra Aga Khan and French jockey Christophe Soumillon hold their trophies after winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe horse race at Longchamp race track in Paris , Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008.

Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon after capturing the 87th Arc de Triomphe horsing race, the world's richest race on turf, at Longchamp Racecourse near Paris October 5, 2008.

Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon (2dR) poses with his trophy after winning the 87th Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe race riding favorite filly Zarkava, flanked by Zarkava's trainer Alain de Royer Dupre (R), owner of the horse the Aga Khan and his daughter Princess Zahra on October 5, 2008 at Longchamp racetrack in Paris . Zarkava produced one of the greatest performances in racing history here at Longchamp as she became the first winner to come from stall one since Prince Royale II in 1964 to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon poses with his trainer Alain de Royer Dupre (R) and the Aga Khan (L), owner of French horse Zarkava, after capturing the 87th Arc de Triomphe horsing race, the world's richest race on turf, at Longchamp Racecourse near Paris October 5, 2008.

H.H. the Aga Khan celebrates his win with Jockey at Longchamp Racecourse near Paris October 5, 2008.

Longchamp: Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon celebrates aboard Aga Khan's French horse Zarkava

PARIS (AFP) — Zarkava became the first three-year-old filly since Akiyda in 1982 to win Europe's richest race, the four million euro Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, at Longchamp here on Sunday.

The Aga Khan's filly proved her brilliance and justified favouritism under cool handling from her jockey Christophe Soumillon.

Trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre and running in the colours of the Aga Khan Zarkava beat last year's runner-up Youmzain.

Three-year-old Zarkava is The Aga Khan's unbeaten filly who faces males for the first time at Longchamp in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

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