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There was incredible drama at the finish of the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Group 1) on Sunday at ParisLongchamp. For several long minutes, it seemed that the British filly Shes Perfect (by Sioux Nation) had pulled off an impressive gate-to-wire victory, showing true grit… but unfortunately for her, the filly owned by the Basher Watts Racing 2 syndicate drifted significantly in the home straight, severely hampering Zarigana (by Siyouni).

If the most exciting sight in Flat racing is to watch a horse with a real turn of foot played daringly late, then it is possible that Zarigana might produce more than her share of thrills as the season progresses.

Mickael Barzalona has learned the Aga Khan Studs' regally bred daughter of Siyouni needs to be the last to attack and, with energy pent up in the 189 days since her fractional defeat in the Prix Marcel Boussac, he left Zarigana with barely a furlong and a half of the Prix de la Grotte to work with before he let her at the front-running Shes Perfect.

Keeping it simple on the 6-5 favourite Mandanaba (Fr) (Ghaiyyath (Ire), Mickael Barzalona allowed the exciting Francis-Henri Graffard-trained homebred to roll from the front and capture Sunday's G3 Al Shira'aa Racing Prix Vanteaux at ParisLongchamp. Sufficiently impressive on her debut at Chantilly in November to earn TDN Rising Star status, Princess Zahra Aga Khan's daughter of her triple Group 1 winner Mandesha (Fr) (Desert Style {Ire}) was in dominant mood throughout.

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.

Dalakhani recorded a famous success in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barriere at Longchamp.
The Alain de Royer Dupre-trained colt had to dig very deep to fight off the brave challenge of Marcus Tregoning's Mubtaker. Aidan O'Brien's High Chaparral finished well back in third for the second successive year, with Doyen fourth. Christophe Soumillon raced towards the back of the field on the 9-4 second favourite in the early stages from his high draw.

Dalakhani maintained his 100 per cent record with a smooth victory in the Prix Lupin at Longchamp.The Aga Khan colt, trained by Alain de Royer Dupre, came through with a perfectly-timed run inside the final furlong to beat another French-trained colt, Super Celebre, with Aidan O'Brien's Alberto Giacometti third.Pacemaker Balestrini was pushed into the lead of this Group One race after a few strides, followed by Dalakhani's stable companion Diyapour.

Zarkava, in the Aga Khan's green & red colours, comes from behind to win!

Carla Bruni yesterday gained a rival as the most photographed female in France as Zarkava produced a stunning performance to add her name to the roll call of Arc greats.

Bruni, the former model who is the wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, has grown accustomed to the paparazzi pressing cameras in her face, but the best filly in the world got a taste of the snapping tussle as the flickering lenses pressed into her in the winner's enclosure.

ZARKAVA was crowned Queen of Europe after a breathtaking win in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp yesterday.

The Aga Khan’s unbeaten filly, who was stretching her run to seven, has never been more impressive as she stormed two lengths clear of Youmzain in the Paris thriller.

Soldier Of Fortune dead-heated with It’s Gino for third but Duke Of Marmalade never looked like winning his sixth Group 1 of the season.

Zarkava became the first three-year-old filly to win the race since Akiyda, also owned by the Aga Khan, in 1982.

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

Simply the best: Rivals are left trailing as Zarkava scoots clear to land the race

For one dramatic moment at the start of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the fabulous French filly Zarkava looked in danger of ducking out of the biggest challenge in her short career. But jockey Christophe Soumillon's quick reflexes and brilliant horsemanship saved the day.

The Aga Khan spoke of history and heritage after Zarkava's outstanding victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe here yesterday, of the five generations of his family, in India and Europe, who had worked towards this moment of triumph. The course announcer was more direct. "Quelle pouliche!", he shouted, as the crowd streamed back towards the winner's enclosure. "Quelle pouliche! Extraordinaire!"

PARIS, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Super filly Zarkava, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, stormed to victory in the $5.58 million Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday, the world's richest race on turf.

The hot favourite, overcoming fears about the softish ground, took up the running with 300 metres to go and quickly put the issue beyond doubt. She has now won all her seven races.

Trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre for the Aga Khan, Zarkava became the first filly to win the Arc since Urban Sea in 1993.

Winning Filly Zarkava

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.

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.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan celebrates the win at Longchamp.