Zarigana team content with Coronation choice
Successful on three of her first four starts for Francis-Henri Graffard in the colours of the late Aga Khan, the Siyouni filly passed the post second to the Charlie Fellowes-trained Shes Perfect in the French 1000 Guineas, the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, before being promoted to first by the stewards.
Zarigana could have taken on Shes Perfect again in the French Oaks at Chantilly on Sunday, but she will instead stick to a mile on the penultimate day of the Royal meeting next week.
Zarigana wins the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches in the stewards' room! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/qTNAVTJ8Vm
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 11, 2025
Nemone Routh, racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs, said: 'The trainer was very keen to run Zarigana in Ascot. We obviously did consider the Prix de Diane because I think she relaxed a lot more last time and she seems to be gaining maturity in her races, so it did become more of an option to consider the Diane for her.
'But I think Francis has trained her more to race over a mile in this first part of the season, that doesn't mean that we wouldn't stretch her out later in the year. I think he felt it was always part of the programme that he had set aside for her that she would go to Royal Ascot after the Pouliches, especially as we had other fillies for the Diane.
'Zarigana is due to have her last piece of work tomorrow (Thursday) morning. She worked last week and is in good form, so provided all goes well tomorrow, I imagine it's all systems go for Royal Ascot.'
In Zarigana's absence, the Aga Khan's team will be doubly represented in the Prix de Diane Longines, with French Guineas third Mandanaba carrying the colours of the late owner's daughter Princess Zahra and Listed scorer Cankoura also in the mix.
Routh added: 'Principally I think His Highness and Princess Zahra identify themselves as breeders who like to race their horses, and having fillies that are capable of running well in this race is one of our principal objectives of the year.
'We love to have fillies that can perform at the top level, the Prix de Diane is a race His Highness loved to have runners in and obviously he holds the record for the winning-most owner, and all of those fillies were bred by him as well.
'It's a very special race for our organisation and we're very happy to have two runners this year in the two different silks'.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
42 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘He's bigger, stronger and better than ever' – Templegate's 5-2 NAP for the Gosdens
TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS Horse racing tips: 'He's bigger, stronger and better than ever' – Templegate's 5-2 NAP for the Gosdens TEMPLEGATE tackles Friday's racing confident of building the bank for Royal Ascot. Back a horse by clicking their odds below. BURRITO (4.10 York, nap) Having missed his two-year-old season, this Gosden-trained son of Lope De Vega showed bundles of promise when winning on debut at Newmarket this time last year. He then went close at Chester in September before being gelded over the winter. He looked a bigger and stronger prospect when returning at Newbury 28 days ago. The four-year-old absolutely tanked along and was value for a fair bit more than the official margin of half a length. Unfortunately the handicapper was paying attention but a 10lb rise in the weights is fair enough. MISS JUSTICE (3.15 Sandown, nb) Will relish this longer trip under William Buick after an excellent second at Wolverhampton last time. She makes her handicap debut off the same mark and can give the Gosdens another winner. TOPTEAM (3.25 Chester, treble) Enjoyed himself over this course and distance 13 days ago when scooting in by more than three lengths. This race looks little tougher and he can take another step forward for Andrew Balding. Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
South Wales Guardian
3 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Blue Bolt strike sees Keane waste no time in celebrating Juddmonte position
It was the first time the six-time Irish champion had donned the famous colours of the Abdullah family since his appointment was announced on Monday, as he took the reins aboard Andrew Balding's Windsor scorer Blue Bolt, who was sent off the 6-4 second-favourite for the Darley EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes. The Irishman left little to chance with a positive ride and having asked his mount to quicken and put the race to bed passing the two-furlong pole, Blue Bolt soon put distance between his rivals. Although seeing her advantage shortened by Roger Varian' Majaz in the closing stages, Blue Bolt was still a length and a quarter clear at the winning post to help rubber stamp Keane's position as first choice to one of the leading ownership operations in racing. His first ride and it's a first winner for Colin Keane in the @JuddmonteFarms silks since his appointment! Blue Bolt looks to be a filly going places as she doubles up with a taking performance at @NewburyRacing for @AndrewBalding2! — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 12, 2025 Keane said: 'It's the perfect start and she is a nice filly who was a good winner the last day and seems to have stepped forward again. 'She's very uncomplicated, she just gallops on and is a nice filly. It felt very easy for her in the first half of the race and I was trying to take her back a little bit and she just got a bit lonely once she had quickened away from them. But I would say she is a filly with a nice future. 'I'm very privileged to be asked to wear these colours and they are iconic in racing. I have grown up looking at them and their farm is only up the road so I'm in a very privileged position.' Although this was Keane's first ride on a member of the Juddmonte string in an official capacity, he has twice tasted Classic honours in their silks when winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas with both Siskin in 2020 and John and Thady Gosden's Field Of Gold only last month. It is the latter that could prove Keane's trump card at Royal Ascot next week and speaking to Sky Sports Racing he added: 'He was very good on the day (in the Irish Guineas) and he felt like a proper horse. I don't think I've ridden one as good as him to be honest. 'Only time will tell, but I think a fast pace would help him and bring him along further (in the St James's Palace) and hopefully he's then good enough to pick them off.' Earlier on the card George Boughey's 8-11 favourite Moonfall opened his account at the third attempt when a two-length winner of the first division of the Local IQ EBF Novice Stakes, while Charlie Appleby's heavy odds-on favourite Time To Turn was turned over in the second division by Clive Cox's 28-1 outsider A Bit Of Spirit.
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
King Charles to attend every day of Ascot after surprising himself with love for the races
Read on to find out what happened when the King met David Beckham REIN OVER US King Charles to attend every day of Ascot after surprising himself with love for the races KING Charles is set to attend every day of Royal Ascot after he 'surprised himself' at how much he loves the occasion. He and Camilla will be ever-present at the five-day meet, cheering on their horses from the royal box. Advertisement 2 King Charles will attend every day of Royal Ascot this year after admitting he 'surprised himself' at how much he loves the occasion Credit: David Dyson- Commissioned by The Sun 2 The King and Queen enjoying the Ascot meeting Credit: David Dyson- Commissioned by The Sun Charles has been a regular at the event throughout the years supporting his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, who loved horse racing. Camilla is also a big fan. But since Charles became King, he has had a leading role there — and has enjoyed getting stuck in. A source said: 'Camilla has been passionate about horse racing for many years but the King has surprised himself by how much he enjoys it. 'It is an opportunity to catch up with guests and show support for the horse racing industry.' Advertisement It is believed the King has two horses running at the festival, although the full list of runners and riders has yet to be officially confirmed. His horse The King's Falcon could be a shrewd bet after the three-year-old gelding won at Carlisle two weeks ago. The week kicks off on Tuesday when the King Charles III Stakes is one of the opening day highlights. But news of the King's fondness of racing comes after it emerged the 76-year-old will not appear on horseback at Trooping the Colour tomorrow. Advertisement It is the second year in a row Charles has been forced to ride in a carriage for his official birthday parade because of his prostate operation and cancer diagnosis. BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM By Matt Wilkinson, Royal Editor FOOTIE great David Beckham bends in a bow for King Charles during a palace awards bash — in possible practise for being knighted. The ex-England captain, 50, who is set to become Sir David, joined a host of famous faces for the 35th anniversary of the King's Foundation Awards at St James's Palace. They included Hollywood actresses Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet, who was heard telling Charles: 'Don't worry, I've got your back.' Penny Lancaster, who is an ambassador for the foundation along with Beckham, was full of praise for His Majesty, saying: 'He's been an absolute pioneer and visionary.' Harry's latest stunt sends a terrible message - the King should sever him Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
