French Classic trials at Longchamp overnight produced a couple of exciting prospects by Churchill and Siyouni that are both bred and raced by Aga Khan Studs.
The Group III Prix Fontainebleau (1600m) was won by Churchill colt Ridari, who scored by a nose over Wootton Basset colt Sahlan.
Trained by Mikel Delzangles, Ridari won a maiden at Chantilly last year from just two starts and was making his seasonal debut.
“I'm very pleased, as he's not an easy horse–he can be quite keen, so the jockey gave him a real good ride,” Delzangles said.
“He quickened nicely and it was a good prep for the big one (G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains) in four weeks' time. He's a May foal and not even three yet, so there should be more to come. His dam was like him, quite keen but with a lot of class.”
Ridari is the 31st stakes-winner for Churchill, who has had good success for Aga Khan Stud’s previously giving them Champion 3YO Colt Vadeni.
Ridari is the best of five winners from Group I winning Motivator mare Ridasiyna.
The Group III Prix de la Grotte (1600m) was won by Siyouni filly Zarigana, who was a G3 winner last season and finished her juvenile year with a second in the Group I Prix Marcel Boussac.
Trained by Francis- Henri Graffard, Zarigana picked up well to the line to win by a neck and has now won three of four starts.
“There is so much expectation and pressure with this filly, but this job is easy for her mechanically which is not a surprise when you look at her pedigree,” said Graffard.
“She has a lot of quality and excitement in her, so we need to manage her properly and it is obviously very important to win a G1 with her.”
Zarigana is the best of two winners from stakes-winning Frankel mare Zarkamiya, a half-sister to Group I winning sire Zarak from 2008 European Horse of the Year Zarkava.
