By Tom Frary
Princess Zahra Aga Khan's triple group 1 winner Mandesha (Fr) (Desert Style {Ire}) has so far failed to produce anything of major note as a broodmare, but the performance of her debutante daughter Mandanaba (Fr) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) at Chantilly on Tuesday suggests there could be a long-overdue change in the conversation. Introduced in the 9 1/2-furlong Prix de la Voie du Garde on the Polytrack by Francis-Henri Graffard, the homebred who is the first TDN Rising Star of his sire's first crop was allowed to coast to the front from the break by Mickael Barzalona and set about carving out solid fractions in stark contrast to the colts' division won an hour earlier.
Sending her peers packing passing the two-furlong pole, the 12-5 favourite hit the line strong with six lengths to spare over Roy Racing's Day Dreaming (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), the daughter of the dual group 3 winner and G1 Prix Rothschild and G1 Prix Jean Romanet-placed Siyoushake (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) in a time over seven seconds faster than that of Uther (GB) (Camelot {GB}). What was particularly striking is that whereas the colts' category winner Uther closed out in 34.37 for his final three furlongs having saved up energy in a stroll through the first 6 1/2 furlongs, Mandanaba managed the same final split in 34.48 despite having been far ahead of him in their virtual race.
“In her home work, she looked like a one-paced filly and I wanted to see what she could show in the afternoon,” Graffard explained. “To avoid being caught for speed, leading was the right tactic but she also showed a good change of gear which is a good sign for the future.”
We've just seen a very good filly!
Mandanaba, out of multiple Group 1 winner Mandesha, bolts up on debut at @fgchantilly…@GraffardRacing @mickaelbarzalon @AgaKhanStuds pic.twitter.com/CHjYAiTBw2
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 12, 2024
Pedigree Notes
Mandesha, who was the champion 3-year-old filly of 2006 courtesy of wins in the G1 Prix Vermeille, G1 Prix d'Astarte and G1 Prix de l'Opera and who was also second in the G1 Nassau Stakes, was off to a bright start to her second career when producing Smart Strike's G1 Prix d'Ispahan-placed sire Mandour. Subsequently without a black-type performer from five runners and eight foals, she has this talented juvenile and the unraced 3-year-old filly Manshina (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) to fly the flag. The family also features Doyoun's GI Manhattan Handicap and GI Turf Classic-winning sire Manndar (Ire).
3rd-Chantilly, €30,000, Debutantes, 11-12, 2yo, f, 9 1/2f (AWT), 1:58.57, st.
MANDANABA (FR), f, 2, by Ghaiyyath (Ire)
1st Dam: Mandesha (Fr) (Champion 3-y-o Filly, MG1SW-Fr, G1SP-Eng, $974,461), by Desert Style (Ire)
2nd Dam: Mandalara (Ire), by Lahib
3rd Dam: Madiriya (Ire), by Diesis (GB)
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €15,000. O/B-Princess Zahra Aga Khan (FR); T-Francis-Henri Graffard. *1/2 to Mandour (Smart Strike), SW-Eng & G1SP-Fr, $198,499. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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