By Sean Cronin
His Highness The Aga Khan's hitherto unraced Zaykava (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), a daughter of unbeaten MG1SW European Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar), was the main focus of attention for Wednesday's Prix du Cochet, a 10-furlong heat for newcomers, on a low-key card at Compiegne and duly obliged as the well-backed 7-5 favourite.
5th-Compiegne, €20,000, Mdn, 7-1, unraced 3yo, 10fT, 2:11.10, sf.
ZAYKAVA (FR) (f, 3, Siyouni {Fr}–Zarkava {Ire} {Horse of the Year-Eur, Ch. 3yo Filly-Eur, Hwt. 2yo Filly-Fr & MG1SW-Fr, $4,793,989}, by Zamindar) was the main focus of attention for this low-key encounter and duly obliged as the well-backed 7-5 choice. The March-foaled bay was swiftly into stride and headed a group of three on the wide outside before rejoining the main body of the field in second at the end of the backstraight. Sent wide underneath the stands' side fence to launch her challenge off the home turn, she locked horns with Animal Fever (Animal Kingdom) passing the quarter-mile pole and kept on well under whipless cajoling to deny that rival by an ultimately comfortable 2 1/2 lengths. She becomes the fourth winner from as many runners out of unbeaten MG1SW European Horse of the Year Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) and the homebred bay is kin to G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud hero Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), stakes-winning G1 Prix Vermeille third Zarkamiya (Fr) (Frankel {GB}), the hitherto unraced 2-year-old colt Zaskar (Fr) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and a yearling filly by Dubawi (Ire). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €10,000. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
1ST-TIME STARTER. O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (FR); T-Alain de Royer-Dupre.
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