By Sean Cronin
Al Shaqab Racing's Shaikha (Fr) (Ribchester {Ire}) was one of three supplementary nominations for Thursday's Prix Equidia at Deauville and justified the additional expenditure with a taking performance in the six-furlong debutantes' heat to earn 'TDN Rising Stardom'. She was sharply into stride and tracked the pace in second through the early fractions. Looming large on the bridle soon after passing the halfway mark, the 9-2 chance was not for catching once inching ahead approaching the final quarter mile and kept on powerfully under miminal urging in the latter stages to easily outclass Assyrian Queen (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) by an impressive three lengths.
Shaikha is the second foal and scorer produced by a winning half-sister to four black-type performers headed by G3 Prix du Bois victrix Keratiya (Fr) (Iron Mask) and Listed Prix Hampton winner Kerasona (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}). The €240,000 Arqana September yearling is a half-sister to Listed Criterium de Lyon victor and G3 Prix La Force placegetter Darkness (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). The March-foaled dark bay's second dam Kerasha (Fr) (Daylami {Ire}), herself a daughter of G3 Anglesey S. winner Keraka (Storm Bird), is a half-sister to Listed Brownstown S. victrix Kermiyana (Ire) (Green Desert) and G3 Prix de la Porte Maillot third Keramani (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}).
2nd-Deauville, €27,000, Mdn, 8-5, unraced 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:08.64, gd.
SHAIKHA (FR), f, 2, by Ribchester (Ire)
1st Dam: Kerila (Fr), by Makfi (GB)
2nd Dam: Kerasha (Fr), by Daylami (Ire)
3rd Dam: Keraka, by Storm Bird
1ST-TIME STARTER. Sales history: €240,000 Ylg '20 ARQSEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €13,500. O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-Ecurie Haras du Cadran & Ecurie Melanie (FR); T-Andre Fabre. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.
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