TDN RISING STARS

September 4, 2009 - CHANTILLY, Race , Mdn, EUR €24,000, 1m, 15.0000

Darma (Fr), f, 2, 2007 by Danehill Dancer (Ire)

1st Dam: Darashandeh (Ire) (GSP-Fr), by Darshaan (GB)
2nd Dam: Daralinsha, by Empery
3rd Dam: Darazina (Fr), by Labus (Fr)

Owner: H H The Aga Khan
Breeder: H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC
Trainer: Alain de Royer-Dupre

In the aftermath of stablemate Rosanara (Fr) (Sinndar {Ire}) earning “TDN Rising Star” status at Longchamp on Tuesday, Alain de Royer-Dupre commented he may have a better filly back at his Chantilly base, namely Darma. The trainer's judgment was not misplaced and, allied to crowd confidence, the bay homebred announced her arrival on the scene with a polished display in this newcomers' event. However, the 1-2 favorite was dismounted after pulling up lame on her near-fore leg. Racing under cover at the back of midfield for most of the contest, she made smooth headway from the quarter-mile marker and quickened smartly inside the final 100 meters to comfortably account for Flying Grace (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB}) by 3/4-of-a-length. “She won in the style of a very promising filly, but two strides after the post she took a bad step and pulled up lame,” explained jockey Christophe Lemaire. Elaborating further, Racing Manager Georges Rimaud added, “It looks like she may have a fracture. She has been vanned to the local veterinary clinic, but she was standing on all four legs so it looks like something can be done to help her. We'll know more in the coming hours.” The winner is a half to Darsi (Fr) (Polish Precedent), G1SW-Fr, $1,205,252; and Darsha (Fr) (Sakhee), MGSP-Fr, $116,812. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €12,000.