By Tom Frary
Thursday's G3 Prix Des Chenes was robbed of TDN Rising Star Alcantor (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), leaving just a trio for ParisLongchamp's mile contest and a slowly-run affair which saw The Aga Khan's Zabiari (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) prevail. Runner-up in the Listed Criterium du FEE at Deauville last month, the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained 6-5 second favourite followed the G3 Prix Francois Boutin winner Grey Man (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) around before being launched two out. In front soon after, he veered towards the rail inside the last half furlong to hamper that 7-10 favourite but the interference was judged minimal and he was allowed to keep the contest which he won by 1 1/4 lengths.
One with bigger targets ahead? Zabiari holds a Group 1 Lagardere entry and takes the Group 3 Prix des Chenes at @paris_longchamp for @CristianDemuro, Jean-Claude Rouget and @AgaKhanStuds… pic.twitter.com/8sMeBVbH1Q
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 7, 2023
Pedigree Notes
Zabiari, who had won over 6 1/2 furlongs here on debut in May and had also been second to TDN Rising Star Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in Deauville's Listed Prix Roland de Chambure in July, is the best progeny so far out of the listed-placed Zaridiya who is a granddaughter of the G3 Prix de Sandringham winner Zarkiya (Ire) (Catrail). This is the family of the owner-breeder's magnificent Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar), whose relentless run of top-level success took in this venue's Arc, Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, Prix Marcel Boussac and Prix Vermeille as well as the Prix de Diane. Zaridiya's yearling filly is by Showcasing (GB), while she also has a colt foal by Mohaather (GB).
Burke Bloodstock's Joseph Burke shrewdly picked up the 11-year-old Zaridiya for 50,000 at Arqana December last year.
“Zaridiya (GB) is a gorgeous-looking mare that was stakes placed over one mile at ParisLongchamp [second Prix des Lilas],” said Joseph Burke. “As a producer she had two winners from two runners, had a colt to run for her by Wootton Bassett, a filly by Showcasing and was carrying to Mohaather.
“She has the page as well with Zarkava (Ire) under the third dam and the legendary Petite Etoile (who only had three foals) as her sixth dam. The Aga Khan Studs are great people to buy from; they have poured over a century of hard work and dedication into these lines and it's great to be able to tap into them.
“We valued her at €75,000 and somehow we were lucky enough to get her for €50,000. She produced a lovely colt who'll be offered at the Goffs Breeding Stock Sales in November. Arqana has been an exceptionally lucky sale for us to buy from over the past few years.”
Thursday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DES CHENES-G3, €80,000, ParisLongchamp, 9-7, 2yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:45.22, g/s.
1–ZABIARI (GB), 129, c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Zaridiya (Ire) (SP-Fr), by Duke Of Marmalade (Ire)
2nd Dam: Zarkalia (Ire), by Red Ransom
3rd Dam: Zarkiya (Ire), by Catrail
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-H H Aga Khan; B-His Highness The Aga Khan's Studs SC (GB); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Cristian Demuro. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 4-2-2-0, €93,000. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Grey Man (Fr), 129, c, 3, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Top Toss (Ire), by Linamix (Fr). (€39,000 RNA Wlg '21 ARQDEC; €60,000 RNA Ylg '22 ARQOCT). O-Julien Dubois & Jean-Philippe Dubois; B-Ecurie Skymarc Farm; T-Patrice Cottier. €16,000.
3–Rock The Kasbah (Fr), 129, g, 2, City Light (Fr)–Moisson Precoce (GB), by Lawman (Fr).
1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€85,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG). O-Ecurie Jean-Louis Bouchard & Haras d'Etreham; B-Mme I Corbani (FR); T-Fabrice Chappet. €12,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1 3/4. Odds: 1.20, 0.70, 5.40.
Scratched: Alcantor (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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