Maiden winners weekly (June 5-11)

ZONE REGARD (F2), IRE by Acclamation and Lafleur (Grand Lodge)
Prix Kefalin (Maiden, 2yo, 1,200m Turf), June 6, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Ahmed Mouknass and Pandora Racing
Trainer: Mauricio Delcher Sanchez
Breeder: Paul McCarthy
Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

After two unsuccessful attempts over 5 furlongs at Deauville, Zone Regard opened her winning tally in the very last strides only, and for her first test over 6 furlongs - and one turn. The Irish-bred filly beat Victoria's Angel (Dark Angel) by a mere headwhile the beginner Bay of Rest (Sunday Break) finished well at a length.

Zone Regard had been unlucky in her previous run and she deserved her revenge. She is out of Lafleur, who did not win but gave six winners, including Charlie Farnsbarns (Cape Cross), who finished second to eventual Derby-winner Authorized (Montjeu) in the Racing Post Trophy (Gr1) at 2 but only ran once at 3, then returned at 4 to win a Group 3 over 9 furlongs at the end of the year ...

This probably helped Zone Regard to reach €30,000 when Marc-Antoine Berghgracht (MAB Agency) bought her for two of his most regular clients, Ahmed Mouknass and Tony Forde, who are also associated with Isabelle Corbani in the French champion sprinter Signs of Blessing!

REBELLITO (G3), FRA by Montmartre and Saga d'Or (Sagacity)
Prix ​​Noir et Or (Maiden, 3yo C&G, 1,600m Turf), June 6, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Mme Jean-Louis Giral
Trainer: Joël Boisnard
Breeder: Mrs Jean-Louis Giral
Rider: Gerald Mossé

Third for his debut in Tours, where he ran very well, the gelding Rebellito was ridden closer to the pace for his first try over a larger course and even though he ran green once again, he showed some spirit enoyght to hold off Zorawar (Shamardal), who threatened him right to the end.

Rebellito is the fifth foal out of Saga d'Or, a sister to champion sprinter Marchand d'Or (Marchand de Sable), who was also inbred on Kenmare, a sire always very popular in French bloodlines that one finds twice in the dam's side of that pedigree. Marchand d'Or wore the same colors than Rebellito, those of the Giral family, who also bred him.

Before this gray colt, Golden Saga gave three winners, and since then, a filly by Tin Horse in training with Stéphane Wattel, nicely named Seccotine.

DJAMBA (F3), FRA by Dalakhani and Darjana (Invincible Spirit)
Prix Amonita (Maiden, 3yo fillies, 1 600m Turf), June 6, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Zahra Aga Khan
Trainer: Alain de Royer Dupré
Breeder: Zahra Aga Khan
Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Favorite for her this fourth attempt, Djamba at first seemed too keen but she was able to position herself close enough to the leaders and accelerate past Snirvana (Elusive Quality) after letting the leading Jedi Princess (Sea the Stars), who couldn't stay for her debut over the mile after being beaten by Terre on a longer trip.

Djamba, on the other hand, has clearly dominated in the end, and dominated more than her length victory over Snirvana would suggest.

Third for her debut behind Terrakova, who won the Prix Cleopatre (Gr3) this year for her second race only and features amongst the favorites of the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1), Djamba then was beaten by Middle East and Bijin, beating Terre in the process however, and was beaten again by Body Sculpt at Chantilly.

Djamba is a daughter of the good Darjana, also bred by Princess Zahra and winner of two races, but also a sister to the champion mare Darjina (Zamindar), winner of a Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Gr1), a Prix d'Astarté (now Prix Rothschild-Gr1) and a Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Gr1), and ran five times second at Gr1 level on the mile ... After Djamba, Darjana gave a filly by Sinndar also in training at Alain de Royer Dupré, and a yearling by Rip Van Winkle.