Prix de Diane Longines 2025 – After this morning's grass gallop at Maisons-Laffitte, trainer Gianluca Bietolini talks about his filly Zia Agnese

Sunday, June 15, will see the running of the Prix de Diane Longines (Group 1) in Chantilly, the most prestigious French race for three-year-old fillies.

Among the contenders for the crown is Zia Agnese, trained in Maisons-Laffitte by the Italian-born trainer Gianluca Bietolini. On Wednesday, Zia Agnese completed her final serious workout ahead of race day, partnered with Ronan Thomas, who will also be her jockey in ten days’ time. An experienced rider, Thomas won last year’s Qatar Prix du Jockey Club, and he guided Zia Agnese to victory on April 18 in the Prix Cléopâtre, one of the key prep races for the Prix de Diane Longines.

Gianluca Bietolini commented: “She had already done a solid piece of work at the Maisons-Laffitte racecourse on May 24. This time, she went over 1,800 meters with a pacemaker and another horse accompanying her in the home straight. I’m very pleased with what I saw and, more importantly, her jockey Ronan Thomas was genuinely happy with her as well. Now all we have to do is keep her in the same condition until the big day—and hope for a bit of luck in the race...”

Originally from Italy, Gianluca Bietolini settled in France in 2014. In 2019, the outstanding Grand Glory already earned him a third-place finish in the Prix de Diane Longines.

Zia Agnese is co-owned by Gina d’Amato and Richard Marini. Gina d’Amato lives in Florida, where she is a renowned oncologist. She is the daughter of John d’Amato, a longtime racehorse owner. He was one of the co-owners of Grand Glory and has been a significant supporter of Gianluca Bietolini. The filly’s name—Zia Agnese, which means “Aunt Agnes” in Italian—is a tribute to John d’Amato’s sister, affectionately known as Zia Agnese within the family. Richard Marini, originally from Italy and also now based in Florida, is a landscape entrepreneur.