Prix de Diane Longines – Aga Khan Studs in Pursuit of an Eighth Title in the Prix de Diane Longines
Nemone Routh and Clément Lecoeuvre - Crédit Scoopdyga
Prince Aga Khan IV, who passed away earlier this year, remains the most successful owner in the history of the Prix de Diane Longines, with seven victories. His legacy is now carried forward by his daughter, Princess Zahra Aga Khan. This year, two fillies will run under one of the family’s famous silks. Mandanaba will represent the Princess, while Cankoura will race in the Aga Khan Studs’ colours.
Mandanaba, a fine third in the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, is one of the most prominent contenders in the field. She is out of the Princess’s champion mare Mandesha. Cankoura, for her part, recently landed the Listed Prix Finlande. Both fillies are trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, based in Chantilly and one of the leading French trainers of the season. Graffard already has a Prix de Diane Longines victory to his name, thanks to Channel in 2019.
Quotes from Nemone Routh, Racing Manager for the Aga Khan Studs
Extracts from the press conference organised by France Galop on Wednesday morning.
“The Diane was a race very dear to the Prince. For many years, one of the stable’s key aims each season has been to field runners with genuine chances in this Classic. This year, both family silks will be represented, which is particularly special. The Aga Khan Studs are above all breeders, and having fillies capable of excelling in this race is central to the identity of our colours. These fillies will then return to the stud, where we hope they will go on to produce more top-class horses…”
On Mandanaba
“We hesitated for a long time between the Saint-Alary and the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches. The Poule, being a Classic and a Group 1, was ultimately the preferred choice. Her performance there was very good. We’re not entirely sure she is a true miler. She has speed, but her pedigree suggests she can stay 2,000 metres. The Poule was only her third outing… Mandanaba is a very generous filly. She likes to race up near the pace, which is an advantage at Chantilly when the ground is good. Mandanaba also has a lovely backstory. Her dam, Mandesha, was a champion for Princess Zahra, but did not produce particularly well at stud. She has now retired and is enjoying life with Zarkava and her companions! Mandanaba is her final foal, and the best she’s ever produced. That’s quite rare…”
On Cankoura
“In the Prix des Lilas, she was really unlucky. Mickaël Barzalona didn’t ask too much of her. In the end, she barely ran that day. We wanted to find a race that would give us a clearer picture of her potential. The Prix Finlande fit the bill. She was ridden closer to the pace and kicked early in the straight. We had expected a more striking performance, but she needed the run, as she hadn’t done much work between the Lilas and the Finlande. Also, the ground was a little too soft for her. She’s honest, willing, and we’re hoping for good ground. We believe she still has more to offer. Both Mandanaba and Cankoura have speed and can race prominently, which is a plus at Chantilly in good conditions. Cankoura will be partnered by Clément Lecoeuvre.”
The Aga Khan Studs’ Seven Prix de Diane Longines Victories
Shemaka (1993)
Vereva (1997)
Zainta (1998)
Daryaba (1999)
Zarkava (2008)
Sarafina (2010)
Valyra (2012)