Royaumont: Baiykara finds her way

June 5, 2022, Chantilly Racecourse (Oise). – With her 5 draw over 1m4f riding a maiden 3-year-old filly, Belgian rider Christophe Soumillon could have settled for a quiet trip at the rear of the Prix de Royaumont (Gr3)'s 7 3-year-old fillies field. However, so was the Aga Khan's rider's confidence in her filly that he elected to drive Baiykara (Zarak) outside the pack while Style Beauty (Style Vendôme) was taking the lead with the André Fabre-trained favourite Hidden Dimples (Frankel) at her side. In the last straight, Baiykara went away unchallenged and her stamina got her out of reach for the other runner saddled by Fabre, Manisha (Lope de Vega), who tried hard one furlong out but had to settle for second place, beating a closing Duchess of Dubai (Sea the Stars) by half a length.

It was Baiykara's first trial over 1m4f after az 3rd place at Longchamp over 10.5 furlongs, behind two fillies who got beat since, and a second place in May over 1m2f at Chantilly behind the well-regarded La Gloire.

Balankiyla (Montjeu), the winner's dam, was sold for €36,000, in foal to New Bay, last December in Deauville. She's a sister to the good Bayrir (Medicean), who only gave two winners previously, out of 6 foals of racing age. She also gave a Bated Breath yearling colt.