THE FILLY…
Zarigana, granddaughter of illustrious champion Zarkava – who was unbeaten in seven appearances, including the Prix de Diane 2008 and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe the same year – is dreaming of following in her ancestor’s hoofprints.
Trained at Chantilly by Francis-Henri Graffard, she is representing, like her ancestor, the prestigious silks of the Aga Khan, who has already notched up several Group 1 victories, the highest level of competition.
THE TRAINER…
Gianluca Bietolini – an Italian trainer originally from Rome, who has been based in Maisons-Laffitte since 2015 – has stars in his eyes when he talks about Zia Agnese: “Having a runner in the Diane, who has been working with her team towards this once-in-a-lifetime challenge, is the ultimate dream!”
In 2019, his other star horse, Grand Glory, clinched an impressive third place in the Diane.
THE JOCKEY…
Hollie Doyle went down in history in 2022 by becoming the first female jockey to win the Prix de Diane Longines, after 170 editions of the race!
Having already won several titles that same year in England, the young British jockey, who is a member of Europe’s flat racing elite (one of the rare mixed sports), dreams of winning again on the Chantilly course.