Wednesday 6 April 2022
Hopes are high for the first three-year-olds by ZARAK, who was the leading first season sire in France in 2021. The son of Dubawi and ZARKAVA enjoyed a double at Saint-Cloud on Tuesday when Sabio Cen and La Parisienne scored in the respective colts’ and fillies’ Class 1 Conditions races. Both have Classic entries and both are unbeaten in two starts, having won by five lengths apiece on debut last season.
Sabio Cen, a Yeguada Centurion homebred now trained by Christopher Head, won the Prix Tourbillon by two lengths under a hands and heels ride. The colt is out of DARMA, a half-sister to Gr.1 Prix du Jockey Club winner Darsi, and is a half-brother to Listed winner Dariyma and Stakes-placed Deremah (who recently herself foaled a ZARAK filly). Bred by the Aga Khan Studs, DARMA was sold carrying this colt in utero at the Arqana December Sale in 2018.
Sabio Cen is entered in the Prix du Jockey Club. Head commented: “Sabio Cen ran very well, especially as it was a comeback. I think he will come on for this race… He is a colt with great action. I'm really happy with the result.”
La Parisienne raced keenly in the Prix Durban, but settled to win well by a comfortable two and a half lengths. Kentucky-based Peter Bradley acquired a 70% share earlier this year in the filly, who he owns in partnership with Marc Leonetti, Ecurie JML Racing and Meridian International. She was bred by Haras du Cadran, Patrick Klein and Haras du Ma, and sold at the Arqana Select Yearling Sale in 2020 for €65,000.
La Parisienne is headed to the Prix de Diane. Trained by Carlos and Yann Lerner, the former said after the race: “La Parisienne had a very good comeback. She confirmed this afternoon what she shows us in the morning. She is easy, forward and has a lot of class. She is very good. The Gr.3 Prix Cléopâtre might be her next target.”