Zarigana

2022 b. f. Siyouni - Zarkamiya (Frankel)

Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard

Zarigana is a high-class daughter of Siyouni out of Gr.3 winner and Gr.1 placed Zarkamiya, making her a grandaughter of the unbeaten Champion Zarkava.

This blue-blooded filly made a highly promising start with a four length-victory in the Prix de la Butte Blanche at Chantilly in July. She confirmed her potential on her second outing and first attempt at Stakes level with an impressive three length victory at ParisLongchamp.

Her trainer Francis-Henri Graffard said on this occastion: “I loved how she travelled on that [soft] ground and, when Mickael [Barzalona] switched her out, she did it all on her own. It was really nice to watch, she is a lovely looking filly with a great temperament and the only question is would she have another gear if asked for more. She is all class and, hopefully, we will have a nice Classic prospect for next year.”

Zarigana was sent in the footsteps of her illustrious granddam with an engagement in the Gr.1 Prix Marcel Boussac. She breezed into the lead two furlongs from home, keeping on well, only to be denied victory by a nose to stablemate Vertical Blue.

It was a successful start to 2025 for Zarigana, who won her Classic trial, the Gr.3 Prix de la Grotte, in April.

The Gr.1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches proved to be a dramatic and eventful race, with Zarigana finishing second by a nose after being carried wide in the final stages. Despite this interference, she produced a remarkable turn of foot, completing the final three furlongs in 32.50 seconds and recording the fastest final 200 metres in 11.31 seconds. 

Following a stewards’ inquiry, Zarigana was promoted to first place, securing victory in the 2025 edition of the French 1000 Guineas. Her trainer, Francis-Henri Graffard, commented: “Obviously, it was a tough few minutes and we don’t like to win like this […] I am very happy for this filly, there was a lot of expectation and she deserved a win like that.” 

In winning the Classic, she became the 100^th individual Group 1 winner for the Aga Khan Studs since 1960.

At Royal Ascot, Zarigana finished second in the Gr.1 Coronation Stakes, and then came back home to the farm for a break. This speedy filly returned to racing on Arc day, finishing second in the Gr.1 Prix de la Fôret on very soft ground, dropping down to seven furlongs for the first time since her debut.