Stakes breakthrough for Frankel filly Zayida

Francis-Henri Graffard’s regally-bred daughter of Frankel, Zayida, promoted her potential Classic claims yesterday afternoon when securing a maiden Stakes success in the nine-furlong Listed Prix Finlande at Chantilly for owner/breeder the Aga Khan Studs.

Taken from the European Bloodstock News, 20th May 2026:

Partnered to victory by Mickael Barzalona, Zayida disputed third for much of the early stages, before taking closer order to track the pace-setting Turbulente as they made the turn for home. Still travelling well in the rain-sodden conditions, Zayida cruised to the head of affairs with 300 metres to run and, once asked to quicken by Barzalona, put the race to bed in a matter of strides in striking fashion to win going away by five lengths.

Satoshi Kobayashi’s Land Of Liberty ran on for second, having experienced slight traffic problems in the straight, while Lethal Beauty stayed on for a never-nearer third, a further three and a half lengths adrift.

A winner on her second start as a juvenile last season, Zayida made her return this term in the Gr.3 Prix Vanteaux, where she finished fourth behind the subsequent Gr.2 Prix Saint-Alary runner-up Concorde Agreement, shaping as if in need of the run. Three weeks later, she quickly made amends winning a conditions event over yesterday’s course and distance.

Always held in high regard, Zayida could take her chance in next month’s Gr.1 Prix de Diane, in which connections also have the recent Listed Prix de Lilas winner Edaja and the Listed Prix de la Reine winner Behrayna. Zayida hails from an esteemed Aga Khan-bred family. She is a
half-sister to the Listed Prix Lyphard winner Zaydann,  out of the Listed Prix Charles Laffitte victrix Zaykava. The second dam is the champion and multiple Gr.1 heroine Zarkava (Zamindar), dam of the Gr.1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud-winning sire Zarak and the Listed Prix Thiberville
winner Zarkamiya (Frankel; dam of the Gr.1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner Zarigana).