Royal Influence

ROYAL INFLUENCE 
As with many of the contests staged on this historic weekend, His Highness The Aga Khan’s presence is keenly felt and between the esteemed owner-breeder and trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre, they hold the record of six successes in today’s G2 Qatar Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp. Aptly, their main representative this year is a half-sister to the brilliant 2008 Arc heroine Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar), Zarshana (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who is on a three-timer after wins in the Listed Prix de Thiberville here July 13 and G3 Prix Minerve at Deauville Aug. 17. Prior to those scores, the homebred was third behind the re-opposing Savanne (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}) in the G3 Prix de Royaumont at Chantilly at the beginning of June, and that Gestut Ammerland homebred is one of two from Andre Fabre’s stable alongside Kirsten Rausing’s All At Sea (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}). She comes here on the back of a win in the Listed Prix de Liancourt over 10 1/2 furlongs at this venue at the start of September, but on a strict formline from that contest has it to do to live with Anne-Marie Hayes’ impressive Sept. 15 Listed Prix Joubert winner Mayhem (Ire) (Whipper).