By Sean Cronin
Last term's G3 Prix Vanteaux victrix Mandanaba (Ghaiyyath) was last seen finishing unplaced in August's G1 Prix Rothschild and made a winning seasonal return with a narrow verdict in Thursday's Listed Prix Maurice Zilber at ParisLongchamp.
The TDN Rising Star, who also ran third in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and fourth in the G1 Prix de Diane, was positioned in fifth through the early fractions. Inching closer in the straight, she quickened to the fore with 300 metres remaining and was ridden out to hold the late surge of Godspeed (Hello Youmzain) by a short-neck.
Pedigree Notes
Mandanaba is the latest of 11 live foals and one of five winners out of multiple Group 1-winning European champion Mandesha (Desert Style), herself a half-sister to Listed Prix de la Porte de Madrid third Mandali (Sinndar). The winner is a half-sister to the stakes-winning G1 Prix d'Ispahan third Mandour (Smart Strike).
Back with a bang!
Mandanaba – who was third in last year's French 1000 Guineas – takes Listed honours on her reappearance in the Prix Maurice Zilber…@GraffardRacing @AgaKhanStuds pic.twitter.com/5vGLn7n8em
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 23, 2026
Thursday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX MAURICE ZILBER-Listed, €43,900, ParisLongchamo, 4-23, 4yo/up, f/m, 7fT, 1:20.21, g/s.
1–MANDANABA (FR), 123, f, 4, Ghaiyyath (Ire)–Mandesha (Fr) (MG1SW-Fr & G1SP-Eng, by Desert Style (Ire). TDN Rising Star. O/B-Princess Zahra Aga Khan; T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Mickael Barzalona. €21,950. Lifetime Record: GSW & G1SP-Fr, 6-3-0-1, €196,915. *1/2 to Mandour (Smart Strike), SW-Eng & G1SP-Fr.
2–Godspeed (Fr), 123, f, 4, Hello Youmzain (Fr)–Mary's Precedent (Fr), by Storming Home (GB). O-Peter R Bradley III, F&O Hinderze Racing & Ecurie JML Racing; B-Ecurie Haras du Cadran, Ecurie Melanie & Stephane Gilibert; T-Carlos & Yann Lerner. €8,780.
3–Breckenbrough (GB), 123, f, 4, Kingman (GB)–Life Of Pi (GB), by Sea The Stars (Ire). (130,000gns 2yo '24 TATMAY). O-Michael Blencowe; B-Coverdale Stud; T-Mario Baratti. €6,585.
Margins: SNK, 2, 3/4. Odds: 0.90, 2.30, 5.80.
Also Ran: Canneza (GB), Zawan (Fr), Queen's Reign (GB), Riassou (Fr).
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