Darjina Bounces Back

Darjina made amends for her defeat at Royal Ascot with a battling display in the Prix D'Astarte at Deauville.

Winner of the French 1000 Guineas earlier in the season, beating Finsceal Beo in the process, Alain de Royer-Dupre's filly was collecting her second Group One of the season.

Ridden by Thierry Thulliez in the absence of the suspended Christophe Soumillon, she was never far from the pace set by Prix de Sandringham winner All Is Vanity.

Kieren Fallon had Falmouth Stakes winner Simply Perfect in an ideal position but Darjina quickly swept into a lead with two furlongs to run.

Fallon set off in pursuit but could never quite get back on terms, with Missvinski emerging from the pack as a real threat.

But Darjina showed real guts to hold off all challengers to give owner Princess Zahra Aga Khan yet another big win.

Simply Perfect stuck on well for third, with David Elsworth's Barshiba running a stormer in fourth. The disappointment of the race was German challenger Mi Emma who was soon beaten.

Winning rider Thulliez praised the absent Soumillon afterwards.

He said: 'Christophe helped me with this win. I spoke to him and he told me she's a filly you always have to believe in.

'She showed courage and tremendous class to repel Missvinski.'

Royer-Dupre, who 12 months earlier trained Darjina's stablemate Mandesha to win the race, added: 'I'd really like to thank Christophe because he played a part in this victory.

'He's part of the team and explained to Thierry what Darjina's like to ride. She's courageous but perhaps was a little fresh today.

'The thing with her is she hates working at home on soft ground, so perhaps she'll be a little readier next time.'

As for her immediate future, he reflected: 'Her programme will be dictated by the ground. I think she could be stepped up in trip, so there are races like the Opera and she's also entered up in England.'

(C) PA Sport