Darjina showed her heels to some of the best male milers in Europe with an impressive two-length victory in the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Fr-I) Sept. 9.
The Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained 3-year-old was making her first start against colts after having captured the Prix d’ Astarte (Fr-I) and Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Fr-I) against fillies earlier this season.
The field for the Moulin was loaded with talent, headlined by Godolphin’s dual group I winner Ramonti, and 2006 Queen Elizabeth II (Eng-I) victor George Washington. Aidan O’Brien also had Poule d’Essai des Poulains (Fr-I) victor Astronomer Royal in the lineup, along with group II winner Archipenko.
Jockey Christophe Soumillon kept Darjina up near the pace, tracking leaders Archipenko and Ramonti. Frankie Dettori moved Ramonti to the front with two furlongs left, and it appeared that he was going to draw off. Darjina was in high gear, however, and the daughter of Zamindar exploded in the stretch to win comfortably by two lengths.
George Washington, who was held up toward the back of the pack for most of the race, closed with a rush to grab third, just one length behind Ramonti. Time for the mile was 1:36.8 over a course rated good.
Darjina will now more than likely take on her own sex again in the either the Prix de l’Opera (Fr-I) or the Sun Chariot Stakes (Eng-I).
Darjina, who is out of the Zilzal mare, Darinska, is owned by Princess Zahra Aga Khan. The Princess, who celebrated her birthday Sept. 8, only has eight horses in training, but two of those are Darjina and the champion Mandesha. The fillies have now captured six group I races between them.