Morgan Le Faye cruises home in Prix Zarkava

The talented mare Morgan Le Faye won easily despite being dropped sharply in trip for her seasonal debut in the Listed Prix Zarkava over an extended 10 furlongs at Longchamp, France, on Sunday, 7 April.

The five-year-old daughter Shamardal, trained by Andre Fabre and ridden Mickael Barzalona, had finished third in two G1 staying races, the Prix Royal-Oak and the Prix du Cadran, at the end of last year.

She was tucked in last of the 12 runners before moving up to 11th. She was short of room with two furlongs to race, but managed to switch out with another half-furlong.

Morgan Le Faye finished very strongly and took the lead inside the final furlong to win in facile fashion, being eased down in the closing stages. Her time came to 2m 9.21s and she beat Shahnaza by two and a half lengths.

Godolphin’s Lisa-Jane Graffard commented: “She has plenty of speed and really deserved this success, her first since winning a maiden on debut.

“Morgan Le Faye has done very well from four to five and hopefully she can win a Group race now.

“This performance opens up lots of options and she could go for the G3 Prix Allez France over the same course and distance in three weeks’ time.”