Performance, Elegance, the 175th Prix de Diane Longines

It’s the 175th Prix de Diane Longines, ‘a garden party atmosphere that encourages the best fillies in Europe to compete in the elegance and prestige of Chantilly Racecourse.’

‘Since 1843, the Prix de Diane Longines has brought together exceptional fillies to its staring line in the splendid setting of the Château de Chantilly and magnificent stables of Prince de Condé.’

‘Every year in June this grand prix reserved for 3yo females is essential in the European gallop calendar as it allows the selection of prestigious lines guaranteed for an exceptional career at stud.’

The Prix de Diane Longines ‘brings the champions together with the ability that allows them to start with the dreams of their owners from around the world, and €1 million in prize money.’

With €571,400 for the victor, and contested over 2,100m, it’s the West Sussex based Frenchman David Menuisier who has the Tamfana as the $4 Ladbrokes favourite, again ridden Oisin Murphy.

“I’ve maintained that Tamfana is the best filly that I’ve ever trained, and sometimes I’m right, as she’s exceptional,” said David Menuisier, “as she would be even better once stepped up in trip.”

“The 1000 Guineas at Newmarket was an objective in itself, and a stepping stone to the Diane Longines as I didn’t expect her to show so much speed with such ease over 1,600m on fast track.”

Yes, in bring a luckless fourth at Newmarket when Jamie Spencer was unjustly criticised, Tamfana was earlier third in the Prix Imprudence having won twice at two years including the Prix Miesque.

In jumping from Barrier 4 of 14 fillies and in the white and green Cross of Lorraine silks, she was €20,000 2022 BBAG September Yearling Sale sired by the German champion sire Soldier Hollow.

Bred in Germany by Gestut Etzean, and the family of Beverley D Stakes winner Sea Calisi, it was David Menuisier who stated “as far as the Diane is concerned, I think Tamfana will hold her own.”

“She was born to race at Auteuil or Cheltenham rather than Chantilly, and drawing comparisons like Zarkava she can travel very easily during the race, before unleashing a lethal turn of foot.”

With this 175th Prix de Diane Longines having three Godolphin Flying Start training graduate in the its Francis-Henri Graffard who has Candala at $6 with Chris Hayes from Gate 12 for HH Aga Khan.

“Candal is in-different to the state of the ground and she will run well,” said Francis Graffard “we have re-discovered the filly we know and love and are very happy with her” being sired by Frankel.

Paraiba is at $34 for Franes Graffard and Tom Marquard “as we’ve always rated her, but earlier in the season her preparation has been hindered by wet weather, as she’s a top of the ground filly.”

“I wanted to run her at Longchamp, and it was a case of déjà vu all over again as we’ve got the work into her early and she’s ready, but if the ground is soft, we won’t run, but she has the right.”

Chantilly based Laura Vanska and Tim Donworth are also Godolphin Flying Start graduates, with the Finnish national Laura Vanska having Birthe $11 in the hands of Aurelien Lemaitre in 9.

With Birthe being a last-start Group 2 winner from Mme Vanska’ 10 horse stable, its Tim Donworth with the $41 race outsider L’Equilibrastie for Hollie Doyle from 5, last winning at Longchamp.

As Chantilly and France Galop aways being proud of their Soft going and the Diane Longines turf track cut to 11mm, it was “the penetrometer scale that measured 3.4 on the Thursday morning.”

“We’ve had 5,7 mm of rainfall,” said Marin Le Cour Grandmaison, overseer of Chantilly tracks “which has taken the form of thunderstorms and showers and the night-time temperatures are cold.”

“Given these conditions the soil remains cool and retains moisture as we watered 4mm on Tuesday, putting up to 6mm of in some areas to ensure that the cushion in the ground is spread evenly.”