25 August 2019
Photo scoopdyga.com
Second in the Grand Prix de Chantilly (Gr2) and the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Gr1) behind Coronet, Ziyad (Rock of Gibraltar) finally seized his first Grand Prix Sunday in Deauville. The Wertheimer & Frère homebred has indeed won the Lucien Barrière Grand Prix de Deauville (Gr2), the highlight of the last Summer weekend in Normandy. Ridden by Olivier Pesliern replacing a suspended Maxime Guyon aboard, the 4yo gelding resisted to the only 3-year-old in the race, the filly Soft Light (Authorized). Incidentally, he broke the race record with a time of 1'38''2, nine-tenths of a second better than Masterstroke's record in 2012.
The favourite Nagano Gold (Sixties Icon) finished third with a good run, but the acceleration placed by Ziyad in midstretch left the field baffled.
Villa Rosa (Doctor Dino) finished fourth, several lengths ahead of Master's Spirit (Mastercraftsman), who gave way after being pushed by Ziyad as he veered right once again on his way to victory.
Ziyad finished last season with a few attempts in the staying division, notably when fourth in the Qatar Prix Chaudenay (Gr2) over 3,000 meters at ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend. Back on the classic distance this season, he kept going well and deserved this success.
He is out of Arme Ancienne (Sillery), a Wildenstein-bred sister to classic winner Aquarelliste (Danehill) from a very good family runby the Wildensteins since the early 80s at least. The Wertheimers sold Arme Ancienne for € 36,000 after the birth of Ziyad, and no other foal has been registered since