The Darley stallions have enjoyed a hugely successful weekend, siring G1 winners in Australia (Skilled, by Commands) and Hong Kong (Able One, by Cape Cross) and their winning ways continued into the latest round of Classic trials in France when Godolphin runners Anna Salai and Simon de Montfort were victorious in the G3 Prix de la Grotte and G3 Prix la Force respectively.
Dubawi's magnificent run of success continued when Anna Salai, making her three-year-old debut, swept home to land the one-mile Prix de la Grotte. Settled towards the rear, the three-year-old filly looked to have plenty to do with a furlong and a half left to run but given a fantastic ride by Maxime Guyon, accelerated impressively to record a length-and-a-half victory.
Dubawi is already sire this year of Italian 2,000 Guineas winner Worthaad, plus unbeaten colt Makfi who won the G3 Prix Djebel last time out.
The next race on the Longchamp card saw the colts line up in an attempt to secure their places in the French Derby on 6 June and King's Best’s son Simon de Montfort could not have been more impressive when notching his second Stakes win of the year. Like Anna Salai, he was settled at the rear of the field and despite lacking some room entering the home straight showed a great turn of foot and flew past his rivals to win.
Like Dubawi, King's Best has been enjoying an outstanding year so far, siring Godolphin Mile winner Calming Influence and close third in the Dubai World Cup Allybar. Just last weekend, his Stakes-winning three-year-old son Eishin Flash finished third in the Japanese 2,000 Guineas.
Meanwhile at Krefeld in Germany, Mario Hofer's G1-placed Shamardal colt Zazou ran out the easy winner of the G3 Dr Busch Memorial and will now head for the French Guineas, followed by a possible tilt at the Prix du Jockey Club.
This was the third victory for Zazou, who has never finished out of the first four in six starts, including a third place behind Passion For Gold (by Darley America stallion Medaglia d'Oro) in the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud.
