Darjina bounces back

Darjina made amends for her defeat at Royal Ascot with a battling display in the Prix D’Astarte at Deauville.

Winner of the French 1000 Guineas earlier in the season, beating Finsceal Beo in the process, Alain de Royer-Dupre’s filly was collecting her second Group One of the season.

Ridden by Thierry Thulliez in the absence of the suspended Christophe Soumillon, she was never far from the pace set by Prix de Sandringham winner All Is Vanity.

Kieren Fallon had Falmouth Stakes winner Simply Perfect in an ideal position but Darjina quickly swept into a lead with two furlongs to run.

Fallon set off in pursuit but could never quite get back on terms, with Missvinski emerging from the pack as a real threat.

But Darjina showed real guts to hold off all challengers to give owner Princess Zahra Aga Khan yet another big win.

Simply Perfect stuck on well for third, with David Elsworth’s Barshiba running a stormer in fourth. The disappointment of the race was German challenger Mi Emma who was soon beaten.