ENGLISH VERSION
Seven victories in less than twenty years for the Aga Khan The most successful colours in the Prix de Diane are those of Prince Karim Aga Khan, who won the race seven times between 1993 and 2012. Achieving seven victories in fewer than twenty years is no small feat. They range from Shémaka’ s success in 1993 to Valyra’ s in 2012, via Véréva in 1997, Zainta in 1998, Daryaba in 1999, Zarkava in 2008 and Sarafina in 2010. In the trainers’ column, Alain de Royer-Dupré was responsible for these victories, with the sole exception of Valyra, who was prepared by Jean- Claude Rouget. It is worth noting that Daryaba, who won under Gérald Mossé, as had Shémaka, Véréva and Zainta, is, in a strikingly topical development, the granddam of a certain Daryz.
Wildenstein Stables, another major force on the roll of honour The green jacket with red epaulettes and green cap thus won three consecutive Prix de Diane between 1997 and 1999, courtesy of Véréva, Zainta and Daryaba. Back in the 1970s, Daniel Wildenstein had come close to matching this achievement through his champions Allez France, Pawneese and Madélia, winning the race three times in four years, in 1973, 1976 and 1977. Wildenstein Stables are likewise among the most successful names in the history of the Prix de Diane, thanks to two additional victories secured by
Aquarelliste in 2001 and Bright Sky in 2002.
Pawneese’ s remarkable feat In 1976, Pawneese achieved a genuine exploit by winning the Prix de Diane only nine days after capturing its British equivalent, the Epsom Oaks. She made all the running in effortless style, defeating Riverqueen, winner of both the Poule d’ Essai des Pouliches and the Prix Saint- Alary. The following month, Pawneese continued her winning streak by defeating her elders in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, while Riverqueen did exactly the same in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. What a pair those two made!
Madélia, Penna’ s unbeaten champion In 1977, Madélia managed to deny Trillion by a head in a Prix de Diane that saw her remain unbeaten after four starts since mid-April. In less than two months, under the care of the Argentine-born trainer based in France, Angel Penna, and ridden by crack jockey Yves Saint-Martin, then Daniel Wildenstein’ s retained rider, she recorded four victories, including three Group 1 triumphs: the Poule d’ Essai des Pouliches, the Prix Saint-Alary and the Prix de Diane.
Madélia would never race again. She was by Caro, just like Crystal Palace, who had broken the Rothschild stable’ s long-standing curse in the
Prix du Jockey Club eight days earlier. Alec Weisweiller and“ The Queen”: the same elegance in defeat and victory The 1970s were truly rich in emotion in the Prix de Diane. In 1971, Pistol Packer, carrying the colours of Mme Alec Head, defeated her principal rival Cambrizzia by the shortest of noses. Many observers believed Cambrizzia had won and, before the photo-finish had been developed, began congratulating her owner Alec Weisweiller. His joy was short-lived, but, displaying admirable sportsmanship, he later warmly congratulated the entourage of the victorious rival. In 1974, victory went to the Royal colours of England, blue jacket with frogging, cherry sleeves and black cap, through Highclere, ridden in blinkers by Joe Mercer. Queen Elizabeth II was present at Chantilly and able to savour the occasion. She donated the prize money to French racing charities.
Rescousse: Yves Saint- Martin against instructions Alongside Spreoty and Charles Pratt in the nineteenth century, and Gérald Mossé in the modern era, Yves Saint-Martin is the joint-record holder for victories in the Prix de Diane, having won it five times. One of those victories came aboard Rescousse in 1972, carrying the colours of Baron de Rédé. He led from start to finish, or almost. Yet his instructions, issued by Geoff Watson, the experienced
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