Zaykava, the fourth foal out of outstanding mare Zarkava to hit the racetrack, made a winning start to her career when she struck at Compiegne on Wednesday.
The three-year-old was unraced as a juvenile but stayed on well in the 1m2f contest to win by two and a half lengths.
Trainer Alain Royer-Dupre said: “She is very elegant, very racy and walks well. She had a minor problem that prevented her from running before but she has ability. Nearly all the mare’s offspring can run: the filly by Frankel [Zarkaymiya], there’s Zarak… it’s formidable.
“Often the exceptional champions like her don’t produce so well. We’ll aim at earning her some black type and she takes after Siyouni [Zaykava’s sire] in that she has an adorable character and is very easy, very calm. I would say 2,000 metres [a mile and a quarter] is her limit.”
BHA decision on Leicester’s meeting next week to be made on Friday
A decision on whether Leicester’s meeting next Tuesday will go ahead will be made on Friday after the city was placed in lockdown due to a spike in coronavirus cases.
This week’s Leicester meeting was staged after local health officials and the BHA cleared it to go ahead.
In a statement, the British Horseracing Authority said: “Yesterday’s meeting was held with the approval of the local authority and Public Health England under the strict protocols agreed before sport’s resumption behind closed doors.
“The lockdown effectively reinstated restrictions as they were on June 14, in the view of local officials, when racing was permitted in accordance with UK government guidelines.
“Given local lockdown measures may still be evolving, it’s important that dialogue continues ahead of any future events in Leicester. Our industry colleagues will be briefed on this dialogue and will consider any potential impacts on racing. Our focus continues to be on making sure racing behind closed doors takes place as safely as possible.”
