Tamfana Set to Challenge 13 Rivals in Prix de Diane at Chantilly
David Menuisier's Filly Aims for Redemption and a First French Classic Win After Newmarket Disappointment
Tamfana will compete against 13 other horses in an attempt to secure David Menuisier his first French Classic victory in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly on Sunday. The Soldier Hollow filly aims to redeem herself after a troubled run in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month, where despite a blocked path, she managed to finish fourth, just a length behind the winner, Elmalka.
Jamie Spencer rode her in her first Group 1 race, but Oisin Murphy will take the reins this time on the 11-4 favorite, marking his second attempt in the French Oaks after a last-place finish on Running Lion a year ago.
Tamfana will be racing an extended mile and two furlongs for the first time, though she is familiar with the Chantilly course, having won the Group 3 Prix Miesque there as a juvenile.
Her main competitor is Dance Sequence, trained by Charlie Appleby. Although Dance Sequence finished behind Tamfana in the 1,000 Guineas, she showed significant improvement with a second-place finish in the Oaks at Epsom in late May. Dance Sequence aims to bring her connections their first Prix de Diane win, following Godolphin's second-place finish with Philomene in 2021, trained by Andre Fabre.
Candala, leading the home team, is one of two entries for Francis Graffard, who won the Prix de Diane with Channel in 2019. Chris Hayes, an Oaks-winning jockey, will ride Candala as they strive to extend the Aga Khan's record to eight wins in this race. Tom Marquand will ride the other Graffard-trained horse, Paraiba.
Hollie Doyle will be riding L'Equilibriste, previously trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam and now running for Tim Donworth. Other French fillies in the race include Prix Saint-Alary winner Birthe, Group 3 winner Aventure, and Gala Real, stepping up to Group 1 competition after two Listed wins this season.
Prix de Diane Runners and Riders:
- Candala - Chris Hayes
- Paraiba - Tom Marquand
- Survie - Stephane Pasquier
- Sparkling Plenty - Tony Piccone
- Dance Sequence - William Buick
- Rock'N Swing - Mickael Barzalona
- L'Equilibriste - Hollie Doyle
- Birthe - Aurelien Lemaitre
- Dare To Dream - Alexis Pouchin
- Tamfana - Oisin Murphy
- Gala Real - Christophe Soumillon
- Bubble Gum - Gerald Mosse
- Aventure - Maxime Guyon
- Halfday - Augustin Madamet
Last Time Out Form - Prix de Diane at Chantilly Runners
| Horse | Jockey | Recent Form |
|---|---|---|
| Candala | Chris Hayes | 3rd - Prix Saint-Alary (G1) |
| Paraiba | Tom Marquand | 2nd - Prix Cleopatre (G3) |
| Survie | Stephane Pasquier | 1st - Listed Race |
| Sparkling Plenty | Tony Piccone | 4th - Prix Vanteaux (G3) |
| Dance Sequence | William Buick | 2nd - The Oaks (G1), 6th - 1,000 Guineas (G1) |
| Rock'N Swing | Mickael Barzalona | 1st - Prix de la Grotte (G3) |
| L'Equilibriste | Hollie Doyle | 5th - Prix Finlande (Listed) |
| Birthe | Aurelien Lemaitre | 1st - Prix Saint-Alary (G1) |
| Dare To Dream | Alexis Pouchin | 3rd - Prix de Royaumont (G3) |
| Tamfana | Oisin Murphy | 4th - 1,000 Guineas (G1) |
| Gala Real | Christophe Soumillon | 1st - Listed Race |
| Bubble Gum | Gerald Mosse | 2nd - Prix de Sandringham (G2) |
| Aventure | Maxime Guyon | 1st - Prix Imprudence (G3) |
| Halfday | Augustin Madamet | 3rd - Prix du Lys (G3) |