Za za zoom: Nonza shines light on little-known sire Zanzibari with Group 1 win

Nonza provided her obscure sire Zanzibari with a first top-level success when coming with a late flourish to defeat favourite Urban Fox in the Group 1 Darley Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville on Sunday.

Trained by Henri Devin and bred and owned by his wife Antonia, who initially stood Zanzibari at her Haras du Mesnil before he relocated to Haras de Grandcamp, Nonza has been the standout performer for the stallion, completing a superb four-timer by stepping up from Listed level to score in the highest grade in the 1m2f contest.

Coincidentally Zanzibari’s final appearance on the track came at the equivalent meeting in 2009 when he finished last of five behind Arcano in the Prix Morny for trainer Andre Fabre and Godolphin. He remained in training at three but failed to race, retiring to stud in 2010.

The son of Smart Strike, who is out of the Group 2-winning mare Zinziberine and bred by Fabre’s wife Elizabeth, won two of his four races, the highlight being the Group 3 Prix du Cabourg.

Deauville results and analysis

Nonza is the second foal out of the unplaced Kaldounevees mare Terra Alta, a sister to the Group 1-winner Terre A Terre and the stakes placed Kachgai, who all raced in the colours of Antonia Devin.

The 11-year-old Zanzibari has been represented by few runner on the track, the best aside from Nonza being Joyful Trinity, who landed the 2015 Group 3 Prix de Porte Maillot for Fabre before being sold to Hong Kong.

While Zanzibari was gaining a breakthrough success at Group 1 level, Oasis Dream banked a 17th individual winner in the grade when Pretty Pollyanna battled to success from fellow filly Signora Cabello in the Darley Prix Morny.

Pretty Pollyanna and Silvestre de Sousa win the Prix MornyCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Trained by Michael Bell for owners Bill and Tim Gredley, who bred the juvenile at their Stetchworth & Middle Park Studs near Newmarket, Pretty Pollyanna was bought back at last year’s Tattersalls Book 1 Yearling Sale for 50,000 guineas.

Her dam, the unraced Shamardal mare Unex Mona Lisa, has produced two other winners from two foals to race and is from the family of Bill Gredley’s Oaks, Yorkshire Oaks and St Leger winner User Friendly.