Breeders' Cup heroine supplies an impressive winner with first foal

Zagora, the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf heroine of 2012 got off the mark as a broodmare on Wednesday as her first foal, Oshayger, ran out an easy three length winner at Deauville.

The three-year-old son of Frankel made his debut for owner-breeder Al Shaqab and trainer Andre Fabre in April, where he was third behind subsequent stakes performer Ratiocination. On his second start he had the misfortune of encountering the Siyouni colt Empire Of The Star, going down by just a neck to the German 2,000 Guineas third.

Jockey Maxime Guyon elected to keep things simple on Wednesday afternoon, for what was his third start, sending the even money favourite to the lead early in the race. The chestnut colt, who has inherited his father's expansive action, never looked like being headed, pulling clear in the straight to win eased down. His victory makes him the 32nd three-year-old winner for his Banstead Manor-based sire.

Oshayger's dam, Zagora, started her career in France winning two contests at a mile as a juvenile. The daughter of Poule d'essai Des Poulains winner Green Tune then won a Group 3 at Longchamp before an admirable fifth on soft ground in the Prix de Diane.

Back on a firmer surface she recorded a win and a half-length third in a pair of Group 3’s before a foray to Keeneland in the October of her three-year-old season. She finished second in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Stakes and was then switched to the stable of Chad Brown for her four and five-year-old campaigns.

Racing exclusively in Graded company, she was unplaced twice in thirteen starts for the US trainer. She won six of these races including the Grade 1 Diana Stakes and the aforementioned Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

On her retirement from racing Zagora was sent to the Fasig-Tipton November Mixed Sale where she was bought by Mandore International Agency for $2.5 million.

Unfortunately Zagora does not have a two-year-old to represent her but she does have a yearling filly by Toronado.