Gezora Dazzles in the Prix de Diane, Books Her Ticket to the Arc

Guided by Soumillon, the daughter of Almanzor edged out Bedtime Story in a finish to remember. Graffard's performance was extraordinary, landing 3 of his 4 runners in the frame

Soumillon celebrates his third Prix de Diane victory, this time aboard Gezora / FRANCE GALLOP

CHANTILLY, Francia (Special for Turf Diario).- With a sensational late charge down the outside and in a finish to remember, Gezora soared to glory in Sunday’s G1 Prix de Diane Longines, the premier race for 3-year-old fillies, which in 2025 became part of the Arc Races circuit offering a direct berth into the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Trained at Chantilly by Francis-Henri Graffard, the daughter of Almanzor etched a historic milestone for her conditioner, who saddled three of the top four finishers.

Gezora surged past Irish raider Bedtime Story (Frankel) to win by a length, while stablemates Cankoura (Frankel) and Mandanaba (Dubawi) completed a high-class 1-3-4 for Team Graffard. The 2100-meter contest was completed in 2:06.57 over good ground, after early fractions set a testing tone from the start.

Owned by Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm, the grey filly was coming off a victory in the G2 Prix Saint-Alary and confirmed all the promise she had shown as a juvenile. She was given a cool and confident ride by Christophe Soumillon, who celebrated his third win in the Diane after successes aboard Latice (Inchinor, 2004) and the unforgettable Zarkava (Zamindar, 2008).

“It’s a hugely emotional day,” said Graffard, joined by his father, who once dreamed of seeing his son become a Formula 1 driver. “Gezora came into the race in top shape, and she proved it. The Saint-Alary really brought her forward. I was never sure where her ceiling was, and today she showed she’s a very special filly. Now with the Wild Card for the Arc, everything is on the table—especially since we know she thrives on soft ground.”

For Brant, the win tasted like redemption after Sistercharlie (Myboycharlie) finished second in this same race in 2017. “When Michel Zerolo told me about this filly, I didn’t hesitate,” Brant said. “She hails from a fabulous Niarchos family and had already flashed talent. She’ll continue her campaign in France.”

Bred by Haras d’Etreham, home of champions like Urban Sea, Maximova, Septieme Ciel, and Almanzor himself, Gezora gave the famed Normandy nursery its first Prix de Diane heroine since Montenica (Djebel) in 1947.

Soumillon, beaming, recalled: “She didn’t break that sharply and I was a little boxed in entering the stretch. But once I saw daylight and asked her, she really quickened. These are the kind of horses that respond the moment you call on them. It’s such a pleasure to ride for outfits like this in races of this stature.”

Aidan O’Brien, trainer of runner-up Bedtime Story, commented: “We’re delighted. She showed her true ability today, and this effort opens up several exciting possibilities moving forward.”

With this victory, Gezora now has a clear path to dream big toward October 5 and the Arc at ParisLongchamp—and her story is already being written among the greats of Europe.