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Sicilian Defense, a daughter of our Kentucky-based mare Manasarova, added to her impressive black-type haul on Thursday when pouncing late to take the Listed Prix Maurice Zilber at Longchamp.

Sicilian Defense was a smart filly last season when her performances included a win in the Listed Prix Amandine at Deauville following a sneakily good seventh behind Mangoustine (out of Blue Diamond’s Zotilla) in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, achieved despite meeting trouble in running.

Sicilian Defense was impressive on Sunday, cruising up behind the leader before quickening past under Gregory Benoist for a decisive score.

“She’s always there for you,” trainer Yann Barberot said. “She hated the ground last time and wasn’t fully fit. Seven is her trip, so there are plenty of opportunities and most probably she will come back for the [G3] Prix de la Porte Maillot over this course and distance next month.”

The daughter of Muhaarar was bred by Haras de Saint Pair out of Manasarova, who joined Blue Diamond when purchased at the 2019 Arqana December Sale; remarkably, she was bought on the same day as Zotilla.

Manasarova showed smart form in a brief career for Fabrice Chappet, winning at Deauville as a two-year-old and running a narrow second in the Listed Prix Ronde de Nuit at three. By More Than Ready, she is out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Manaahil and from the further family of Shadwell’s top American turf runner Shaakis.

Sicilian Defense is her second foal and followed by Ribal, who is in training with Andrew Balding. She also has a two-year-old filly by Zoustar in training with Andre Fabre, a yearling filly by Kitten’s Joy and is in foal to Not This Time.