Zia Agnese, a three-year-old filly named after a co-owner’s aunt, is set to compete in the prestigious €1,000,000 Group 1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly on June 15. Co-owned by renowned oncologist Gina d’Amato and Italian entrepreneur Richard Marini, Zia Agnese has strong ties to both the U.S. and Italy. The filly is trained by Gianluca Bietolini, who has experience but is still seeking his first Group 1 victory, while jockey Ronan Thomas, a local talent, will ride her.
Bietolini has expressed confidence in Zia Agnese’s preparation, noting her solid workouts leading up to the race. After a rocky start to her career, where she struggled in her first few outings, she found success with Thomas, winning two races in late 2024. Despite a setback in the Tourbillon Stakes, she rebounded with a victory in the Group 3 Prix Cleopatre, positioning her as a contender for the upcoming Prix de Diane.
The Prix de Diane, known as the French Oaks, is a significant event for three-year-old fillies, and Zia Agnese will face tough competition, including Shes Perfect, who was controversially demoted in a recent race. With Thomas’s experience and the filly’s recent form, there is optimism surrounding her chances in this prestigious race.
