Treve shocks French Oaks field at Chantilly

Treve was a most impressive winner of the Prix de Diane at Chantilly for Criquette Head-Maarek.

The unbeaten daughter of Motivator had won two minor races before stepping up in class for the French Oaks, while many of her rivals brought Classic form into the race.

None more so than the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches heroine Flotilla, who had the perfect trip before fading inside the final two furlongs.

There appeared to be no excuses for any of the beaten horses as Treve spreadeagled the field under Thierry Jarnet, beating another outsider Chicquita with Silasol third.

Head-Maarek had been without a Group One win since Fuisse won the Prix du Moulin in 2010 and has been out of the limelight somewhat of late.

However, Treve it seems inconceivable that the filly will not be running in all the big races from now on, such was the manner of her success.

The disappointment of the race was undoubtedly Flotilla and it would be no surprise to see her drop to a mile.

Tasaday ran well for a long way and was just out of the places but Marcel Boussac winner Silasol appeared to have every chance and was beaten on merit.

Head-Maarek told At The Races: “I’ve been away for a few years (from the big races) but that’s life, sometimes you get better horses and you have to deal with it.

“She was always a very good filly, she was the best I had in my yard last year and this year but I couldn’t run her in the big races as she kept having small problems.

“I decided to wait and I told my father I would put her in the Prix Diane and they thought I was a bit crazy.

“She won very impressively, we beat the track record and I know the family well. She’s not in the Arc because she was sick when the entries were made. Today things have changed so we’ll see.

“We can supplement if we want but you need a very wealthy owner to do that! I’ll see how she comes out of this and then in September we have races like the Vermeille but it’s too early to decide what to do.

“She could stay in training, she’s brand new, that was only her third race. I’m sure people will ask if she’s for sale so it’s too early to say anything. I’ve had so many good fillies, it is difficult to compare. She is very good, she has a tremendous turn of foot and has stamina.”