Goldikova stretched her phenomenal Group 1 winning strike-rate to 13 with a hard-fought victory in the Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp on Sunday.

Goldikova (6m Anabaa – Born Gold by Blushing Groom) was racing first-up over 1800m and was pushed right out to defeat Cirrus Des Aigles (Even Top) and Rajsaman (Linamix).

Opinions were divided following her latest top-level triumph but bookmakers kept Goldikova an outright 5-4 favourite for a proposed clash with Canford Cliffs in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Trainer Freddie Head described her seasonal debut as “brilliant and courageous” but wouldn’t commit the six-year-old for Royal Ascot until discussions with owners Alain and Gerard Wertheimer.

Goldikova won last year’s Prix d’Ispahan in similar fashion before going to Royal Ascot to take the Queen Anne by a neck from Paco Boy.

Besides the last two editions of the Prix D’Ispahan, Goldikova has annexed the Breeders’ Cup Mile (3), Prix Rothschild (3) 2008 Prix du Moulin, 2009 Prix Jacques le Marois, 2009 Falmouth Stakes, 2010 Queen Anne Stakes and 2010 Prix de la Foret.

Goldikova is by deceased Widden shuttler Anabaa (Danzig).  His southern hemisphere bred Group 1 winners include Yell, Virage De Fortune, Headturner, Imananabaa, and Anacheeva.