ZARKAVA ENTERS THE HISTORY BOOKS

Article taken from The Irish Field by Desmond Stoneham

A good case could be made for picking out any of Zarkava’s four Group 1 successes in France this year. The Aga Khan’s unique filly has now been retired to stud and it was an understandable decision. The only regret is that she never had an opportunity to beat a top-class field outside France.

Unbeaten in seven races and never extended or touched with a whip, the daughter of Zamindar was always two lengths or more ahead of her runner-up. When she won the Prix Vermeille, she relaxed in the stalls and lost an enormous amount of ground, but still mowed down her rivals in the straight. Zarkava had a number one draw in the Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe and Christophe Soumillon was aware that the filly might want to return to the paddock before winning the race. Indeed, she did try to duck under the temporary rail soon after the start.

Soumillon corrected the situation and Zarkava was soon paying attention and galloping along towards the rear of the field.

There were only two runners behind her entering the straight and things opened up beautifully one and a half furlongs out. The turbo was engaged and she flashed  past her rivals and became the first three-year-old filly to win the Arc since 1982. When will we see such a great filly again? In the opinion of Soumillon, not for at least 25 years.

Date: 27 December 2008