2008 Horse Of The Year - #1 Horse Racing Forum in Australia for Race-Horse News

Hillbilly

Listed
user 10

Offline
Posts: 433

Original Post 2008-Nov-18, 11:28 PM

It was no surprise to see Zarkava announced as the Cartier Horse Of The Year last night after her magnificent unbeaten run this season culminating in a superb Arc victory. The now retired Aga Khan three year old proved herself against all ages and managed a feat few will ever repeat in the process.

Zarkava began the season by taking the Guineas and Oaks against her own age group before taking on the older mares with a mind boggling display in the Prix Vermeille. Her final run in the Arc against the big boys exposed all the fears of Zarkava's greatest detractors. Her last to first style, the poor record of three year old fillies ( let alone older mares ), gate one and every historical fact possible was dredged up as ammunition for Zarkava's possible defeat on Arc day. More than one large UK firm was prepared to take the filly on. Layers on Betfair took plenty around 6/1 in running.

The doomsayers were all disappointed though. Slowly away as expected the filly was moving with ease in traffic when the race began to hit top gear. At that point a Coolmore runner decided to enter into a barging match with Zarkava. He wasn't tough enough or quick enough to put the superstar off her game though. Christophe Soumillon remained typically cool in a crisis and his confidence was rewarded every time a gap opened. With the acceleration and class of Zarkava beneath him why would he panic? A hint of daylight, one click and away she went. More gears than a Ferrari and superior reliabilty to boot.

After the race Soumillon recalled the greatest mistake of his career in Ireland. A repeat of that aberration in 2008 would have been unbearable and inexcusable. Soumillon had definitely learnt his lesson. Zarkava now has a date with the victim of that Irish mistake for one of the most anticipated matings of all time. Dalakhani may go one up on the mare but she'll be the one keeping her nose in front.

The Arc was the crowning glory and confirmation of Zarkava's greatness. Her speed had been evident for over a year. Anyone who witnessed her victory on Arc day 2007 knew Zarkava had a date with destiny. It's always so much more satisfying when the final goal is actually achieved. I doubt I'll ever see her feats matched in my lifetime let alone surpassed. I already envy anyone who sees better long after I've departed this mortal existence.


	Logged

Authorized

Steward
Group 1
user 18

Offline
Posts: 19685

2008-Nov-19, 05:24 PM

i do not see the point in retiring such a wonderful individual. I do not see the point in breeding the perfect racing machine and than retiring her so quickly.

There was plenty more for her to prove on the racetrack. How many racetracks did she compete on? how many countries did she compete in ?


	Logged

Hillbilly

Listed
user 10

Offline
Posts: 433

2008-Nov-19, 07:12 PM

People who race horses to chase riches and add status to themselves never see the point in anything done by the Aga Khan. With him breeding and horses come first. Any racecourse appearances by his bloodstock amount to nice days out for the public. He will never race a horse into the ground.

The Aga Khan is not a commercial breeder in the same sense as Coolmore or the Arabs. His stallion books are often heavily restricted and you'll never see an Aga Khan lad serving two hundred mares a year.

In short the Aga Khan puts horses first. The need for his animals to fit some public criteria for Champion status is zero. The incredible success of his operation speaks for itself.


	Logged

Authorized

Steward
Group 1
user 18

Offline
Posts: 19685

2008-Nov-19, 07:58 PM

Surely he himself would get enjoyment out of watching this wonderful filly on the racetrack. Most of us know his and his families history, i mean it is there in black and white for all to see.

I can understand him sending them to stud to continue on the family tradition, but surely when they eventually get the finished product, which Zarkava is, than you would want to enjoy the end result.

What would be wrong with racing it on at 4 Its one foal he'd miss out on ?

Can you explain what his actual racing and breeding policy/purpose is to those of us who do not understand it ?


	Logged

Authorized

Steward
Group 1
user 18

Offline
Posts: 19685

2008-Nov-19, 08:23 PM

His Highness the Aga Khan has decided to retire Zarkava to stud, following her win in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last Sunday. After a week’s reflection and discussion with both Zarkava’s trainer, Alain de Royer Dupré and the Aga Khan’s management team, His Highness has decided not to race Zarkava as a four-year-old. She will retire to stud unbeaten in seven races spanning five Group 1 wins including: the Prix Marcel Boussac as a two-year-old, the Prix Vermeille, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe plus victories in the two classics of the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and the Prix de Diane.
His Highness said “whilst no-one will regret more than my management team and I not to see Zarkava race again, as she is such a supreme athlete, we have decided to retire her to the Aga Khan broodmare band, as she will be an invaluable asset to this essential part of our activity. The quality and youth of our broodmare band is of the utmost importance to ensure we remain breeders of racehorses capable of performing at the top level. The Aga Khan Studs have produced three exceptional fillies in three consecutive years: Mandesha, Darjina and now Zarkava. Their addition to our broodmare band will enhance the
economic value and the potential for success of future generations of Aga Khan bloodstock at a time when competition is becoming increasingly global.”“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the people employed at my Irish and French studs for their remarkable work. Without their tireless dedication, we would not be able to breed and race champions like Zarkava, Sinndar, Azamour and Dalakhani. Furthermore Alain de Royer Dupré, Christophe Soumillon and the staff at the Aiglemont Training Centre, must be applauded for their admirable work in producing Zarkava at the top of her form for all of her seven wonderful races”. It has also been decided that Dalakhani, the Aga Khan’s 2003 Arc winner, will cover Zarkava for her first season at stud in 2009. Dalakhani has had a successful start to his stallion career, following the Group 1 wins
of Moonstone (Irish Oaks) and Conduit (St Leger) from his first crop of three-year-olds in 2008.


	Logged

Hillbilly

Listed
user 10

Offline
Posts: 433

2008-Nov-19, 09:51 PM

Most of us? I would say there are very few who know the real facts behind the Aga Khan and his great breeding dynasty. That is a point I am very confident of given the length and breadth of discussions I've had with racing and non racing people across the globe.

Quotes in the press will reveal little. People such as his Highness do not make a habit of revealing their true thoughts and motives in public. The section you have underlined is merely a point that possibly exposes your own thoughts and motives. The area highlighted below is much more likely to reflect the agenda of the Aga Khan.

We all come into racing from different perspectives with differing motivations. Each course is the one we choose as correct for ourselves as individuals. It doesn't mean that our path is the right one for all. I wish everyone the best of luck with the path in racing that they have chosen.

"We have decided to retire her to the Aga Khan broodmare band, as she will be an invaluable asset to this essential part of our activity. The quality and youth of our broodmare band is of the utmost importance to ensure we remain breeders of racehorses capable of performing at the top level."


	Logged

Authorized

Steward
Group 1
user 18

Offline
Posts: 19685

2009-Feb-23, 05:47 PM

I see Montmartre has retire from racing due to injury.

http://www.agakhanstuds.com/news/news_display.asp?newsid=497


	Logged

Pages: [1] Go Up

« previous next »

Racehorse TALK