FIFTEEN years ago, I had the great pleasure to spend almost two hours in the company of the late Aga Khan IV at Gilltown Stud, during which time he spoke at length about 50 years involvement in racing and breeding. I recall every detail of that meeting with incredible clarity.

This was two years after Zarkava (Zamindar) retired to stud, and she had produced her first foal that spring, a filly named Zerkaza (Dalakhani). When I quizzed His Highness about favourite horses, he was incredibly selective, and mentioned three or four, one of which was Zeddaan. He reserved a special mention for the 2008 Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Zarkava.