ZARKAVA (Zamindar) was brilliant, an Aga Khan homebred who remained undefeated through a Group 1 spree that culminated in a two-length defeat of Youmzain in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. That was her fourth top-level win in a row and her fifth overall.

She landed the Prix Marcel Boussac at two and beat Goldikova in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches-French 1000 Guineas the following spring. Zarkava followed a three-length defeat of Gagnoa in the Prix de Diane-French Oaks with a two-length win over Dar Re Mi in the Prix Vermeille and, in 2022, her star son may match her feat of producing a Group 1 winner at stud.

Standout

Zarak had the misfortune to be a three-year-old the same year as Almanzor; that standout beat him in both the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club-French Derby and Group 2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano. However, he got his Group 1 win the following summer, beating Silverwave by three-quarters of a length in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud over 12 furlongs.

He came close two months before when he was a short-neck second to Cloth Of Stars in the Group 1 Prix Ganay over a furlong and a half less at the same venue.

Dubawi

Zarak is a son of the great English stallion Dubawi (Dubai Millennium), and so is by the sire of Al Kazeem, Makfi, New Bay, Night Of Thunder and Poet’s Voice, all Group 1-winning sires of at least one Group 1 winner. He was among Europe’s leading freshmen in 2021, supplying a double-digit tally of winners including four blacktype earners. That is an eye-catching start for a horse who won a mile late-season maiden at two.

Potential

Lizaid (dam by Wiener Walzer) advertised her Group 1 Preis der Diana-German Oaks potential when landing the Group 3 Preis der Winterkonigin at Baden-Baden, one of Germany’s top juvenile races. Parnac (dam by Sageburg) could also be a German classic prospect following her seven-furlong listed success at Hanover in October.

Purplepay (dam by Lawman) looked a Group 1 Prix de Diane-French Oaks filly when finishing third to Angel Bleu in the Group 1 Criterium International over a mile at Saint-Cloud, but was sold for €2 million shortly afterwards to continue her career in North America. So, she’s a potential Grade 1 candidate instead.

Classic horse

Times Square (dam by Siyouni) could be his French classic horse, or one of his other winners could emerge as such. She chased home Zellie in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac.

Paddy Twomey bought Zarak’s top-priced yearling of 2021 and Kenny McPeek the second best.

ZARAK (FR), Bay 2013. Won four races, £985,443, from 1 mile to 1½ miles, 2 to 4 years including, Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Saint-Cloud, Gr.1, Wheels Dubai Millennium Stakes, Meydan, Gr.3, also placed second in Prix Ganay, Saint-Cloud, Gr.1, Prix du Jockey Club, Chantilly, Gr.1, Prix Guillaume d’Ornano-Logis St Germain, Deauville, Gr.2, and third in Qatar Prix Dollar, Chantilly, Gr.2.

Retired to Stud in 2018, and sire of the winners of 26 races, and £612,702, including LIZAID (GER), PARNAC (FR), Times Square (FR), and Purplepay (FR)

Stands at: Haras de Bonneval, 14270 Le Mesnil Mauger, France.

Contact: George Rimaud (manager) or Fanny Cyprès

Telephone: +33 2 31 48 18 60

Email: george.rimaud@agakhanstuds.com

Web: www.agakhanstuds.com

Fee: €25,000