THERE have been many brilliant racemares who disappointed at stud – and many star colts who failed to live up to expectations – but some have become matriarchs of powerful families. Miesque is one example, with Urban Sea a standout from those who were ‘merely’ Group 1 winners. It is too early to know if the undefeated Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and dual classic heroine Zarkava will join them, but she already has two Group 1 performers to her name, one of whom is a stallion.

Zarak won over a mile on heavy ground at Deauville on his only start at two, so it could be the late summer and autumn before we start to see his best juveniles emerge each year. He finished fifth to The Gurkha in the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) – that year run at Deauville – before chasing home Almanzor in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) at Chantilly and in the Group 2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville.