Zarkava (Ire)

His Highness The Aga Khan's undefeated G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine and Group 1 producer Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) will not be bred next year and has been pensioned, The Aga Khan Studs announced on Wednesday. The 19-year-old mare's final foal is a filly by Siyouni (Fr) born on February 2, 2024. Foaled on the final day of March in 2005, the daughter of Zarkasha (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}) won her seven starts for Alain de Royer-Dupre by a combined 16 lengths, all in group company, bar her Longchamp maiden. After winning...

The Aga Khan's Zarigana (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}--Zarkamiya {Fr}, by Frankel {GB}), a granddaughter of the storied Zarkava, attained 'TDN Rising Star' status with a stunning performance over seven furlongs at Chantilly in July and duly delivered a first black-type triumph with a display reminiscent of the owner's star distaffer in Thursday's G3 Prix d'Aumale at ParisLongchamp. The 4-5 favourite broke swiftly and was steadied off the tempo in sixth through halfway in this one-mile test. Angled to the outside passing the quarter-mile marker, she cruised to the fore approaching the...

His Highness The Aga Khan's hitherto unraced 2-year-old-filly Zarigana (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}--Zarkamiya {Fr}, by Frankel {GB}), a granddaughter of the storied Zarkava, produced a stunning performance in Sunday's Prix de la Butte Blanche over seven furlongs at Chantilly and emulated her illustrious second dam by securing 'TDN Rising Star' status on debut. The well-backed 11-10 favourite settled into a smooth rhythm and tracked the leaders in fifth after the opening exchanges. Angled off the rail for a clear passage approaching the quarter-mile marker, she settled the contest in an instant...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday's Observations features a granddaughter of the legendary Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar). 14.33 Chantilly, Debutantes, €30.000, 2yo, f, 7fT ZARIGANA (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) is an eye-catching newcomer for The Aga Khan and Francis-Henri Graffard, being a daughter of the listed-winning and G1 Prix Vermeille-placed Zarkamiya (Fr) (Frankel {GB}). She was...

Aga Khan Studs' sire Zarak (Fr) continued to prove popular at the sales, as Tom Goff's Blandford Bloodstock shelled out 350,000gns on behalf of Chasemore Farm for a 1/50th share (lot 63) in the rising sire star to top the Tattersalls Online January Sale on Thursday. The son of Arc heroine Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) has gone from strength to strength with his progeny in the past few years. Among his many stakes winners are group winners Purplepay (Fr), Sirjan (Ger), Baiykara (Fr), Lavello (Ire), and Lizaid (Ger), while La Parisienne...

2.25 Saint-Cloud, Debutantes, €27,000, 3yo, c/g, 10fT DOLAYLI (FR) (Siyouni {Fr}) is the latest progeny of the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic heroine Dolniya (Fr) (Azamour {Ire}) to hit the track, with Christophe Soumillon on The Aga Khan's half-brother to last year's G3 Prix Quincey winner Dilawar (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Francis-Henri Graffard also saddles Edzel (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), a son of the G3 Give Thanks S. scorer Edelmira (Ire) (Peintre Celebre). 3.35 Saint-Cloud, Debutantes, €27,000, 3yo, f, 10fT ZARKA (FR) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a standout on the day as the 10th...

Zaskar (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) had his first mare scanned in foal, Haras de Cercy announced via Twitter on Friday. A son of the undefeated G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar), he stands for €2,200 at Haras de Cercy this year.

Undefeated G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) foaled a Siyouni (Fr) colt at Sheshoon Stud in Ireland on Apr. 16, The Aga Khan Studs announced on Wednesday. The bay is the 12th progeny of the remarkable mare and a full-brother to listed winner Zaykava (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). According to Pat Downes, who manages The Aga Khan Studs in Ireland, the colt is "an attractive, correct colt with plenty of quality. He has a lot of presence." A winner of two French filly Classics and another two...

His Highness The Aga Khan's hitherto unraced Zaykava (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), a daughter of unbeaten MG1SW European Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar), was the main focus of attention for Wednesday's Prix du Cochet, a 10-furlong heat for newcomers, on a low-key card at Compiegne and duly obliged as the well-backed 7-5 favourite. 5th-Compiegne, €20,000, Mdn, 7-1, unraced 3yo, 10fT, 2:11.10, sf. ZAYKAVA (FR) (f, 3, Siyouni {Fr}--Zarkava {Ire} {Horse of the Year-Eur, Ch. 3yo Filly-Eur, Hwt. 2yo Filly-Fr & MG1SW-Fr, $4,793,989}, by Zamindar) was the main focus of attention for this low-key...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Insights features a daughter of the undefeated Arc heroine Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar). 2.24 Compiegne, Debutantes, €22,000, 2yo, c/g, 7fT VISSANI (FR) (Dariyan {Fr}) debuts for The Aga Khan and Alain de Royer-Dupre and is a half-brother to the triple Group 1-winning stayer Vazirabad (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}) whose dam...

Undefeated champion Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar), who was a French highweighted filly at two and from 9 1/2-14 furlongs at three, foaled a filly by Frankel (GB) on Apr. 14, The Aga Khan Studs announced on Monday. A full-sister to French listed winner and G1 Prix Vermeille third Zarkamiya (Fr) (Frankel {GB}), the bay is also a half-sister to G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud hero and G1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}). Zarkamiya produced her first offspring, a Medaglia d'Oro filly, earlier this spring, while Zarak is...

Fast approaching a silver jubilee of time served in the trenches, there remains nothing which acts as such an effective catalyst for in-house discussion and disagreement as our beloved niche, TDN's Rising Stars. "Genius is 1% talent and 99% hard work." So said Einstein. I don't suppose he gave that one a second thought, though his words perfectly illustrate the backstory of notable achievements in almost any sphere. However, for this publication's signature product, there is no small measure of luck required too. "TDN Rising Stars allow readers to identify...