In case you missed it, Zarkava put on an amazing performance this weekend to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp- the turf race with the world’s largest purse (roughly 4 million Euros – whatever that equates to in dollars).
What’s amazing about this? A number of things really. For starters, Zarkava is a she – so if that doesn’t put to rest all of the nonsensical talk bashing trainer Larry Jones for running his filly, Eight Belles, in the 2008 Kentucky Derby than I don’t know what will. We’re talking the richest and most competitive turf race in the world here. At one point Curlin’sconnections were hoping to send him to this race. Duke of Marmalade was there, as were many of the world’s top older turf runners. This is the first filly to win the Arc in 15 years.
Secondly, she’s just a 3-year-old! Not only is she taking on boys, but older boys -and good ones at that! We may have Zenyatta here in the states as a female superstar (andStardom Bound as our top up-and-coming juvenile filly), but we’ve nothing like Zarkava. The last time a female filly scored in the Arc was 1982 (Aklyda). Clearly, we’re not dealing with just any run-of-the-mill competitor here.
Zarkava trailed for most of the race running near the rail, then exploded in the final 2 furlongs to outdistance eventual 2nd place finisher Youmzain (who ironically finished 2nd in last year’s Arc to Dylan Thomas). The win improved her lifetime record to 7 wins in 7 starts – which is likely where it will end with the filly seemingly being pointed by Aga Khan to a breeding career after her victory in the Arc.
So how will we remember this amazing athlete? Granted, from a technical standpoint this was the slowest running of the Arc in five years, but the image I’ll have forever burned into my memory is of jockey Christophe Soumillion celebrating wildly – throwing his helmet and whip into the crowd and then dismounting in euphoric fashion.
We unfortunately won’t see Zarkavain the Breeder’s Cup at Santa Anita later this month, but several of the Arc runners are likely to make the trip. Duke of Marmalade, 7th place finisher in the Arc, is rumored to be pointing towards the Breeder’s Cup Classic. Likewise, Youmzain (2nd place finisher) would appear pointed towards the Breeder’s Cup Turf.
Hats off to the connections of Zarkava. That was a run for the ages and will likely be the bar by which the top international fillies are compared for years to come.
so if, as your facebook status wishes, curlin and zarkava were to mate, what would their foal be named?
curlin + zarkava = boy = curkava
curlin + zarkava = girl = zarlin
sorry, this is the lame thing i always do when i think of kids and their parents.
even with Zarkava out in Santa Anita, it shouldn’t make a difference in the outcome of this year’s Breeders’…Big Brown all the way!
Great filly, def. I can’t stand it when these Shieks and Khans get the good horses (or buy them all) and then retire them. Talk about KILLING the sport. Definitely an awesome pool of Fillies worldwide this year!
Wow Zarkava sounds crazy that’s def something to look forward to hearing more about..
And thank you for all the insightful comments you left on my blog, I really appreciate it! About facebook, I couldn’t find you either :O My photo’s the upside down one. I also have a link to my fb on my Contact Info page.
Let’s not forget the soft course when thinking of the final time; and here they were concerned about how she would handle anything other than a firm track! She’s an all-time great, no question. Here’s hoping she runs next year.
thanks Captain Obvious!
@Sulz…hmmm..I actually like Curkava and Zarlin. They sound like monstrous horses. The competition would surely defacate in their stalls before facing them.
@Sarah – you really think so? I’m thinking BB may be the better synthetic runner – but there’s just no way to be sure before than. That leads me to just going horse by horse and I’m still a Curlin guy all the way.
@Brian – totally agree – but that’s the economics of it all. I guess from there perspective it’s not worth risking a tragic accident on the track.
@Kaori – I found you buddy (at least I think). Actually saw that picture before and thought “nah, that’s not her!”
You wait – give me some time with ya and I’ll turn you into a horse racing fan.
@Superfecta – good point about the footing. That definitely would’ve influenced the time. I have to admit here that I was kind of looking at the final time from a “could Curlin have won this?” perspective.
@Woody – sssssshhhhhh. I beg silence of you, lest my enemies discover my true identity!
More Zarkava pics for you, taken by your favorite photographer:
http://www.horse-races.net/library/arc08-results.htm
http://horseracing.about.com/od/francespain/ss/aa100508arc.htm
Oh, 4 million euros is over $5.5 million US….
I once defacted in my stall. Long Story!
Rock on, Tex!!!! Awesome Zarkava pics. Give Vanessa my best. If allowed I’d like to put some of these pics up tonight. I’m falling more and more in love with Zarkava the more I learn about her. Man I wish they would send her to the Breeder’s Cup – turf or Classic (preferrably Classic).
@Shelton – well, at least there was no defenestration!
RaceHorseOwner.com has rated #1 in the world; I’d give Vanessa and Cindy a similar rating.
Best racehorse in the world for 2008: ZARKAVA (131). She tops our list for three reasons. One, she was never beaten. Two, she crushed Goldikova who then went on to record the most impressive victory of the entire Breeders’ Cup meeting. Three, she demolished the field in The Arc, and that race featured Duke of Marmalade, Youmzain, Soldier of Fortune, Papal Bull, and It’s Gino.
The IFHA would have you believe that all of those horses are within 3lbs of one another in terms of their ratings. That’s a load of papal bull. Zarkava is a better horse than Dylan Thomas based on her efforts, and certainly far superior to any horse she raced against this year. We rate her at 131. http://www.racehorseowner.com/art/rho-2008-best-racehorses-in-the-world-our-rankings-10-30-08.html