The invincible Zarkava
October 6th 2008 20:37
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe of 2008 was won by a horse that will be talked about in future as one of the greatest names of horseracing. Zarkava was pure thoroughbred excellence in the greatest race in the world.
(photo: newsbbc.co.uk)
1st Zarkava
2nd Youmzain
3rd It’s Gino & Soldier Of Fortune (dead heat)
Preceding the race the questions were being asked as the rain fell on Paris and dampened the Longchamp turf - surely this would dull the edge of the horse with the most electrifying sprint in racing!
Zarkava lined up against the best horses that Europe (even Japan) could provide. This was to be her first test that was not against (her own sex) fillies. And even as she had teased - and then thrashed - all of her gender and three year old age, there were the whispers that she may find the males (including the older and fully mature four and five year old stallions) a different proposition. And then there is her long list of idiosyncrasies that see her tumble out of barriers well after the others have settled - or even the steeplechasing of shadows or just plain show of haughtiness. There were doubts that she would cope.
I must admit to not being overly confident when I saw the cut in the track in earlier races and the continuation of French drizzle. I wondered how many new obstacles must she overcome.
As the field settled and the Ballydoyle pacemaker Red Rock Canyon set the tempo I looked for the glorious filly - and found her inside a pack of horses - but not at the tail of the field. She was pocketed in a rearward position - and the best jockeys in the world (aboard the best horses) - were not going to allow Christophe Soumillon to find a clear path to the outside. This was to be expected - they kept their danger under lock and key.
As they approached the Longchamp straight - which has been Zarkava’s very own at each appearance - she was caught in traffic inside the males of all ages. The filly was in danger of defeat. Then Christophe Soumillon asked Zarkava for her finishing effort and she found traction and speed and began to surge through the pack. She may very well have run into a dead end halfway down the straight but Soumillon got her to change course and move to the outside - and in daylight the race was over in a stride.
Runner-up for a second year Youmzain had little luck again - but this time he was trounced.
"She had to come out of the pack and she did it well. She has great class. I've always known she would have great class. When I saw the filly in the parade ring I felt confident. She can be a little bit nervous, she's a bit of a maniac. Winning this is really important to me." - Alain De Royer-Dupre, trainer.
"It's inexplicable. I did not even have to use the whip. I've never seen such a finish in my life. It's the greatest day of my life." - Christophe Soumillon, jockey.
"We were worried about the draw so we did not give any instructions to Christophe. This really is the apogee of decades of breeding. In the racing world for my family this was one of the most important moments." - The Aga Khan, owner.
Duke Of Marmalade (like Zarkava) was not well suited by a soft(ish) track. But Aidan O’Brien offers that (rightfully) as no excuse. The Duke is the top ranked thoroughbred in the world on turf. I pondered the question on release of the latest rankings as to why Zarkava’s ranking had been going backwards. Ridiculous then - and a farce now.
If Curlin cannot win a Breeders’ Cup Classic then surely Zarkava must be then the top ranked thoroughbred in the world. She has eclipsed her gender and age through all of the French classic races. There was some doubt (or stigma - noting the very high ranking of 3 year old colts including New Approach) as to the substance of her previous six victories (as easy as they were). But in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe we are left with no doubt.
In my estimation she is the best horse in the world. I can still entertain a case for Curlin and his domination on dirt tracks - but I believe this 3 year old filly even greater than the mighty Curlin. She must be ranked at least the best horse on turf on the next rankings. If not the assessment is flawed.
A replay of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2008:
Zarkava winning the Arc
(photo: newsbbc.co.uk)
1st Zarkava
2nd Youmzain
3rd It’s Gino & Soldier Of Fortune (dead heat)
Preceding the race the questions were being asked as the rain fell on Paris and dampened the Longchamp turf - surely this would dull the edge of the horse with the most electrifying sprint in racing!
Zarkava lined up against the best horses that Europe (even Japan) could provide. This was to be her first test that was not against (her own sex) fillies. And even as she had teased - and then thrashed - all of her gender and three year old age, there were the whispers that she may find the males (including the older and fully mature four and five year old stallions) a different proposition. And then there is her long list of idiosyncrasies that see her tumble out of barriers well after the others have settled - or even the steeplechasing of shadows or just plain show of haughtiness. There were doubts that she would cope.
I must admit to not being overly confident when I saw the cut in the track in earlier races and the continuation of French drizzle. I wondered how many new obstacles must she overcome.
As the field settled and the Ballydoyle pacemaker Red Rock Canyon set the tempo I looked for the glorious filly - and found her inside a pack of horses - but not at the tail of the field. She was pocketed in a rearward position - and the best jockeys in the world (aboard the best horses) - were not going to allow Christophe Soumillon to find a clear path to the outside. This was to be expected - they kept their danger under lock and key.
As they approached the Longchamp straight - which has been Zarkava’s very own at each appearance - she was caught in traffic inside the males of all ages. The filly was in danger of defeat. Then Christophe Soumillon asked Zarkava for her finishing effort and she found traction and speed and began to surge through the pack. She may very well have run into a dead end halfway down the straight but Soumillon got her to change course and move to the outside - and in daylight the race was over in a stride.
Runner-up for a second year Youmzain had little luck again - but this time he was trounced.
"She had to come out of the pack and she did it well. She has great class. I've always known she would have great class. When I saw the filly in the parade ring I felt confident. She can be a little bit nervous, she's a bit of a maniac. Winning this is really important to me." - Alain De Royer-Dupre, trainer.
"It's inexplicable. I did not even have to use the whip. I've never seen such a finish in my life. It's the greatest day of my life." - Christophe Soumillon, jockey.
"We were worried about the draw so we did not give any instructions to Christophe. This really is the apogee of decades of breeding. In the racing world for my family this was one of the most important moments." - The Aga Khan, owner.
Duke Of Marmalade (like Zarkava) was not well suited by a soft(ish) track. But Aidan O’Brien offers that (rightfully) as no excuse. The Duke is the top ranked thoroughbred in the world on turf. I pondered the question on release of the latest rankings as to why Zarkava’s ranking had been going backwards. Ridiculous then - and a farce now.
If Curlin cannot win a Breeders’ Cup Classic then surely Zarkava must be then the top ranked thoroughbred in the world. She has eclipsed her gender and age through all of the French classic races. There was some doubt (or stigma - noting the very high ranking of 3 year old colts including New Approach) as to the substance of her previous six victories (as easy as they were). But in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe we are left with no doubt.
In my estimation she is the best horse in the world. I can still entertain a case for Curlin and his domination on dirt tracks - but I believe this 3 year old filly even greater than the mighty Curlin. She must be ranked at least the best horse on turf on the next rankings. If not the assessment is flawed.
A replay of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2008:
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