Zarak, the first foal of the brilliant race mare Zarkava, quoted for Epsom Derby
Thursday 22 October 2015 17:05, UK
Zarak, the first foal of the brilliant race mare Zarkava to make the racecourse, made a most impressive start to his career at Deauville.
Zarkava retired to the paddocks unbeaten in seven races for trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre and owner-breeder the Aga Khan following a brilliant display in the 2008 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Ridden by Zarkava's rider Christophe Soumillon, 11/10 favourite Zarak eased to a comfortable victory in the Prix de Saint-Desir and is a 20/1 shot for next year's Investec Derby at Epsom with Coral.
The Aga Khan's stud manager, Georges Rimaud, said: "He was very impressive and we are thrilled with him. He had shown enough at home for him to start. The ground was heavy, but the horse answered every question.
"The jockey was thrilled and in the end, it was a simple operation.
"We are not sure what the plan will be, but I think we will leave him alone until next year now.
"Zarak is Zarkava's fourth foal. She also has a yearling by Redoute's Choice and a Frankel filly.
"There is also the Galileo three-year-old (Zarkar), who has not yet raced. He is not the most precocious of horses, but that is one of those things.
"We are delighted to have this nice two-year-old by Dubawi."
Zarkava also produced a colt by Sea The Stars, but he suffered a fatal injury as a three-year-old last October.
