Zarkava retirement confirmed
by Michelle Fortune, 13 October 2008
Zarkava has run her last race after the decision was made to retire her to stud.
There has been some confusion over the future of the unbeaten three-year-old since her stunning victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but her owner the Aga Khan has confirmed that she will not run again.
"While no-one will regret more than my management team and I not to see Zarkava race again, we have decided to retire her to the Aga Khan broodmare band as she will be an invaluable asset to this essential part of our activity," her owner said.
"The quality and youth of our broodmare band is of the utmost importance to ensure we remain breeders of racehorses capable of performing at the top level.
"The Aga Khan studs have produced three exceptional fillies in three consecutive years: Mandesha, Darjina and now Zarkava."
Zarkava won all seven of her starts, five of them at Group One level, and secured close to £2.5 in prize money for her owner.
Her final race came at Longchamp where she became the first filly since Urban Sea in 1993 to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - she defeated Youmzain by two lengths.
It was thought she would be retired immediately but connections waited several days before sitting down to discuss future plans for the daughter of Zamindar.
They convened over the weekend and after weighing up all the options open to them they decided to bring the curtain down on her illustrious, but short, career.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the people employed at my Irish and French studs for their remarkable work," his Highness the Aga Khan continued.
"Without their tireless dedication, we would not be able to breed and race champions like Zarkava, Sinndar, Azamour and Dalakhani.
"Furthermore, Alain de Royer-Dupre, Christophe Soumillon and the staff at Aiglemont Training Centre must be applauded for their admirable work in producing Zarkava at the top of her form for all of her seven wonderful races."