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Unbeaten Zarkava sent to stud

13/10/2008

Zarkava, the unbeaten winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, has been retired from racing.

The French trained three-year-old filly has a brilliant record of seven wins from seven starts.

Just last week Zarkava, who was trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre, became the first filly since Urban Sea in 1993 to win the Arc.

"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," Zarkava’s owner the Aga Khan said in a statement.

"She will be an invaluable asset to this essential part of our activity."

"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."

Dalakhani, the Aga Khan's 2003 Arc winner, will cover Zarkava in her first season at stud in 2009.

De Royer-Dupre was disappointed at the news of Zarkava's retirement but fully accepts the Aga Khan's decision.

"As a trainer, it is normal to feel some disappointment at her retirement," he said.

"But I understand that it is important for the valuable continuation of the Aga Khan's breeding operation. She is going to be a wonderful prospect at stud."