As Per Usual...

Sigh. Yes, we suspected it was coming, but the news is official now; Zarkava has been retired. There are plenty of less-than-pleased fans on the BBC's 606 site and I freely admit I'm on the 'annoyed' side. There's no question Zarkava has little left to prove in terms of demonstrating her class (unbeaten in seven starts, five of them Group 1 wins), but imagine what more she could have done with just one more year in training; her stablemate Darjina (who, like Zarkava, is by Zamindar) has shown herself as a model of consistency at the highest level as a 4-year-old, and while she is a top-class filly, she doesn't quite have Zarkava's innate brilliance (and/or racing luck). Her retirement plans have been finalized as well. The official press release regarding Zarkava's retirement hits the usual bittersweet notes we have come to expect from such things: His Highness said "whilst no-one will regret more than my management team and I not to see Zarkava race again, as she is such a supreme athlete, 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. 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. Their addition to our broodmare band will enhance the economic value and the potential for success of future generations of Aga Khan bloodstock at a time when competition is becoming increasingly global." I can easily understand wanting to avoid injury and to keep her unbeaten record intact, but it still seems that in modern racing, we are only seeing the first or occasionally second act of a play - we miss the climax entirely. As anticipated, Zarkava will be bred to fellow Arc winner Dalakhani. It's certainly an interesting pairing on paper - but could it not have waited another year?