Superfectablog v3.0 » Darjina http://superfectablog.com Fri, 18 May 2012 18:43:22 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 As Per Usual… http://superfectablog.com/2008/10/as-per-usual.html http://superfectablog.com/2008/10/as-per-usual.html#comments Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:34:00 +0000 admin http://superfectablog.lisagrimm.com/?p=509 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, [...]]]> 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?

]]> http://superfectablog.com/2008/10/as-per-usual.html/feed 2 A Muddy Mile Picture http://superfectablog.com/2008/09/a-muddy-mile-picture.html http://superfectablog.com/2008/09/a-muddy-mile-picture.html#comments Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:12:00 +0000 admin http://superfectablog.lisagrimm.com/?p=491 The soft going was apparently not much to the liking of top turf milers in North America or Europe; both Kip Deville and Henrythenavigator finished fifth in their respective races. The main difference in the narratives is that Henrythenavigator was beaten by one of the most well-regarded milers around, Goldikova, who is now pointing [...]]]> The soft going was apparently not much to the liking of top turf milers in North America or Europe; both Kip Deville and Henrythenavigator finished fifth in their respective races. The main difference in the narratives is that Henrythenavigator was beaten by one of the most well-regarded milers around, Goldikova, who is now pointing toward the Breeders’ Cup Mile, while Kip Deville was bested by little-known (outside Ontario) Canadian gelding Rahy’s Attorney. (Although it is worth noting that Kip Deville was, prior to his Breeders’ Cup win last year, a somewhat obscure horse from Oklahoma).

There were no obvious excuses for Kip Deville in the Woodbine Mile; he’s run well on soft courses before (notably last year at Monmouth). Perhaps there’s new feed at the Dutrow barn, who can say? The other question coming out of the race is whether Rahy’s Attorney will use his Win and You’re In berth for the Breeders’ Cup — as he’s not nominated, it would still cost his connections a rather large sum of money to get him to the starting gate. Kentucky-bred but well-traveled mare Ventura also put in a notable effort to finish second.

It was not a great weekend for Aiden O’Brien; beyond Henrythenavigator’s defeat at Longchamp, he scratched Duke of Marmalade from the Irish Champion Stakes (easily won by rival New Approach) and Halfway to Heaven was soundly defeated by Lush Lashes (like New Approach, she is trained by Jim Bolger) in the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes — so he’s still a few Group 1 wins away from the record.

The main feature of the Prix du Moulin was the rivalry between Goldikova and Darjina, with both classy fillies putting in fine efforts. Goldikova has some options for the Breeders’ Cup, according to her trainer, Freddie Head:

‘I knew she was well and ready to run a big race. She was against the colts for the first time and I wasn’t certain she could win but I was certain of her well-being and quality.

‘She will definitely go the Breeders’ Cup now, but I will discuss the options with the owner. She could go for the Mile or the Filly and Mare Turf – I don’t think stamina would be a problem for the latter as she proved she stayed when third in the Diane.’

There’s another reason to head to California — that way she avoids another matchup with Zarkava, who has already beaten her twice. Zarkava is still aiming for the Arc and had an encouraging workout recently. There is some thought that Henrythenavigator will aim for the Breeders’ Cup Mile (instead of the Classic, as had been suggested earlier), while Duke of Marmalade may try for the Classic. Here’s hoping Darjina heads stateside as well – it would be great to see her renew her rivalry with Goldikova in a time zone I can stay awake for (just).

]]> http://superfectablog.com/2008/09/a-muddy-mile-picture.html/feed 3