Zarak (Fr)

Where to start on the first morning of the Route des Etalons? It was a decision which would have been easy to rush into, what with so many enticing options to choose from, all of them immaculately presented, ready and waiting to welcome the first guests of the day. 'Pace yourself,' I reminded myself. 'There's always tomorrow for anything you don't get to today.' Anyway, that's enough about the breakfast buffet at the hotel. Suitably fueled with a pile of crepes, cakes and pastries that would have made my dentist...

A nomination to the Aga Khan Studs stallion Zarak (Fr) has been added to the Arqana Online January Sale, which is due to take place between the hours of 3pm and 5pm (local time) on Monday, January 20. For conditions of sale and to view the full catalogue, click here. Zarak stood his first season at Haras de Bonneval in 2018 and is set to command a career-high fee of €80,000 in 2025, having produced three Group 1 winners from his early crops, including last year's Poule d'Essai des Poulains...

Like any vibrant metropolis, Haras d'Etreham is somewhere that embraces the diversity of its inhabitants. At one time the roster featured everything from a dual Group 1-winning sprinter in Hello Youmzain (Fr), now one of the most expensive Flat stallions in France, to the leading National Hunt sire Saint des Saints (Fr), who in October this year was pensioned from stud duties. "We just need as many options as possible," says Etreham's Nicolas de Chambure, speaking more generally about the evolving stallion scene domestically which, in his words, had a...

A 1/50th share in the Aga Khan Studs stallion Zarak (Fr) took top billing in the Arqana December Online Sale when going the way of Alex Elliott for €800,000. Of the 13 stallion shares and breeding rights offered, nine sold for a total of €1,323,000. A four-time winner when trained by Alain de Royer-Dupré, notably landing the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Zarak boasts an exceptional pedigree as a son of Dubawi (Ire) and the unbeaten G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar). Zarak stood his first...

Lot 180, G1 Preis der Diana runner-up Spanish Eyes (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}) sold for €1,300,000 to Hannah Wall at Arqana. Out of G1 Premio Lydia Tesio heroine Sortilege (Ire) (Tiger Hill {Ire}), the bay was consigned by Ecurie des Monceaux. The 3-year-old filly is a full-sister to G3 Premio Guido e Alessandro Berardelli winner Sirjan (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}). Bred by Gestut Karlshof, Spanish Eyes was a €95,000 buy-back out of the Arqana October Yearling Sale in 2022.   Offered by @EcurieMonceaux at the #VentedElevage, Preis der Diana-German Oaks (Gr.1) runner-up...

Zarak (Fr)'s Village Voice (GB), a winner of the G3 Prix de Flore, caught the eye of Resolute Bloodstock to the tune of 1,300,000gns as the Sceptre Sessions continued on Tuesday. Offered by Simmonstown Stud, lot 1743 has been placed four additional times at group level. Her second dam struck in the G2 May Hill Stakes and G3 Sweet Solera Stakes, and was third in the G1 1000 Guineas, the G1 Coronation Stakes, and the G1 Fillies' Mile. Village Voice, bred by Malih Al Basti, sold for 38,000gns to BBA...

A share in Group 1 winner and sire Zarak (Fr) has been sold privately for €600,000 to Chauvigny Global Equine, Arqana announced on Wednesday. Originally passed in at €650,000 during Tuesday's Arqana Online November Sale, the 1/50th share (lot 1) has now been purchased by Sebastien Desmontils's operation. Based at the Aga Khan Studs' Haras de Bonneval, the son of Dubawi (Ire) and Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) has sired a total of 28 stakes winners, 19 of them at group level or higher. In 2024 alone, the bay had 19 stakes...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a son of Plumania (GB) (Anabaa). 11.56 Chantilly, Debutantes, €30,000, 2yo, c/g, 9f (AWT) AVIDE (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a significant newcomer for the Wertheimers and Andre Fabre as a son of their G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud heroine Plumania (GB) (Anabaa). A full-brother to the...

Classic hero Metropolitan (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), who will stand at Haras d'Etreham beginning next year, will be available for viewing at Haras du Thenney on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7, during the Arqana Vente d'Elevage from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Metropolitan won the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and was third in the G1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was also a close second in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois, and will be available for €15,000 in 2025. Etreham's Nicolas de Chambure said,...

Nietzsche Has (Fr), runner-up in Sunday's G1 Prix Cambacérès at Auteuil, will stand for a fee of €7,000 when he retires to Haras de Montaigu as a National Hunt stallion in 2025, the stud announced on Monday. Bred by Scea Hamel Stud, the son of Zarak (Fr) carried the colours of Edward James and his Highbourne Stud, having been bought by bloodstock agent Guy Petit for €240,000 at last year's Arqana Deauville Summer Mixed Sale. In six starts over hurdles at Auteuil, he also won the G3 Prix Aguado in...

After taking home the Central Park Stakes trophy with Jack and Jim (Slumber {GB}) at the Big A on Saturday, trainer Graham Motion made it back to the winner's circle when Laurelin (Ire) (Zarak {Fr}) got up in time to take the Tepin Stakes on Sunday. The chestnut broke her maiden for the Maryland-based conditioner by 1 1/2 lengths over the same grass course Oct. 13, but that was not enough to install her as the favorite in the bettor's minds. As a 4-1 shot here, the filly settled mid-pack...

The catalogue for the Arqana Online November Sale is now available, with 13 lots features either breeding rights or stallion shares that will go under the hammer on Nov. 26 from 5-7p.m. local time. Lot 1 is a 1/50th share in rising French sire Zarak (Fr). The sire of multiple Group 1 winners including G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains Metropolitan (Fr), Zarak's share will entitle the buyer to one covering per year, plus an additional covering every other year. A share (1/50) in exciting French first-crop sire Hello Youmzain (Fr)...