Zaaki is the current new star of Australian racing and been made favourite for next season’s Cox Plate following a seven length rout of his rivals in the Group 1 Doomben Cup.
The race saw the final races for 14-time Group 1 winner Melody Belle and five-time Group 1 winner Humidor, but the focus was all on Zaaki who raced in second place before easing past Brandenburg on the home turn and then running away to win easily.
A dual Group 3 winner in England for Sir Michael Stoute, Zaaki was a 150,000gns private sale at last year’s Tattersalls Autumn HIT sale to Blandford Bloodstock and young Englishwoman Annabel Neasham now training at Warwick Farm in Sydney.
He is the third Group 1 winner for the North American Group 1 miler Leroidesanimaux, sire also of the Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom and who died as a result of injuries sustained in a paddock accident at Lanwades Stud in May 2016 after commencing his stud career in Kentucky.
Bred by Kirsten Rausing, Zaaki is 3×4 to Blushing Groom and one of six winners left by Kesara (Sadler’s Wells), a winner in France and also dam of Kirks Ryker (Selkirk), a winner of seven races in Singapore and runner-up in the Listed Committee’s Prize at Kranji.
Kesara is a three-quarter sister to Madanina Sadler’s Wells), a winner in Japan and dam of Listed Capitol Stakes at Tokyo winner Yamanin Whisker (Manhattan Cafe), and half-sister to French Listed winner Persona Grata (Sir Percy).
The granddam Kaldounya (Kaldoun) a winner in North America and a sister to Listed Prix Matchem at Evry runner-up Minydoun as well as a half-sister to Gr.1 Premio Presidente Della Repubblica at Rome winner and sire Altieri (Selkirk).
The third-dam Minya (Blushing Groom) won in France and placed in the Group 3 Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly while Zaaki’s fourth dam Riverqueen (Luthier) won the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, Prix Saint-Alary and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.