You can daydream all day long about great races between great horses that could've or might've been if retirement or injury or the like hadn't ended a career prematurely. But seldom have I thought of a race that could've potentially been any more epic than if Zarkava had gotten to race as a 4YO and defended her Arc title in 2009 against Sea The Stars. Those two going head to head would've made it one of the most epic renewals of the Arc in many, many years if not ever.
how many times did zarkova get whipped, it was all hands and heels from soumillion. also zarkva stumbled and missed the break, zarkova was one of the most underrated arc winners i rate her very highly
Very impressive Arc winner and for me a little underrated by those supposedly in the know. Bar Treve's demolition of Orfevre, Intello and Kizuna this is for me the most impressive Arc winner since Peintre Celebre.
Still think Zarkava would never have been beat,no matter how much Goldi improved,and don't get me wrong I love that horse.But Zarkava was a freak. She could have won over 5 if she wanted.
@Stanters1967 fair enough mate we all have our favourites she was amazing definitely but i love sts. wot u fancy on sunday then? im on so you think but im not sure how gud he is. really looking 4ward to it tho.
Zarkava didn't need to be whipped to give her all. some horses don't respond to the whip as you may think If you watch the feature from the equida channel, Zarkava looks to have a personality that wouldn't like being whipped at all.
zarkava missed the break which was not be design and was stone last all the way too the straight, she won by 2 lengths offically taking into account the ground she gave a good filly in dar re mi (who got the run of the race), she picked up without being whipped, being pushed out and even being eased in the final 50 yards and also breaking the course record in the process. she won that race easily and showed that she stayed the 1 mile 4 furlongs really strong zarkava was very underrated
@TheDarleyarabian Speculation only, we'll never know sadly but you are underestimating a great filly. Both she and STS are right at the top of the tree and we'll have to settle for that. To my eye her Arc looks every bit as good as STS's, including factoring in his style of running.
also take into account, that vermeille was her prep race she last ran in the french oaks in june and the vermeille was in september she was never going to be 100% and the fact that in my opinon she won easily!! distances are not the true reflection of superioty just look how she won and how strong and comfortable she was at the line and the fact she was never touched with the whip once.. maybe i am biased because i won shed loads of money off her in the arc
so you think is an amazing horse yes, but i wouldnt like to put workforce out of the picture! but i really think the 2012 arc will be for SARAFINA to win, her turn of foot has improved so much and 12fls is her perfect trip! zarkava would still destroy all theise arcs tho, just have to see her finishing times for the last 3 fls, the girl was a different class, would of loved to see her against sea the stars tho!
I totally agree, she is every bit as good.. But I'd say Treve has slightly better acceleration, while Zarkava has slightly better speed.. The big question would be, while Treve has accomplished something extraordinary in winning two Arcs.. would Zarkava have powered past Sea The Stars if she went for the double as well? That would be mighty close.. Treve beat Flintshire, and there's no doubt Zarkava would have dispatched him also, but there's no way Flintshire is in the same league as Sea The Stars, so obviously a lot of Luck comes into play with the quality of the opposition when trying to make history..
That wouldve been a great race. I dont think Treve or Zarkava are at STS level though. Personally i think hes the greatest all around horse in recent history based on his difficult campaign as a 3 year old.
i disagree, zarkava beat goldikova in french 1000 guineas and french oaks, she smashed dar re mei in the vermille after missing the break 6 lengths and smashing the course record for it. she won her arc under hands and heels she was not a great filly she must be one of the most under rated arc winners ever. dar re mi was 3 1/2 down on sea the stars in his arc and trust me zarkava destryed her as easy as sea the stars did! i think with the weight allowance it would be a very interesting race
What a fantastic filly Zarkava was lumped on her on arc day and the wife even had a £5 ew on its gino at 200/1 which come dead heat 3rd great day all round
Lets not get carried away she wudnt of beaten sea the stars not over any distance on any course he won 6 group1s 4 of which were against the older horses without giving 100% he wud of beaten her by just doing enough like he did to everyone else. im not saying shes not a great filly but shes certainly not an all time great like he was.
disagree, if you watch Youmzain's run (or lack thereof) from 2:10 i think he could have had a 50/50 chance with Zarkava with daylight, youmzain ran second in the race the following year to STS, who beat him much more comprehensively..!
Lukestar249 A superb horse Zarkava , and i agree Youmzain would have got closer if not trapped on the rails , i could not stand Richard Hughes who should have won on Youmzain in a few other Group ones if it wasnt for his cocky hold up tactics , a brilliant horse Youmzain too i always felt .
