[1] Zarkava made two starts as a two-year-old at Longchamp Racecourse, her home base in Paris for trainer Alain de Royer-Dupré.

In 2008, she made her three-year-old debut in April at Longchamp with a win in the Group 3 Prix de la Grotte.

Even though it was her first race against colts and many questioned her ability to win after her tardy start in the Prix Vermeille, Zarkava was the betting favorite leading up to the Arc, and made a powerful stretch drive to become the first filly in fifteen years to win the race.

The Aga Khan noted in a video interview posted on the website of the Daily Telegraph that they had been working since the Prix Vermeille to get this quirky filly to leave from a state of relaxation in the gate and run in a more relaxed mode at the start of her races instead of getting all tied up.

In the interview, he also stated that his daughter, Princess Zahra, was deeply involved in the breeding of Zarkava, as well as the Aga Khan's other horses.

2011 Zarkash (FR), a bay colt by Sea The Stars (IRE) foaled February 11.

[8] 2014 Zarmitan (FR), a bay colt by Redoute's Choice (AUS) foaled March 10.

This was significantly higher than the official rating, but Phil Smith, the senior British Horseracing Authority handicapper, explained that it was like comparing apples and oranges.

We're also constantly updating our list of the 50 top horses, and she is joint-second (with Duke Of Marmalade) on 127, only 3lb behind the top-rated, Curlin.