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The Jacqueline vs Becket debate goes on. I am fascinated. Some of the opinions expressed in Horsetalk are well thought out. I have been learning a lot. The key is to disagree agreeably. We will all be richer for the experience.
Zarkava wrote the first chapter on female domination. In 2008, she went through a campaign without tasting defeat. The culmination was her sparkling charge down the never-ending Longchamp stretch that brought her a popular victory in the prestigious Arc de Triomphe. The Aga Khan-owned filly was sent to the breeding shed. Zarkava has a baby. It is a girl. Dalakhani, the winner of the 2003 Arc carrying the Aga Khan’s colors, is the father. The filly was born on February 6. In 2010, Zarkava will be covered by Sea The Stars.
Pat Downes, manager of Gilltown Stud in Ireland, noted, “The filly is a lovely individual. She is correct, strong and full of quality. It was a straight forward foal and Zarkava is a good mother. The filly is a good size for a first foal.”
Zarkava is by Zamindar who is by Gone West. Zarkava’s dam is Zarkasha. Dalakhani is a son of Darshaan. Darshaan’s father is Shirley Heights. Dalakhani’s mother is Daltawa by Miswaki.
Gary Tanaka owned horses in America and in Europe. He won several big races. Tanaka has been given a five-year jail sentence on fraud charges. Tanaka and his former partner, Alberto Vilar, were convicted in November 2008 for stealing from investors in their technology-based funds. Tanaka has 60 days to report to prison. No decision has been taken on whether an appeal will be lodged.
Tanaka owned Rakti, the top miler in Europe in 2004 and 2005. He campaigned Gourmet Girl, the Eclipse winner in the older female category in 2001. Tanaka’s Golden Apples was the Eclipse-winning turf female in 2002. Proudinsky, Sarafan and King’s Drama carried Tanaka’s colours.
Edmund Gann’s Medaglia d’Oro won several Grade I races. Medaglia d’Oro was twice second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and was the bridesmaid to Pleasantly Perfect in the 2004 Dubai World Cup. Rachel Alexandra’s sire is Medaglia d’Oro.
Edmund Gann is dead at 86. He got into the horse-owning business when a debtor settled his due with a horse. Gann was in the fishing business. Over the years, Gann owned Peace Rules, Denon, Filago and Midas Eyes. He won the 1988 Japan Cup with Pay The Butler.
I had the privilege of talking to Mr Gann at a desert party before the World Cup in Dubai in 2004. He was polite. The media would mot leave him alone. He was patient.
Here is some unhappy news. Curlin’s first foal has been euthanized less than a month after birth. Zophie by Hawkster was the dam. A paddock accident on January 24 prompted the decision.
Jimmy Fortune will ride as a freelancer this season. Jockey Fortune lost his contract with John Gosden. Fortune received several offers including one from Andrew Balding. He turned them all down. William Buick is Gosden’s retained jockey for the 2010 season.
“I think and hope, I have made the right decision. Andrew Balding is one of many I’ll ride for. It will be tough. I am fit. At 37, I don’t see why I do not have another 15 years of race-riding in me. That’s of course, if I can stay injury-free,” Fortune said.
Fortune was the rider for Raven’s Pass in 2008. He was aboard the John Gosden trainee when victorious in the QE II Mile at Ascot in late September. A ban kept him out when the Breeders’ Cup was run at Santa Anita in late October. Frankie Dettori rode Raven’s Pass to an upset victory over Henrythenavigator and Curlin in the Classic.
Mrs (Dr) Vilasini and Dr K K Jayaraman’s Summer Bird was voted the top three year-old boy in 2009. The Jayaramans won their first Eclipse award. Summer Bird won the Belmont Stakes, the Travers and the Jockey Club Gold Cup. In the BC Classic, Summer Bird ran fourth. An injury forced Summer Bird out of the Japan Cup.
Summer Bird’s trainer was Tim Ice who also had other horses belonging to the Jayaramans. Ice is based in Oaklawn Park, Arkansas. On February 9, in a move that took the US racing establishment by surprise, Dr Jayaraman took all the horses away from Ice. Summer Bird will go to Tim Ritchey whose claim to fame is Afleet Alex, winner of the Preakness and the Belmont in 2005. Richey trains in the mid-Atlantic region. Other Jayaraman horses will go to other trainers.
Dr Jayaraman gave a brief explanation. “The communication between me and (trainer) Ice is not very good. It has come to the point that we had to move the horses from him.”
Ice is now left with six horses. “I have six horses now and will have to rebuild. I am in a list of trainers that the doctor has hired and fired. I think the reason is that we have not done well at the Oaklawn Park meeting and one of the horses suffered a life-ending injury. I wish Summer Bird well. He will win some big ones this year, I’m confident,” Ice commented.
There was an earthquake in Illinois on Wednesday. Houses shook and objects fell in neighbourhoods hardly five-six miles from where I live. I have not heard from my friend who is taking care of the house. No news is good news.
Poor weather and heavy snowfall are causing a lot of problems. Highways are closed. Government offices are shut. Congress has stopped functioning. Racetracks in the Midwest and the Maryland region have abandoned their programs. There is no light at the end of the tunnel. Another big snowstorm is being forecast for next week.
I am in Chennai. It is a different world. I am catching up and the short hiatus should help everyone recharge for the action ahead.
