A few weeks ago, we lost thoroughbred champion Genuine Risk, who caused a cultural sensation in 1980 by beating the boys in that year’s Kentucky Derby.
Could a 3-year-old European filly step into her shoes as the girl who can beat the boys?
Undefeated in six (now seven) starts, Zarkava clobbered the boys and older, more experienced, horses in Europe’s richest and most celebrated horse race, the Arc , more formally known as The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Sponsored by the nation of Qatar, which has boosted the purse, it is now the second richest horse race in the world at $5.58 million. The richest is the Dubai World Cup. But The Arc was a legendary race and a desired win before Qatar sweetened the pot.
A campaign by a group of American’s to win The Arc was a plot-line in Jane Smiley’s novel “Horse Heaven.” One of my favorite books, as listed to the right.
Check out Zarkava’s break-from-the-pack victory on this video: Zarkava wins the Arc
The Arc is a mile and a half, the same distance as the third jewel in the US Triple Crown The Belmont Stakes, but run on turf (grass.) The homestretch in such a race is a test of endurance.
That a filly races with colts and older horses is rare. For her to win, rarer still.
Tags: ", " Zarkava, "Horse Heaven, "The Arc
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