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Champion Zarkava Produces Siyouni Colt

Undefeated G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) foaled a Siyouni (Fr) colt at Sheshoon Stud in Ireland on Apr. 16, The Aga Khan Studs announced on Wednesday. The bay is the 12th progeny of the remarkable mare and a full-brother to listed winner Zaykava (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}).

According to Pat Downes, who manages The Aga Khan Studs in Ireland, the colt is “an attractive, correct colt with plenty of quality. He has a lot of presence.”

A winner of two French filly Classics and another two Group 1s in her seven-start career, Zarkava's best progeny is the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud hero Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), who has his first 2-year-olds this year, while Zarkava also has the black-type winner and G1 Prix Vermeille third Zarkamiya (Fr) (Frankel {GB}).

Still to come is an 3-year-old colt named Zaskar (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), a juvenile filly by Dubawi (Ire) named Zarka (Fr) and a yearling filly by Frankel (GB). She will be covered by Lope de Vega (Ire).

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Pilot Study on Stud Farm Environmental Impact Launched

A pilot study to focus on the environmental impact of stud farms was launched by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) and the Racing Foundation on Thursday, Apr. 22, Earth Day.

The purpose of the study, started by the TBA's Environmental Sustainability Working Group and funded by the Racing Foundation, will assess the impact of two stud farms in different regional locations. The Environmental Sustainability Work Group, founded in November of 2020 after the passing of the Agriculture Bill by the UK Government, aims to collaborate with industry professionals on grassland management practices that enhance air and water quality, improve soil health, mitigate flood risk and increase biodiversity, while also reducing the carbon footprint of stud farms. After the study is finished, the project's results and recommendations will be utilised by the Environmental Sustainability Work Group to encourage environmentally sustainable practices and provide guidance to those managing pasture for equines who wish to access government funding via the Environmental Land Management Scheme in the UK.

Julian Richmond-Watson, Chairman of the TBA said, “This study reinforces the TBA's commitment to improve the industry's long-term sustainability and develop positive environmental changes on stud farms. As a low input sector with active carbon sequestration in paddocks, it is very likely that stud managers will have solid foundations on which to introduce new protocols and technologies. Also, where farms are densely located it may also be possible to achieve biodiversity gains with bordering properties to bring about more significant changes across a landscape. The new Environmental Land Management Scheme presents opportunities to improve local ecosystems and habitats on stud farms whilst also rewarding good practice with financial assistance.

“We are extremely thankful to the Racing Foundation for their support with this project and look forward to sharing updates with breeders as we progress to enable them to make informed decisions on how they can best improve their landscapes.”

Rob Hezel, Chief Executive of the Racing Foundation added, “At the Racing Foundation, our mission is to be a catalyst for improvement in the horseracing industry through our grant giving activity.

“The Racing Foundation made a commitment in its 2021-2023 strategy to seek opportunities to support environmental sustainability alongside people, equine welfare and community engagement.

“We are therefore pleased to grant £20,000 to the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association to assess the environmental impact of stud farms and further the industry's understanding of issues fundamental to the long-term prosperity of racing.”

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Rob Havlin Cops 21-Day Ban

Jockey Rob Havlin was banned for three weeks by the Lingfield stewards after finishing second aboard John and Thady Gosden's 16-1 second string Stowell (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}) on Wednesday evening. The Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 535 Novice S. was won by fellow Gosden trainee Polling Day (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) with Frankie Dettori in the irons as the 2-9 crowd's pick. Havlin's mount met with some traffic throughout the race, but was making up ground while under a conservative ride to miss by a head. There was a stewards' inquiry into the finish as they felt Stowell had been given “an apparently tender hands and heels ride” entering the straight.

According to Havlin, his instructions were “to settle the colt and ride him to obtain his best possible position. [Stowell] was a fragile type who had a high knee action, and that John Gosden had instructed him to ride the colt hands and heels and not to use his whip.” From the jockey's point of view, he stated that the winner had idled in front and “therefore it appeared that Stowell had finished faster than he actually had.”

The stewards reported that the trainers' representative said they were satisfied with the ride and pleased with Stowell's debut effort. However, they ruled that Havlin had not taken all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure Stowell obtained his best placing possible. Havlin's ban lasts from May 5-8 and May 10-26.

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Wensleydale to Be Tested at Parislongchamp

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features 'TDN Rising Star' Wensleydale (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

4.20 ParisLongchamp, Cond, €35,000, 3yo, f, 8fT
WENSLEYDALE (GB) (Frankel {GB}) bids to justify TDN Rising Star status having impressed for Juddmonte and Henri-Francois Devin on debut over this trip at Saint-Cloud 15 days ago. The daughter of the G3 Ballyogan S. winner Divine (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) encounters solid yardsticks in the G3 Prix Six Perfections and G3 Prix d'Aumale third Coeursamba (Fr) (The Wow Signal {Ire}) and the G3 Prix des Reservoirs third Sky Sister (Fr) (Maxios {GB}), as well as the Fabre homebred Alula Borealis (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), a half-sister to the smart Arapaho (Fr) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) who scored on debut at Fontainebleau last month.

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