WRITTEN IN THE STARS

By Sean Cronin

Fast approaching a silver jubilee of time served in the trenches, there remains nothing which acts as such an effective catalyst for in-house discussion and disagreement as our beloved niche, TDN’s Rising Stars. Genius is 1% talent and 99% hard work. So said Einstein. I don’t suppose he gave that one a second thought, though his words perfectly illustrate the backstory of notable achievements in almost any sphere. However, for this publication’s signature product, there is no small measure of luck required too.

TDN Rising Stars allow readers to identify a race winner in the first few starts of his or her career who will, in our estimation, go on to be a Graded Stakes winner. Designated as Rising Stars by the worldwide TDN staff after a careful and comprehensive review of many factors – including the quality of the field, margin and time of victory, pedigree, sales price and more – Rising Stars are tabbed as such in a maiden, allowance or Listed Stakes race.

The Awow factor caveat remains an unwritten aspect of the mantra, of course, but it is implied and has been a constant from day one. It’s a struggle to recall when Europe first made contribution to the honour roll, archaeology points to a period circa 2004, and while recollections of that season remain foggy in parts, the year’s freshest memories lurk later in the piece.

 

ARC CHAMP ZARKAVA FOALS FRANKEL FILLY

Undefeated champion Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar), who was a French highweighted filly at two and from 9 1/2-14 furlongs at three, foaled a filly by Frankel (GB) on Apr. 14, The Aga Khan Studs announced on Monday. A full-sister to French listed winner and G1 Prix Vermeille third Zarkamiya (Fr) (Frankel {GB}), the bay is also a half-sister to G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud hero and G1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Zarkamiya produced her first offspring, a Medaglia d’Oro filly, earlier this spring, while Zarak is covering his third full book of mares at Haras de Bonneval. The dam of 11 straight foals, the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine has a 3-year-old filly by Siyouni (Fr), a Sea The Stars (Ire) juvenile colt called Zaskar (Fr), and a yearling filly by Dubawi (Ire).

 

https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/pdf/tdn/tdn200421e.pdf