Zafeen

Last updated
Zafeen
Sire Zafonic
Grandsire Gone West
DamShy Lady
DamsireKaldoun
Sex Stallion
Foaled25 April 2000 [1]
CountryFrance
Colour Bay
Breeder Gainsborough Stud
OwnerJaber Abdullah
Trainer Mick Channon
Record11: 3-4-0
Earnings£342,967
Major wins
Mill Reef Stakes (2002)
St James's Palace Stakes (2003)

Zafeen (25 April 2000) was a French-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Trained in the United Kingdom, he showed good form as a two-year-old in 2002, winning two of his six races including the Mill Reef Stakes and finishing second in the Prix Morny. In the following year he finished second in the 2000 Guineas, won the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and was rated the best three-year-old over one mile in Europe and North America. He was retired to stud at the end of the year and had moderate success as a sire of winners.

Contents

Background

Zafeen is a "huge" [2] bay horse standing more than 16.2 hands high, [3] with a white coronet on his right hind foot, bred in France by Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Gainsborough Stud. He was sired by Zafonic, the best European two-year-old of 1992 who went on to win the 2000 Guineas in the following year. The best of Zafonic's other offspring included Xaar, and Zee Zee Top. [4] His dam Shy Lady was a Listed race winner in Germany and was descended from Shy Dawn, the dam of Opening Verse. [5] Zafeen began his racing career in the ownership of Jaber Abdullah and was trained at West Ilsley in Berkshire by Mick Channon.

Racing career

2002: two-year-old season

Zafeen began his racing career in a six furlong maiden race at Salisbury Racecourse on 5 July. He started the 5/6 favourite but was beaten half a length by Big Smoke after hanging badly to the left in the final furlong. Three weeks later over the same course and distance he started odds-on favourite for a similar event and recorded his first success, taking the lead a furlong out and winning by three and a half lengths. [6] In this race he was ridden by Steve Drowne who partnered him in his next seven races. Jaber Abullah's racing manager Joe Mercer described the winner as a "big, immature horse" who might need time to develop. [3]

Despite Mercer's comments, Zafeen was then sent to France and moved up sharply in class to contest the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville Racecourse on 25 August. Starting an 11/1 outsider in a six-runner field, he took the lead in the straight before being overtaken 200 metres from the finish and beaten three quarters of a length by Elusive City. On his return to England, Zafeen started 8/11 favourite for the Group Two Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury Racecourse on 20 September. His opponents included the Norfolk Stakes winner Baron's Pit and the Cherry Hinton Stakes runner-up Cassis. Before the race, Channon commented that the colt had "really thrived" since returning from France. [7] Zafeen raced in second place before taking the lead a quarter of a mile from the finish and won "readily" by three quarters of a length from Monsieur Bond with Cassis in third. [8]

On his last two starts of 2002, Zafeen ran in two of Britain's most prestigious races for juveniles. In the Middle Park Stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse he finished fifth of the ten runners behind Oasis Dream, after appearing to be outpaced in the closing stages. He was moved up to seven furlongs for the Dewhurst Stakes at the same track sixteen days later and ran fourth behind the 25/1 outsider Tout Seul.

2003: three-year-old season

Zafeen's three-year-old debut came in the Greenham Stakes (a trial race for the 2000 Guineas) over seven furlongs at Newbury. He took the lead a quarter of a mile from the finish before being overtaken by Muqbil in the final furlong and finishing second, one and a quarter lengths behind the winner. On 3 May the colt started a 33/1 outsider behind the favourite Hold That Tiger in a twenty-runner field for the 2000 Guineas over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket, with the other contenders including his previous rivals Muqbil, Tout Seul and Monsieur Bond. The colt briefly struggled to obtain a clear run a furlong out but finished strongly to take second place, three-quarters of a length behind the winner Refuse To Bend. [9] Three weeks later Zafeen was sent to Ireland for the Irish 2,000 Guineas on soft ground at the Curragh and started the 11/2 third favourite. He raced just behind the leaders until the last three furlongs but then dropped away and finished fifteenth of the sixteen runners behind Indian Haven, who won by a length from the Aidan O'Brien-trained France.

Darryll Holland took over from Drowne when Zafeen was one of eleven colts to contest the 158th running of the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on 17 June. The lightly-raced Heron Stakes winner Kalaman (later renamed Oriental Magic) started 5/2 favourite ahead of Clodovil (Poule d'Essai des Poulains), and Indian Haven with Zafeen Next in the betting on 8/1. The other runners included Hold That Tiger, Tout Seul, France, Martillo (Mehl-Mülhens-Rennen) and Statue of Liberty (Coventry Stakes). Holland positioned the colt behind the leaders as France led the field until the straight. Zafeen hung to the right a he began hi challenge a quarter of a mile out but recovered to overtake France approaching the final furlong and then held off the late run of Kalaman to win by a length. There was a gap of three lengths back to Martillo who took third ahead of Hold That Tiger and Clodovil. [10] The closing stages of the race where extremely rough, with several horses being badly hampered, but Zafeen avoided most of the trouble. The Independent's Richard Edmondson likened Zafeen to a man who had emerged from the toilet in the aftermath of a bar-room brawl and picked his way through the wreckage. [2] A "hyperventilating" Channon said "When he kicked I knew it would take a bloody good horse to beat him. I love winning anywhere but this is a bit special". [2] Channon also explained that the change in jockey had been on the insistence of Jaber Abdullah, saying "I feel sorry for Steve (Drowne). He did nothing wrong in Ireland, but that is the way it goes sometimes" and admitted that the colt's performance at the Curragh had left him and the stable team "scratching our heads" for an explanation. [11]

A week later, Channon said that the colt would be given a short break from racing, saying "He's been asked to go for everything up to now and deserves a rest". [12]

On his final appearance of the season, Zafeen was matched against older horses in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on 30 July. The race produced a five-way blanket finish, with Zafeen, having briefly led the field in the straight finishing fourth, beaten a head, a short head and a neck by Reel Buddy, Statue of Liberty and Norse Dancer, and a neck in front of Moon Ballad. He was subsequently transferred to the ownership of Godolphin but did not race again.

Assessment

In the International Classification for 2003 (which rated horses racing in Europe, North America and Japan), Zafeen was rated the best three-year-old over one mile and the equal twenty-eighth best racehorse of any age or sex. [13]

Stud record

Zafeen was retired from racing to become a breeding stallion for the Darley Stud. After being based at the Overbury Stud in Gloucestershire until October 2009 when he was sold privately to the Haras du Petit Tellier in Normandy. [14] His stud fee for 2015 was €7000.

He has not been particularly successful but has sired the Prix d'Arenberg winner This Time as well as the Listed winners Aventador (Prix Ridgway) and Son Cesio (Prix Hampton). [15]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Zafeen (FR), bay stallion, 2000 [1]
Sire
Zafonic (USA)
1990
Gone West (USA)
1984 
Mr. Prospector Raise a Native
Gold Digger
Secrettame Secretariat
Tamerett
Zaizafon (USA)
1982
The Minstrel (CAN) Northern Dancer
Fleur
Mofida (GB) Right Tack
Wold Lass
Dam
Shy Lady (FR)
1994
Kaldoun (FR)
1975
Caro (IRE) Fortino(FR)
Chambord (GB)
Katana Le Haar
Embellie
Shy Danceuse [sic] (FR)
1989
Groom Dancer (USA) Blushing Groom (FR)
Featherhill (FR)
Shy Princess (USA) Irish River (FR)
Shy Dawn (Family: 21-a) [5]

Related Research Articles

Generous (horse) Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Generous was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse who in 1991 won both the Epsom and the Irish Derby. As a two-year-old he won three of his six races, most notably the Dewhurst Stakes as a 50/1 outsider. He finished fourth in the 2000 Guineas on his three-year-old debut, but showed vastly improved form when moved up to longer distances in summer. In a period of seven weeks he won the Derby by five lengths, the Irish Derby by three lengths and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes by a record seven lengths. His performances established him as one of the outstanding British racehorses of his era. After running poorly in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe he was retired to stud, where his record was disappointing.

Tobougg Thoroughbred racehorse

Tobougg (1998–2018) was a thoroughbred racehorse and sire, who was bred in Ireland, but trained in England and Dubai during a racing career which lasted from 2000 to 2002. He was named European Champion Two-Year-Old Colt for 2000 at the Cartier Racing Awards. He was unbeaten in three starts in his championship season including two Group One races, the Prix de la Salamandre in France and the Dewhurst Stakes in England. He never won another race although he was placed in The Derby, the Champion Stakes and the Hong Kong Cup. He had some success as a breeding stallion and broodmare sire although he sired few major race winners.

Entrepreneur (horse) British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Entrepreneur was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from August 1996 to September 1997 he ran six times and won three races. After winning two of his three races in 1996 he won the 2000 Guineas on his first start as a three-year-old. Entrepreneur then started the shortest-priced Epsom Derby favourite for fifty years, but finished fourth. After another disappointing run in autumn he was retired to stud.

Xaar was a British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire, best known for his performances as a two-year-old in 1997. In his juvenile season, he won four of his five races, including the Prix de Cabourg and Prix de la Salamandre in France and the Dewhurst Stakes in England. In 1998, he won the Craven Stakes on his debut, but was beaten in his remaining three races. After two further defeats in 1999, he was retired to stud, where he had limited success as a sire of winners.

Al Kazeem British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Al Kazeem is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. He showed promise as a two-year-old in 2010 and became a consistently successful performer in the following year. In 2012 he won the Jockey Club Stakes on his seasonal debut but was then sidelined by injury for almost a year. In 2013 he won the Gordon Richards Stakes on his comeback and then took three consecutive Group One races: the Tattersalls Gold Cup, Prince of Wales's Stakes and Eclipse Stakes. After an unsuccessful spell at stud he returned to racing in 2014 to win the Winter Hill Stakes and finish a close second in the Champion Stakes. He began his 2015 season by winning the Prix d'Harcourt and went on to win a second Tattersalls Gold Cup before being retired for the second time in August.

Bigstone was an Irish-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. As a three-year-old he became the only French-trained horse to win both of Britain's most important all-aged mile races, the Sussex Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Unraced as a two-year-old, Bigstone raced fourteen times, winning five times in a racing career which lasted from March 1993 until November 1994. After his successes in England in 1993 he added two more Group One races in France as a four-year-old, winning the Prix d'Ispahan and the Prix de la Forêt. He was then retired to stud where he had mixed success as a sire of winners.

Milligram was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare, best known for her win over Miesque and Sonic Lady in the 1987 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. In a racing career which lasted from September 1986 until November 1987 she ran nine times and won four races. Apart from the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, she won the Coronation Stakes and Waterford Crystal Mile, as well as finishing second in the Prix Marcel Boussac, 1000 Guineas and Irish 1,000 Guineas. She was the highest-rated horse in the United Kingdom over one mile in 1987. Milligram was retired at the end of her three-year-old season and had some success as a broodmare.

Spectrum (horse) Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Spectrum was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a racing career which lasted from October 1994 until August 1996 he ran nine times and won four races. As a three-year-old in 1995 he won the Irish 2000 Guineas but was injured when starting second favourite for The Derby. Big John the bus driver took all odds down from 66/1 and was told by a good source that the horse was injured before it ran. He returned in autumn to win the Champion Stakes over ten furlongs at Newmarket. After a disappointing four-year-old season he was retired to stud where he became a successful sire of winners.

Excellent Art was a British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. As a two-year-old he was trained in England and showed good form, winning the National Stakes and the Mill Reef Stakes and being placed in both the Prix Morny and the Railway Stakes. In the following year he was moved in Ireland and was even better: he won the St James's Palace Stakes, finished second in the Sussex Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf and was rated one of the best three-year-old colts in the world. He was then retired to stud and had some success as a sire of winners before being exported to India in 2013.

Bijou d'Inde was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Bred in Hampshire and trained in Yorkshire he was a natural front-runner who was best at distances of around one mile. As a two-year-old he showed very good form, recording victories in the Acomb Stakes in England and the Futurity Stakes in Ireland. In the following year he was narrowly beaten in the 2000 Guineas before defeating very strong field in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. He then finished second in the Eclipse Stakes but was well beaten in his last eight races. He was retired at the end of the 1997 season and stood with little success as a breeding stallion in England, New Zealand and Turkey.

Ali-Royal was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. After winning one race as a two-year-old in 1995 he showed consistently good form as a three-year-old, winning the King Charles II Stakes and the Ben Marshall Stakes, but appeared to be just below top class. He reached his peak as a four-year-old in 1997, winning the Earl of Sefton Stakes on his seasonal debut and recording his biggest win in the Sussex Stakes on his final racecourse appearance. He retired with a record of seven wins and six places from sixteen starts. He stood as a breeding stallion in Ireland and Australia before dying in 2001 at the age of eight.

Reel Buddy was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire best known for his upset win in the 2003 Sussex Stakes. He was foaled in Kentucky, and was sold to race in England after initially failing to attract interest from American buyers. In his first two seasons he won four relatively minor races from eighteen starts, showing himself to be a good and consistent racehorse but some way below top class. As a four-year-old in 2002 he showed improved form, winning the Abernant Stakes, Spring Trophy and Hungerford Stakes. In the following year he was beaten in his first five races before producing a career-best performance on his thirty-third start to win the Sussex Stakes at odds of 20/1. He was retired to stud at the end of the year and was later exported to Greece. He has made little impact as a breeding stallion.

Pastoral Pursuits is a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was bred in Newmarket and sold for 24,000 guineas as a yearling. As a two-year-old he finished second on his debut but won his three remaining races including the Group Three Sirenia Stakes. His three-year-old campaign was abbreviated by injury but he added two major wins in the Hackwood Stakes and the Park Stakes. In 2005 he made only two appearances but recorded his most important victory when winning the Group One July Cup at Newmarket Racecourse. His racing career was ended by injury shortly afterwards and he was retired to stud. He has had some success as a sire of winners.

Seazun is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. In a racing career which lasted from April 1999 until September 2000 she won two of her ten races. As a two-year-old she was one of the best juvenile fillies of her generation, recording a victory over a strong field in the Cheveley Park Stakes after finishing second in the Sirenia Stakes. She failed to win in the following year but finished second in the Fred Darling Stakes and fourth in both the 1000 Guineas and the Irish 1,000 Guineas. Since her retirement from racing she has had some success as a dam of winners in Japan.

Armiger was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. As a two-year-old in 1992 he made an immediate impact, winning on his debut and then recording a six-length victory over a strong field in the Group One Racing Post Trophy. He was rated the best British juvenile of his generation. On his first appearance of 1993 he won the Chester Vase but lost his remaining four races but he did finish second in the Prix Lupin and the St Leger. At the end of his racing career he was retired to become a breeding stallion in Japan but had limited success as a sire of winners.

Tout Seul is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He is best known for his performances as a two-year-old in 2002 when he won five of his seven races including the Shergar Cup Juvenile, Tattersalls Breeders Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes, as well as finishing second in the Two-Year-Old Trophy. In the following year he failed to win in six races but finished fourth in the 2000 Guineas and third in the Irish 2000 Guineas. In 2004 he recorded his first victory in eighteen months when he won the Leicestershire Stakes but was well beaten in his remaining races and was retired at the end of the year.

Zieten was an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Trained in France as a juvenile he was unbeaten in four races including the Prix La Flèche, Prix d'Arenberg and Middle Park Stakes. In the following year he took his unbeaten run to five in the Prix de Fontainebleau but was beaten in six subsequent races. As a four-year-old he raced in Japan and England and recorded a final big win in the Challenge Stakes. He was then retired to stud and had some success as a breeding stallion.

Mail The Desert was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. As two-year-old in 2002 she ran seven times in just over three months, winning the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes in Ireland as well as finishing second in the Prestige Stakes. In the following year she failed to win in three starts but was placed third in the Coronation Stakes. As a broodmare she produced five winners before dying in 2015 at the age of fifteen.

Cityscape (horse) British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Cityscape is a British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire, who raced in England, Ireland, Hong Kong, France, Dubai, Canada and Italy and was twice rated among the top 40 racehorses in the world.

Zee Zee Top is a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She did not race until the autumn of her three-year-old season when she won a minor race on her debut and then finished second in the Severals Stakes. In the following year she showed top-class form to win the Middleton Stakes and Prix de l'Opéra as well as being placed in the Pretty Polly Stakes and Nassau Stakes. As a broodmare she produced Izzi Top and Jazzi Top.

References

  1. 1 2 "Zafeen pedigree". Equineline. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  2. 1 2 3 Richard Edmondson (18 June 2003). "Channon elated as Zafeen escapes Palace roughhouse". The Independent .
  3. 1 2 Neil Morrice (27 July 2002). "Salisbury: Zafeen makes amends for unlucky defeat". Racing Post.
  4. "Zafonic Stud Record". Racing Post.
  5. 1 2 "Wagtail – Family 21-a". Thoroughbred Bloodlines.
  6. "Phil Small Marquees Maiden Stakes result". Racing Post. 26 July 2002.
  7. Richard Edmondson (20 September 2002). "Zafeen ready to justify Channon's high praise". The Independent .
  8. "Mill Reef Stakes result". Racing Post. 20 September 2002.
  9. "2000 Guineas result". Racing Post. 3 May 2003.
  10. "St James's Palace Stakes". Racing Post. 17 June 2003.
  11. "Zafeen scores for Channon". Teesside Gazette . 17 June 2003.
  12. "Channon gives Zafeen gets midseason break". Irish Examiner . 25 June 2003.
  13. 2003 International Classification
  14. Bloodstock staff (30 October 2009). "Zafeen sold to Haras du Petit Tellier". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015.
  15. "Zafeen – Stud Record". Racing Post.