| ZAFONIC | ||
| br h by Gone West out of Zaizafon, by The Minstrel. | ||
| Foaled: 1990 | ||
| Trainer: Andre Fabre | ||
| Stood at Stud: Juddmonte Farms, at Banstead Manor in Newmarket | ||
Zafonic
by Lee-Ann Day,
Zafonic , won five of his seven career starts and £374,713 prize money. He was European champion at two and three years.
Humans have a fascination for wild things. The untamed in them reminds us of our own yearning to be free. Thoroughbred racehorses inhabit a place where the wild things are, constantly breaching the fine line between the wild and the domestic. Although we bend them to our will it is their indomitable spirit that we most love and would never seek to tame. Sadly it is sometimes this same spirit that brings about their deaths.
The news was broken on Sunday 8th September 2002 that Zafonic had died in a freak accident while on stud duty at Arrowfield Stud in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales. Arrowfield Chairman John Messarra said, "Obviously we are deeply shocked at this loss, we had been thrilled to be given the care of this stallion by Juddmonte Farms for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season."
This accident happened just three weeks after the 12 year old had been shipped to Australia to operate as a shuttle stallion and he had covered only four mares since his release from quarantine last week. He was the first stallion that Banstead Manor had shuttled to Australia.
Zafonic died instantly when he broke his neck as he fell over the top of a gate to his paddock. Juddmonte Farms General Manager Philip Mitchell said that the accident occurred as he went into a gallop and headed straight towards the gate, hitting and literally rolling over it and falling the other side. He further said that, "The post mortem was that he broke his neck and also fractured his pelvis which in turn ruptured a major artery. It was instant but it's the most awful thing that could have happened. I think he'd been at Arrowfield for a week and he'd covered four mares. Obviously I feel sorry for everyone at Arrowfield. It's not a nice thing to witness and everyone here is totally devastated."
"He'd been a horse who had been with us for eight seasons and he'd become a friend so it was shattering news to say the least. It was so out of character for the horse to head for the gate like that."
Zafonic was a tall and imposingly built Bay bred and owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah and raced in his familiar pink, green and white silks. The big strong colt was ridden brilliantly by Pat Eddery throughout his career.
That Zafonic was adored there is no doubt, he was a favourite from the start from a family long in the possession of Juddmonte Farms. Zafonic had an older brother Zamindar who stood at Banstead Manor until being exported to Florida. Zamindar is still owned by Juddmonte and is famous in 2002 for having sired the Prince Khalid homebred Zenda, the winner of the French 2000 Guineas.
Zafonic won four Group 1s which included the Prix Morny, the Prix De La Salamandre and a four-length victory in the Dewhurst Stakes that earned him the place of the shortest priced winter favourite for the 2,000 Guineas for 40 years.
He lost his two year old unbeaten record on his first start at three when short-headed by Kingmambo in the Prix Djebel. He had put up a very brave performance on ground that was far too soft for him. He then returned to Newmarket for the Guineas where he proved his talent beyond doubt. He will always be remembered as one of the most outstanding winners of the 2,000 Guineas in 1993 when he and Pat scorched home lowering the Newmarket Rowley Mile track record that had stood since 1948. On that day he beat Barathea by three and a half lengths and for those who do not remember, Barathea went on to win the Irish 2,000 Guineas and to pulverize his victims in the Breeders Cup Mile, a stage where few British horses make the grade. It was a remarkable performance and scenes in the Winners Enclosure were jubilant. Channel 4 television presenter John McCririck had championed the horse and after his win he got down on his knees in front of Prince Khalid Abdullah. Later McCririck was presented with one of the horse's shoes made into a silver ashtray.
Zafonic was expected to establish himself among the great milers but sadly on his next start in the Sussex Stakes the horse bled and he was then immediately retired to Prince Abdullah's stud.
His victory in the Guineas was described as awesome, and it is a word which remained in use for him throughout his stud career by those who knew and worked with him. He had enormous presence and loved his fans and admirers. Prince Khalid Abdullah held an Open Day for members of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association at Juddmonte Farms in May of 2002 and Zafonic took centre stage amongst a small galaxy of very good looking stallions. It was a warm and sunny day and as he did his star turns for the cameras his coat gleamed and you could just make out the little dapples on his hind quarters. Although it is generally not a good idea to applaud where Thoroughbred horses tread, the assembled crowd could not resist a light applause for him and he took it all in his stride. It was clear that not only was he a fine example of the Thoroughbred racehorse but he was also much loved by Juddmonte and he in turn was a well balanced and trusting horse. The death was described as a "shattering blow" to Khalid Abdullah's breeding operation as they have lost not only one of its best-known racehorses but also a friend.
Mitchell said: "Zafonic was awesome on the day he won the Guineas. He was an awesome horse just to be around. He sired Xaar in his first crop and we'd had a lot of success with him. This was the first time we had shuttled a horse to Australia but we felt he should be given the opportunity. Arrowfield is an extremely high profile farm and we were delighted to be involved."
Abdullah was at Longchamp to see Banks Hill run second in the Prix du Moulin. His racing manager, Teddy Beckett, said: "It is a very sad day for us and it is easy to forget what fantastic races Zafonic won."
Remembering the colt on Sunday, trainer Andre Fabre said: "It's really sad to lose a horse so young."
"He was a fantastic horse and so easy to train. He gave us so much pleasure. You rarely see a horse on the bridle with two furlongs to go in the 2,000 Guineas. It was a fantastic race. It was certainly one of my great victories as a trainer."
Zafonic had a dream beginning to his stud career when he was first season European sire in 1997 due to his brilliant and beautiful son Xaar. Xaar followed in his Fathers footsteps by winning the Dewhurst Stakes by 12 lengths and emaining the winter favourite for the Guineas. Sadly he did not win it and although he was purchased by Godolphin he had some problems and did not progress as much as expected but went on to take 2nd behind Compton Admiral in the 1999 Eclipse. Xaar himself is now a sire under the Darley banner with the advertisement line that runs, "Some horses make you dream…." Having sons at stud is a sign of success for a stallion and in this Zafonic has not failed as Xaar has enjoyed much patronage. Other than his high class offspring Zafonic was also noted for getting tough consistent handicappers such as the sprint star Undeterred.
There is no doubt that Zafonic led a very happy and carefree life amongst people who took the greatest care with him. The only regret is that his life was cut short by this terrible accident. He had begun to make a name for himself as a sire of colts but it was still early to tell if he would make a mark as a broodmare sire. He deserves to be remembered and it is hoped that the offspring he has left behind will ensure that we do not forget him.
Progeny - some of the best known include:
Xaar - Mar 1995 Bay Horse
Out of Monroe by Sir Ivor.
Owned and bred by Prince Khalid Abdullah. Sold to Godolphin, stands under the Darley banner at stud.
Won the Prix de la Salamandre like his sire, and the Dewhurst by 12 lengths. The field that day was a top class one with the brilliant champion sprinter Tamarisk in 2nd, champion miler Desert Prince in 4th and Daggers Drawn and Central Park further back. Suffered with leg problems following that but put in good efforts behind very classy horses. He came 3rd to Swain and Alborada in the 1998 Irish Champion Stakes, 3rd to Lear Spear and Fantastic Light in the Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot in June 1999 and finally 2nd by a neck to Compton Admiral in July 1999 in the Eclipse. He was retired to stud because of the leg problems.
Clearing - Feb 1998 - Jun 2001 Bay Colt
Out of Bright Spells by Alleged.
Owned an bred by Khalid Abdullah, trained by John Gosden
Chased home Golan in a hot Chepstow 2 year old maiden. Golan subsequently won the next years 2,000 Guineas in spectacular fashion. Clearing missed this race in favour of the French version, the Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp, where he came 3rd by two short heads to Vahorimix and Noverre. He won the European Free Handicap and Grp3 Horris Hill Stakes. Thought to be a cracking miler he was being prepared for the St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot when he shattered a hind pastern in his final workout on the gallops and had to be put down.
Undeterred - Mar 1995 Chestnut Gelding
Out of Mint Crisp by Green Desert.
Bred by Deerfield Farm, originally owned by S. Fustok and trained by Chris Wall. Now owned by Peter Savill, trained by David Nicholls.
Began racing in 1998 and has put in a few years now. Has been an unlucky 2nd by short heads in decent handicaps and not won for awhile. Races in blinkers and is a large handsome racehorse similar in looks, but not colour, to his sire.
Dupont - Apr 1999 Bay Colt
Out of June Moon by Sadler's Wells.
Owned and bred by Wentorth Racing, trained by William Haggas
Won the Italian/German 2000 Guineas double in 2002 under Daryl Holland swooping late and fast. At Cologne he beat the 6/10 favourite Next Desert.
Maybe Forever -Apr 1999 Brown Filly
Out of Easy Option by Prince Sabo
Owned and bred by Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum, trained by C. Laffon-Parias in France.
Won the Prix de Saint George Grp3, beaten a neck in the Prix du Gros-Chere Grp2.
Zipping - Feb 1999 Bay Colt
Out of Zelda by Caerleon
Owned by R C Strauss, bred by Kilfrush Stud, trained by Robert Collet in France.
Won the Prix de Ris-Orange Grp3, the Prix Robert Papin Grp2 and came 4th to Rock of Gibraltar in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket beaten only 4 lengths.
Count Dubois - 1998 Bay Colt
Out of Madame Dubois by Legend of France
Owned by Wentworth Racing, bred by Cliveden Stud, trained by William Haggas
Closely related to Daggers Drawn the 2 yo winner of the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster and the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood from the family of high class Milly Moss. Count Dubois came 3rd in the Tattersalls Houghton Sales Stakes to Mozart, won the Gran Criterium Grp1, and then was 3rd to Street Cry and Noverre in the UAE 2,000 Guineas at Nad Al Sheba.
Endless Summer - Jan 1998
Out of Well Away by Sadler's Wells.
Owned and bred by Prince Khalid, trained by John Gosden.
From the family of Slightly Dangerous (Dam of Warning and Dushyantor) and sister to Dewhurst winner Scenic.
Won the Grp2 Richmond Stakes and came 2nd in the Grp1 Prix Morny, the same race won by Zafonic.
Bloodstock expert Tony Morris made the following tribute to Zafonic in the Racing Post following his death.
Zafonic a big loss to English stallion ranks by Tony Morris
ALTHOUGH Zafonic's racing career ended abruptly and disappointingly, he was still able to retire as a dual European champion, and as a big, powerfully-built son of the Mr Prospector horse Gone West, he was widely regarded as a potentially important addition to the English stallion ranks.
The arrival in his first crop of the brilliant Xaar, who emulated his sire as Europe's champion two-year-old and was again among the leaders of his crop at three, inevitably enhanced his reputation, and three-figure books became the norm at his owner's Banstead Manor Stud, near Newmarket.
Yet the follow-up to Xaar did not realise expectations. Zafonic got above-average stock regularly enough, and sired at least one Pattern winner from each of his first five crops, but there were no real stars among them; the only one to win at Group 1 level was Count Dubois, who took a weakly-contested Gran Criterium in Milan.
There were a number of promising youngsters who failed to progress, and the death last year of Clearing (winner of the Horris Hill Stakes and runner-up in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains) robbed him of the runner who had seemed capable of restoring his reputation.
Zafonic still did not lack patronage, and at a fee reduced from £30,000 to £20,000 last year he covered 139 mares.
The unwritten law that says success follows automatically on a sire's death, will probably ensure that a champion emerges from the foals he left behind.
As the record stands, Zafonic has a dozen individual winners of 18 European Pattern races.
The best of his 2002 performers have been Dupont, who landed the Italian/German 2,000 Guineas double, and French Group 3 scorers Maybe Forever (Prix de Saint-Georges) and Zipping (Prix de Ris-Orangis).
Humans have a fascination for wild things. The untamed in them reminds us of our own yearning to be free. Thoroughbred racehorses inhabit a place where the wild things are, constantly breaching the fine line between the wild and the domestic. Although we bend them to our will it is their indomitable spirit that we most love and would never seek to tame. Sadly it is sometimes this same spirit that brings about their deaths.
The news was broken on Sunday 8th September 2002 that Zafonic had died in a freak accident while on stud duty at Arrowfield Stud in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales. Arrowfield Chairman John Messarra said, "Obviously we are deeply shocked at this loss, we had been thrilled to be given the care of this stallion by Juddmonte Farms for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season."
This accident happened just three weeks after the 12 year old had been shipped to Australia to operate as a shuttle stallion and he had covered only four mares since his release from quarantine last week. He was the first stallion that Banstead Manor had shuttled to Australia.
Zafonic died instantly when he broke his neck as he fell over the top of a gate to his paddock. Juddmonte Farms General Manager Philip Mitchell said that the accident occurred as he went into a gallop and headed straight towards the gate, hitting and literally rolling over it and falling the other side. He further said that, "The post mortem was that he broke his neck and also fractured his pelvis which in turn ruptured a major artery. It was instant but it's the most awful thing that could have happened. I think he'd been at Arrowfield for a week and he'd covered four mares. Obviously I feel sorry for everyone at Arrowfield. It's not a nice thing to witness and everyone here is totally devastated."
"He'd been a horse who had been with us for eight seasons and he'd become a friend so it was shattering news to say the least. It was so out of character for the horse to head for the gate like that."
Zafonic was a tall and imposingly built Bay bred and owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah and raced in his familiar pink, green and white silks. The big strong colt was ridden brilliantly by Pat Eddery throughout his career.
That Zafonic was adored there is no doubt, he was a favourite from the start from a family long in the possession of Juddmonte Farms. Zafonic had an older brother Zamindar who stood at Banstead Manor until being exported to Florida. Zamindar is still owned by Juddmonte and is famous in 2002 for having sired the Prince Khalid homebred Zenda, the winner of the French 2000 Guineas.
Zafonic won four Group 1s which included the Prix Morny, the Prix De La Salamandre and a four-length victory in the Dewhurst Stakes that earned him the place of the shortest priced winter favourite for the 2,000 Guineas for 40 years.
He lost his two year old unbeaten record on his first start at three when short-headed by Kingmambo in the Prix Djebel. He had put up a very brave performance on ground that was far too soft for him. He then returned to Newmarket for the Guineas where he proved his talent beyond doubt. He will always be remembered as one of the most outstanding winners of the 2,000 Guineas in 1993 when he and Pat scorched home lowering the Newmarket Rowley Mile track record that had stood since 1948. On that day he beat Barathea by three and a half lengths and for those who do not remember, Barathea went on to win the Irish 2,000 Guineas and to pulverize his victims in the Breeders Cup Mile, a stage where few British horses make the grade. It was a remarkable performance and scenes in the Winners Enclosure were jubilant. Channel 4 television presenter John McCririck had championed the horse and after his win he got down on his knees in front of Prince Khalid Abdullah. Later McCririck was presented with one of the horse's shoes made into a silver ashtray.
Zafonic was expected to establish himself among the great milers but sadly on his next start in the Sussex Stakes the horse bled and he was then immediately retired to Prince Abdullah's stud.
His victory in the Guineas was described as awesome, and it is a word which remained in use for him throughout his stud career by those who knew and worked with him. He had enormous presence and loved his fans and admirers. Prince Khalid Abdullah held an Open Day for members of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association at Juddmonte Farms in May of 2002 and Zafonic took centre stage amongst a small galaxy of very good looking stallions. It was a warm and sunny day and as he did his star turns for the cameras his coat gleamed and you could just make out the little dapples on his hind quarters. Although it is generally not a good idea to applaud where Thoroughbred horses tread, the assembled crowd could not resist a light applause for him and he took it all in his stride. It was clear that not only was he a fine example of the Thoroughbred racehorse but he was also much loved by Juddmonte and he in turn was a well balanced and trusting horse. The death was described as a "shattering blow" to Khalid Abdullah's breeding operation as they have lost not only one of its best-known racehorses but also a friend.
Mitchell said: "Zafonic was awesome on the day he won the Guineas. He was an awesome horse just to be around. He sired Xaar in his first crop and we'd had a lot of success with him. This was the first time we had shuttled a horse to Australia but we felt he should be given the opportunity. Arrowfield is an extremely high profile farm and we were delighted to be involved."
Abdullah was at Longchamp to see Banks Hill run second in the Prix du Moulin. His racing manager, Teddy Beckett, said: "It is a very sad day for us and it is easy to forget what fantastic races Zafonic won."
Remembering the colt on Sunday, trainer Andre Fabre said: "It's really sad to lose a horse so young."
"He was a fantastic horse and so easy to train. He gave us so much pleasure. You rarely see a horse on the bridle with two furlongs to go in the 2,000 Guineas. It was a fantastic race. It was certainly one of my great victories as a trainer."
Zafonic had a dream beginning to his stud career when he was first season European sire in 1997 due to his brilliant and beautiful son Xaar. Xaar followed in his Fathers footsteps by winning the Dewhurst Stakes by 12 lengths and emaining the winter favourite for the Guineas. Sadly he did not win it and although he was purchased by Godolphin he had some problems and did not progress as much as expected but went on to take 2nd behind Compton Admiral in the 1999 Eclipse. Xaar himself is now a sire under the Darley banner with the advertisement line that runs, "Some horses make you dream…." Having sons at stud is a sign of success for a stallion and in this Zafonic has not failed as Xaar has enjoyed much patronage. Other than his high class offspring Zafonic was also noted for getting tough consistent handicappers such as the sprint star Undeterred.
There is no doubt that Zafonic led a very happy and carefree life amongst people who took the greatest care with him. The only regret is that his life was cut short by this terrible accident. He had begun to make a name for himself as a sire of colts but it was still early to tell if he would make a mark as a broodmare sire. He deserves to be remembered and it is hoped that the offspring he has left behind will ensure that we do not forget him.
Progeny - some of the best known include:
Xaar - Mar 1995 Bay Horse
Out of Monroe by Sir Ivor.
Owned and bred by Prince Khalid Abdullah. Sold to Godolphin, stands under the Darley banner at stud.
Won the Prix de la Salamandre like his sire, and the Dewhurst by 12 lengths. The field that day was a top class one with the brilliant champion sprinter Tamarisk in 2nd, champion miler Desert Prince in 4th and Daggers Drawn and Central Park further back. Suffered with leg problems following that but put in good efforts behind very classy horses. He came 3rd to Swain and Alborada in the 1998 Irish Champion Stakes, 3rd to Lear Spear and Fantastic Light in the Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot in June 1999 and finally 2nd by a neck to Compton Admiral in July 1999 in the Eclipse. He was retired to stud because of the leg problems.
Clearing - Feb 1998 - Jun 2001 Bay Colt
Out of Bright Spells by Alleged.
Owned an bred by Khalid Abdullah, trained by John Gosden
Chased home Golan in a hot Chepstow 2 year old maiden. Golan subsequently won the next years 2,000 Guineas in spectacular fashion. Clearing missed this race in favour of the French version, the Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp, where he came 3rd by two short heads to Vahorimix and Noverre. He won the European Free Handicap and Grp3 Horris Hill Stakes. Thought to be a cracking miler he was being prepared for the St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot when he shattered a hind pastern in his final workout on the gallops and had to be put down.
Undeterred - Mar 1995 Chestnut Gelding
Out of Mint Crisp by Green Desert.
Bred by Deerfield Farm, originally owned by S. Fustok and trained by Chris Wall. Now owned by Peter Savill, trained by David Nicholls.
Began racing in 1998 and has put in a few years now. Has been an unlucky 2nd by short heads in decent handicaps and not won for awhile. Races in blinkers and is a large handsome racehorse similar in looks, but not colour, to his sire.
Dupont - Apr 1999 Bay Colt
Out of June Moon by Sadler's Wells.
Owned and bred by Wentorth Racing, trained by William Haggas
Won the Italian/German 2000 Guineas double in 2002 under Daryl Holland swooping late and fast. At Cologne he beat the 6/10 favourite Next Desert.
Maybe Forever -Apr 1999 Brown Filly
Out of Easy Option by Prince Sabo
Owned and bred by Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum, trained by C. Laffon-Parias in France.
Won the Prix de Saint George Grp3, beaten a neck in the Prix du Gros-Chere Grp2.
Zipping - Feb 1999 Bay Colt
Out of Zelda by Caerleon
Owned by R C Strauss, bred by Kilfrush Stud, trained by Robert Collet in France.
Won the Prix de Ris-Orange Grp3, the Prix Robert Papin Grp2 and came 4th to Rock of Gibraltar in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket beaten only 4 lengths.
Count Dubois - 1998 Bay Colt
Out of Madame Dubois by Legend of France
Owned by Wentworth Racing, bred by Cliveden Stud, trained by William Haggas
Closely related to Daggers Drawn the 2 yo winner of the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster and the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood from the family of high class Milly Moss. Count Dubois came 3rd in the Tattersalls Houghton Sales Stakes to Mozart, won the Gran Criterium Grp1, and then was 3rd to Street Cry and Noverre in the UAE 2,000 Guineas at Nad Al Sheba.
Endless Summer - Jan 1998
Out of Well Away by Sadler's Wells.
Owned and bred by Prince Khalid, trained by John Gosden.
From the family of Slightly Dangerous (Dam of Warning and Dushyantor) and sister to Dewhurst winner Scenic.
Won the Grp2 Richmond Stakes and came 2nd in the Grp1 Prix Morny, the same race won by Zafonic.
Bloodstock expert Tony Morris made the following tribute to Zafonic in the Racing Post following his death.
Zafonic a big loss to English stallion ranks by Tony Morris
ALTHOUGH Zafonic's racing career ended abruptly and disappointingly, he was still able to retire as a dual European champion, and as a big, powerfully-built son of the Mr Prospector horse Gone West, he was widely regarded as a potentially important addition to the English stallion ranks.
The arrival in his first crop of the brilliant Xaar, who emulated his sire as Europe's champion two-year-old and was again among the leaders of his crop at three, inevitably enhanced his reputation, and three-figure books became the norm at his owner's Banstead Manor Stud, near Newmarket.
Yet the follow-up to Xaar did not realise expectations. Zafonic got above-average stock regularly enough, and sired at least one Pattern winner from each of his first five crops, but there were no real stars among them; the only one to win at Group 1 level was Count Dubois, who took a weakly-contested Gran Criterium in Milan.
There were a number of promising youngsters who failed to progress, and the death last year of Clearing (winner of the Horris Hill Stakes and runner-up in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains) robbed him of the runner who had seemed capable of restoring his reputation.
Zafonic still did not lack patronage, and at a fee reduced from £30,000 to £20,000 last year he covered 139 mares.
The unwritten law that says success follows automatically on a sire's death, will probably ensure that a champion emerges from the foals he left behind.
As the record stands, Zafonic has a dozen individual winners of 18 European Pattern races.
The best of his 2002 performers have been Dupont, who landed the Italian/German 2,000 Guineas double, and French Group 3 scorers Maybe Forever (Prix de Saint-Georges) and Zipping (Prix de Ris-Orangis).
