The regally-bred Zarak, out of champion racemare Zarkava and by Dubawi, lived up to his lofty pedigree on Thursday with an effortless Group 3 victory at Meydan.

Zarak was tucked in behind the leaders in fourth position for much of the ten furlong contest, whose name honours the memory of his paternal grandfather Dubai Millennium. His jockey Christophe Soumillon barely had to release an inch of reins at the entrance to the final straight, for Zarak to cruise into the lead before being eased down to pass the post a length and three quarters ahead of his nearest rival.

Runner-up in the Gr.1 Prix du Jockey Club behind European champion Almanzor at three years old, Zarak was making his seasonal debut and first outing on foreign soil. His performance holds great promise for his future four-year-old campaign.

Trainer Alain de Royer Dupré commented after the win, “to be fit for a Group 3 and to be fit for a Group 1 are not the same thing. He didn’t blow after the race. He has a turn of foot, and he has learned a lot here. It was good for him. We have many options now. »

Zarak is entered in both the Gr.1 Dubai Turf over 1800 metres and the mile and a half Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic, which was won by Dolniya (Azamour) two years ago, at the Dubai World Cup meeting on 25th March.

Zarak’s dam, the unbeaten Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Zarkava, currently has a yearling colt by Invincible Spirit. She is expecting a foal by Haras de Bonneval sire Siyouni and is due to visit Sea The Stars at Gilltown Stud for her 2017 covering.