Filly becomes new two-year-old Group winner for Zarak. Gestut Schlenderhan’s homebred Shagara became the first Group winner from Zarak’s third crop of two-year-olds when winning the Gr.3 Preis der Winterkonigin on Sunday.

In an exciting finish, Shagara battled hard to prevail by a head in the prestigious juvenile contest at Baden Baden.

“She has the heart of a lion and fought incredibly hard,” said winning rider Andrasch Starke. “She was really strong at the finish and what a racehorse she is.” Trainer Markus Klug added: “It’s crazy what a fighter’s heart Shagara has. She put in so much effort to win and now she will take her well-deserved winter break.”

Gestut Schlenderhan’s general manager Gebhard Apelt continued: “She wasn’t in the best position at first and it is very rare to see a two-year-old fight like that.”

Zarak is the sire of 19 Stakes horses this season, with 8% Stakes winners to runners so far in 2023.