30th birthday celebrations for Zamindar

Zamindar celebrated his 30th birthday on Sunday 7th April 2024, enjoying a special cake including his favourite treats.

Zamindar, sire of the outstanding Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Zarkava, retired from stud duties at the age of 19 (2013) and continues to live life to the full at Banstead Manor Stud in Newmarket.

The Juddmonte homebred, a full-brother to Zafonic, was trained in France by Andre Fabre and stamped himself as one of the best two-year olds of his generation to win the Group 3 Prix de Cabourg and finish a close second to Bahamian Bounty in the Prix Morny.

With fewer than 700 foals from 13 crops of racing age, Zamindar produced more than 50 black-type performers, headed by the unbeaten European Horse of the Year and Classic winner Zarkava. 

Described by UK General Manager, Simon Mockridge as “a grand servant, and a pleasure to be around”, the son of Gone West retired to Banstead Manor Stud in 1998 and spent two seasons at Marablue Farm in Florida in 2001 and 2002. Success in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches in 2002 for his daughter Zenda (dam of Kingman) prompted a return to Europe and he has remained in Newmarket for the last 11 seasons.

Zamindar enjoyed notable success through his fillies, which include the aforementioned unbeaten dual Classic heroine Zarkava, while the Aga Khan also owned and bred his treble Group 1 winner Darjina, who, like Zenda, triumphed in the French equivalent of the 1,000 Guineas.

Juddmonte’s homebred Group 1 winners by Zamindar include Passage Of Time’s half-sister Timepiece, who won the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes for Sir Henry Cecil, while David Smaga trained Group 2 winner Modern Look, a half-sister to Foreteller. Zamindar’s affiity with the French turf continues through Coquerelle, trained by Jean-Claude Rouget to win the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary. Among his best colts is Rail Link’s half-brother Crossharbour, the winner of three Group races for Fabre.