7 April 2024
Photo scoopdyga.com
Sunday, 7 April 2024, ParisLongchamp Racecourse (Paris) – Winning five consecutive races for owner Jean-Claude Seroul last year at 3, including the Prix Frédéric de Lagrange (L) at Vichy and La Coupe de Marseille (L), Zarakem (Zarak) was subsequently sold for €500,000 at the Arc sale to Nicolas Bertran de Balanda for the Écurie Sofiane Benaroussi and Haras d'Étreham. Following this, the horse finished 6th in the Prix du Conseil de Paris (Gr2) over 1m3f.
175 days later, he tried his luck again at ParisLongchamp, but over 1m2f and on a very heavy turf in the €130,000 Prix d’Harcourt (Gr2), the final step towards the €300,000 Prix Ganay (Gr1), the first Group 1 of the French season, in three weeks.
Well-placed in fifth during the race, the 4-year-old colt moved forward to challenge and take over Birr Castle (Cloth of Stars), the early challenger, and Horizon Doré (Dabirsim), who came from the last position in the middle of the course. He steadily outpaced his two rivals, showing great courage to hold off Horizon Doré, who had the advantage of having already made a seasonal return.
Zarakem finally won by one and a half lengths ahead of Horizon Doré with Birr Castle 3rd, less than a length behind. The favourite Feed the Flame (Kingman) tried to gain ground on the inside but couldn't maintain his effort.
🏆 Zarakem (@maximeguyon_off) triomphe dans le Prix d'Harcourt (Gr.2) !
— Equidia (@equidia) April 7, 2024
Jérôme Reynier (@EcurieReynier) inscrit son nom au palmarès de cette épreuve pour la 3⃣ème fois après Skalleti en 2021 et 2022.
🥈 Horizon Doré
🥉 Birr Castle pic.twitter.com/6CxeDySIhC
The winner was bred in Calvados by Jean-Paul Cayrouze. His dam Harem Mistress (Mastercraftsman) did not race, and Zarakem is her 2nd foal. He was sold for €85,000 as a yearling to Alain Décrion and Mandore Agency for Jean-Claude Seroul. The 2nd dam is twice Group 3 placed and there is a lot of black type under the 3rd dam.
Following Zarakem, Harem Mistress produced Ouro Preto (Wootton Bassett), still a maiden after four starts, the 2-year-old filly Rabbit’s Foot (Golden Horde), in training with François Rohaut, and a yearling filly by Victor Ludorum.