7 May 2023
Photo scoopdyga.com
Sunday, May 7th, 2023, ParisLongchamp Racecourse (Paris). - Haya Zark (Zarak) won the Prix Exbury (Gr3) in March for his comeback and over 1m2f, but he failed on the same distance in the Prix d'Harcourt (Gr2). Nevertheless, the Odette Fau homebred started as the favourite in the €80,000 Prix d'Hédouville (Gr3), despite carrying an extra 2lbs. On a ground deemed yielding, the 4-year-old colt dominated clearly after letting the reigning champion Mutabahi (French Fifteen) lead the dance and then passing him on the rail's side into the last straight to overcome the other fancied horse, Kertez (Intello), over this 1m4f affair. Kertez had just finished third in the Prix Exbury and in the Prix d'Harcourt behind Simca Mille and Iresine, two leading Group 1 horses.
Know Thyself (Galileo) finished a respectable third, two lengths behind.
Promising at 3, Haya Zark finished fourth in the Prix Greffulhe (Gr2) won by the champion Onesto (Frankel) last year. Out since July, he was returning in the Prix Exbury. Haya Zark is out of Haya City (Elusive City), who could not win in three outings. Haya Zark is his first winner. His second dam, Haya Samma (Pivotal), did not race. At stud, She gave the good Haya Landa (Lando), third in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Gr1) and in the Prix de la Nonette (Gr2) and second in the Prix Allez France (Gr3), and also Haya of Fortune (Soldier of Fortune), third in a Critérium de l'Ouest (L). A filly by Zarak was born in 2020.