Zamindar Passes Away; Sire of the Unforgettable Zarkava and a Key Pillar for Juddmonte

It occurred at the age of 32 at Banstead Manor Stud; in addition to producing the undefeated Arc champion, he left a profound mark as a broodmare sire of star figures such as Kingman, New Bay, and Zarak

BANSTEAD MANOR, England (Special for Turf Diario).— European turf lost one of its most influential stallions of recent decades with the passing of Zamindar, who died at the age of 32, as confirmed this Friday by Juddmonte. Retired from breeding duties since 2013, the son of Gone West spent practically his entire stallion career at Banstead Manor Stud, where he forged a legacy that widely transcended his own direct offspring.

Bred by Juddmonte in Kentucky and trained by André Fabre, Zamindar demonstrated high quality from age two, winning his first two career starts, including the Prix de Cabourg (G3), before finishing second by a mere neck in the Prix Morny (G1). He was also third in the Prix de la Salamandre (G1) and, as a three-year-old, recorded his best placing by finishing second in the Prix de Ris-Orangis (L). He retired with two victories from seven lifetime appearances.

A full brother to the extraordinary Zafonic—winner of the 2,000 Guineas (G1) and himself a prominent stallion—Zamindar embarked on his reproductive career in 1998 and went on to produce 35 stakes winners, headlined by the legendary Zarkava, the undefeated heroine of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) and one of the greatest fillies of the 21st century.

He was also the sire of other top-flight winners such as Darjina, Timepiece, Zenda, and Coquerelle, but perhaps his greatest long-term impact has come as a broodmare sire. Outstanding among his grandsons are the champion Kingman(Invincible Spirit), New Bay (Dubawi), and Zarak (Dubawi)—the latter produced precisely out of Zarkava and now established as one of the most promising young stallions in Europe.

"It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Zamindar after 28 years at Banstead Manor. He will always be remembered for his imposing presence, but above all for his extraordinary character. He was a very special horse to everyone who worked with him, and he will be missed enormously," expressed Simon Mockridge, Juddmonte's general manager in the United Kingdom.

While he never quite reached the glittering numbers of other elite stallions of his generation in terms of total stakes winners, the genetic influence of Zamindar remains fully alive through several of the most valuable female lines in international racing, securing him a permanent place in the history of modern breeding.