Zaaki Retired

Tara Madgwick - Saturday March 30

Just days after the news of Think It Over’s retirement comes the announcement of another great warrior calling it a day with Zaaki (GB) set to begin a new chapter of his life after finding fame and fortune in Australia with Annabel Neasham.

Zaaki in full flight - image Grant Courtney

Bred by Lanwades Stud, the son of Leroidesanimaux was a 40,000gns purchase for Ahmad Alotaibi out of the Staffordstown draft at the 2016 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

Zaaki won the Group III York Strensall Stakes at York, Group III Diomed Stakes at Epsom and the Listed Paradise Stakes at Ascot when trained by Sir Michael Stoute and was then offered for sale as a tried horse and purchased for 150,000gns by Blandford Bloodstock / Annabel Neasham Racing at the 2020 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale.

Advertisement

He blossomed in Australia winning four Group I races and retires with earnings topping $10million.

Zaaki was a life changer for his owners - image Grant Courtney

Advertisment
More Reading...
Yulong Winner at Otaki
Yulong has wasted little time in making a mark on New Zealand racing this spring, and those emerald green and white colours were carried to another feature-race win by Azeezle in Sunday’s Levin Truck Services Levin Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
2025 Japan Cup Winner - Aga Khan Gelding a World Beater
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who has taken giant strides in 2025 to become the Cartier European Horse of the Year and on Sunday he achieved the almost unthinkable with a history making win in the Group I Japan Cup (2400m).
Pierata Half-Brother To Slipper Winner Fireburn Breaks Maiden
While it may have taken until his fifth start to break his maiden, 3yo Pierata colt Kilbrannan has pedigree on his side and with the step up to 1300m, the Gary Portelli trained colt impressed at Newcastle on Sunday when breaking his maiden for Laurel Oak Bloodstock and partners.
Toronado Mare Springs a Surprise in Jungle Dawn Classic
Quality Toronado daughter Toropa upset her more fancied rivals and showed a blistering turn of foot to take the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic over 1400m, the second leg of The Pinnacles Mares Series at the Ascot carnival.
A Third Hollindale Stakes for Ten Million Dollar Earner Zaaki
Annabel Neasham's magnificent Zaaki (GB) returned triumphantly to the Sunshine Coast on Saturday to earn his third consecutive win in the $500,000 Group II Tab A.D. Hollindale Stakes (1800m).
Zaaki (GB) Back To Where It All Began
Twelve months after announcing himself to Australia with a facile win in the Group II Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast, Zaaki (GB) returned to the scene on Saturday to defend his title as arguably the best horse in the land.
15 Saturday Stakes Races Out of Season
Last Saturday in Australia there were an astonishing 15 stakes races run in a time period most trainers see as being out of season, barring the Perth Summer Carnival, when we consider that our elite horses are programmed towards spring and autumn, so what is going on?
What a Class Act - Zaaki Claims the All-Star Mile
The Anabel Neasham-trained Zaaki (GB) left few in doubt that he was the best horse in Saturday’s $5million Seppelt Wines All-Star Mile at Flemington.
Reliable Man Bargain Buy Wins Cromwell Cup
Peachy Keen capped a super-consistent spring campaign with a last-gasp victory in Sunday’s $50,000 Happy Hire Cromwell Cup (2030m).
Zaaki Defends His Champions Stakes Title
Gifted an uncontested lead and back on his favoured firm surface, Zaaki (GB) defended his title in Saturday’s $3,000,000 Group 1 Tab Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.