owned by H Downs & D LooneyZAFISIO
4 year old bay colt: Efisio - Goldthroat
owned by H Downs & D Looney
Follow this link to see Zafisio's career in the Racing Post form database: RACING POST FORM
Zafisio (right) securing his Group 1 win at St Cloud in 2008
Nov09: Finally, finally got the ground he loves so very ate in the year, and the patience of the summer drew it's just reward with a Group 3 double in St Cloud's Prix Perth and Frankfurt's Hessen Pokal. The latter was a close run thing, as the course had been drying all week, and we were possibly the only people glad to see some heavy rain appear just as the meeting started. Zafisio responded positively to it as well, and as he tends to do whatever it takes to win and no more, further success at a higher level is perfectly possible, as it looks likely that he will remain in training next year.
Sep09: Went to Ireland in search of mud, and nearly got what he wanted. In a strong Group 3, he ran a sound race, finishing third having not quite handled the tactics of the opposition. A very good effort that sets him up nicely for a follow up. If anyone spots a suitable race, let us know, because it is not in the programme book.
Jun09: Went to the French Derby at Chantilly for race number two of the season. The expected easy going turned out to be quite quick, but we hoped that a very thick sward of grass would cancel that out. Alas, as Zafisio slumbered, the course not only went out and mowed it quite short, but then rolled it to beat the green stuff into complete submission. He ran OK under the circumstances, but at that level, Zafisio will need a bit of huice in the ground to be competitive.
May09: Due to a conspiracy of circumstance, he was forced to make his seasonal debut in the German 2000 Guineas, but he ran a superb race, even though he was forced to lead to ensure a good pace. When taken on up front he battled like suspended forward trying to get back on the Lions' tour, but ultimately the lack of a warm-up, and perhaps ground a bit faster than stated, caught him out. Zafisio also jinked a couple of times in the home straight, which also harmed his chances, and was fairly uncharacteristic. With this under his belt, we can consider some serious targets at the top level, with the ground, as ever, being a big factor on where he turns out. The supplemental entry fee for the Irish 2,000 Guineas was a bit excessive, so Plan A is the French Derby.
Apr09: As of the 27th, he is still in the big one at Newmarket, and we would love to run, but the prospect of suitable ground is receding faster than a hypochondriac's convention from a Mexican Swine Flu outbreak. The next option is the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on May 10th.
Mar09: Zafisio remains in the 2000 Guineas, but he really does need soft ground, and that is an unlikely prospect for Newmarket, so he will more likely be our first classic runner* on the continent, where the French and German equivalents are more likely to offer up the going that he needs. He has wintered well and is obviously an exciting prospect for the coming season. Ground permitting, his reappearance will be in the Greenham, and the longer term target is the Dante - weather like last year's Ebor meeting at York would not go amiss.
* Purists tend to discount the Classic Kitchens Handicap Hurdle.
Dec08: Raced six times in 2008, winning three, culminating in the Group 1 Criterium International at Saint Cloud, the other wins being at Ayr and in a listed race at Goodwood.