Kazzia
Encyclopedia
Kazzia is a retired German-bred Thoroughbred
racehorse, best known for being the only filly since 1990 to successfully complete the Classic double of the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks. She was the first German-bred horse to win a British Classic.
as an "angular filly" was bred in Germany by Roswitha Grunewald. She was sired by the British-bred stallion Zinaad, winner of the Jockey Club Stakes
, out of the German mare Khoruna, making her a half-sister to the Schwarzgold-Rennen
winner Kimbajar. She was originally sent into training at the Bremen
stable of Andreas Wöhler.
. She was then immediately stepped up to Group race
company, traveling to Milan
's San Siro Racecourse for the Premio Dormello. She proved herself to be a useful staying filly, catching the English-trained Kootenay a furlong
from home and pulling away to win by two and a half lengths.
Her performance attracted the attention of the Godolphin team who were in Milan to watch Kutub run in the Gran Premio del Jockey Club
. According to Simon Crisford, "Sheikh Mohammed was very impressed with the filly and liked her a lot so he made an offer to the owners." Kazzia was sent to join Saeed bin Suroor at the Godolphin winter base in Dubai.
winner Silent Honor. She was primarily regarded as a staying prospect and attracted attention as a possible Oaks winner, but Sheikh Mohammed
insisted on sending her straight for the 1,000 Guineas, taking on specialist milers on fast ground. Sent off a 14-1 outsider in "dismal" conditions, Kazzia raced prominently, took the lead a furlong
out, and stayed on strongly to beat Snowfire by a neck. Her rider, Frankie Dettori
felt that the filly had done very well, particularly as she was essentially a stayer- "She really wants more than a mile."
winner, Islington. Adapting well to the conditions, Kazzia went off in front and by the two-furlong pole all her opponents were struggling except for the Irish-trained Quarter Moon. Both fillies stayed on strongly, but Kazzia prevailed by half a length, with the rest of the field, including the disappointing Islington, beaten by at least fourteen lengths. The conditions were so testing that the winning time of 2:44.52 was the slowest since 1964. After the race Goldolphin's racing manager Simon Crisford spoke confidently of the filly's future: "The Triple Crown dream is alive... there's no reason why the St Leger isn't a possibility."
Kazzia had a twelve week break before the Yorkshire Oaks
which was run on much firmer ground. Her unbeaten run came to an end as she proved no match for Islington and faded into fourth place. Kazzia's connections felt that she may have been under-prepared for the race. Crisford expressed the view that they had "been a little bit too easy with her", while Richard Edmondson, writing in the Independent described her as looking "soft as putty".
, where her stamina would have been a major strength, but a foot abscess forced her late withdrawal, and she was re-routed to the Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park
. Carrying 118 lbs on soft ground, Kazzia'a stamina once again came to the fore, as she led from the start and held off the strong late run of the French-trained Turtle Bow by a neck, with the leading American mares Starine
and England's Legend well beaten. Godolphin's American assistant trainer called Kazzia "a very game and honest filly" and a decision was made to pay a $90,000 supplementary charge to run her in the Breeders' Cup at Arlington Park
.
On her final racecourse appearance, Kazzia showed uncharacteristic signs of temperament, when reluctant to enter the stalls for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. She led the field into the straight but faded to finish sixth, beaten just under three lengths, behind Starine.
Her retirement was announced in November, shortly after the Cartier Racing Awards ceremony.
winner Bright Sky
She was assessed at 121 by Timeform
.
. She made an immediate impact as a broodmare, her first foal being the Dubai Sheema Classic
winner Eastern Anthem, by Singspiel
.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse, best known for being the only filly since 1990 to successfully complete the Classic double of the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks. She was the first German-bred horse to win a British Classic.
Background
Kazzia, described by TimeformTimeform
Timeform Publications is a publishing company in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England founded in 1948 to provide information to fans, bettors, and others involved in the horse racing industry...
as an "angular filly" was bred in Germany by Roswitha Grunewald. She was sired by the British-bred stallion Zinaad, winner of the Jockey Club Stakes
Jockey Club Stakes
The Jockey Club Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs at Newmarket, and the final part of the race is on the Rowley Mile...
, out of the German mare Khoruna, making her a half-sister to the Schwarzgold-Rennen
Schwarzgold-Rennen
The Schwarzgold-Rennen is a Group 3 flat horse race in Germany open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Cologne-Weidenpesch Racecourse over a distance of 1,600 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
winner Kimbajar. She was originally sent into training at the Bremen
Bremen
The City Municipality of Bremen is a Hanseatic city in northwestern Germany. A commercial and industrial city with a major port on the river Weser, Bremen is part of the Bremen-Oldenburg metropolitan area . Bremen is the second most populous city in North Germany and tenth in Germany.Bremen is...
stable of Andreas Wöhler.
2001: two-year-old season
Kazzia began her career in September 2001 by winning a minor race at HoppegartenHoppegarten
Hoppegarten is a municipality in the district Märkisch-Oderland, in Brandenburg, Germany.-History:The actual municipality was created in 2003 when the former municipalities of Hönow and Münchehofe were united with Dahlwitz-Hoppegarten...
. She was then immediately stepped up to Group race
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
company, traveling to Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
's San Siro Racecourse for the Premio Dormello. She proved herself to be a useful staying filly, catching the English-trained Kootenay a furlong
Furlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....
from home and pulling away to win by two and a half lengths.
Her performance attracted the attention of the Godolphin team who were in Milan to watch Kutub run in the Gran Premio del Jockey Club
Gran Premio del Jockey Club
The Gran Premio del Jockey Club is a Group 1 flat horse race in Italy which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at San Siro, Milan, over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.Past winners of the event include Tenerani and...
. According to Simon Crisford, "Sheikh Mohammed was very impressed with the filly and liked her a lot so he made an offer to the owners." Kazzia was sent to join Saeed bin Suroor at the Godolphin winter base in Dubai.
Spring
Whilst still in Dubai, Kazzia reportedly showed promise when finishing a close second in a private trial race to the Cherry Hinton StakesCherry Hinton Stakes
The Cherry Hinton Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July....
winner Silent Honor. She was primarily regarded as a staying prospect and attracted attention as a possible Oaks winner, but Sheikh Mohammed
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , also Sheikh Mohammed, , is the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates , and absolute monarch of Dubai.-Personal life and education:...
insisted on sending her straight for the 1,000 Guineas, taking on specialist milers on fast ground. Sent off a 14-1 outsider in "dismal" conditions, Kazzia raced prominently, took the lead a furlong
Furlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....
out, and stayed on strongly to beat Snowfire by a neck. Her rider, Frankie Dettori
Frankie Dettori
Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE is an Italian horse racing jockey and celebrity. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races.. He has had many successes in his role of stable jockey to Godolphin Racing...
felt that the filly had done very well, particularly as she was essentially a stayer- "She really wants more than a mile."
Summer
The Oaks, a month later, was run on unusually soft ground, and promised to be a test of stamina. Kazzia was made favourite at 100-30, although there was strong support for the Musidora StakesMusidora Stakes
The Musidora Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 88 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
winner, Islington. Adapting well to the conditions, Kazzia went off in front and by the two-furlong pole all her opponents were struggling except for the Irish-trained Quarter Moon. Both fillies stayed on strongly, but Kazzia prevailed by half a length, with the rest of the field, including the disappointing Islington, beaten by at least fourteen lengths. The conditions were so testing that the winning time of 2:44.52 was the slowest since 1964. After the race Goldolphin's racing manager Simon Crisford spoke confidently of the filly's future: "The Triple Crown dream is alive... there's no reason why the St Leger isn't a possibility."
Kazzia had a twelve week break before the Yorkshire Oaks
Yorkshire Oaks
The Yorkshire Oaks is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
which was run on much firmer ground. Her unbeaten run came to an end as she proved no match for Islington and faded into fourth place. Kazzia's connections felt that she may have been under-prepared for the race. Crisford expressed the view that they had "been a little bit too easy with her", while Richard Edmondson, writing in the Independent described her as looking "soft as putty".
Autumn
It was still intended that Kazzia should run in the St LegerSt. Leger Stakes
The St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.Established in 1776, the St. Leger...
, where her stamina would have been a major strength, but a foot abscess forced her late withdrawal, and she was re-routed to the Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
. Carrying 118 lbs on soft ground, Kazzia'a stamina once again came to the fore, as she led from the start and held off the strong late run of the French-trained Turtle Bow by a neck, with the leading American mares Starine
Starine
Starine was a French Thoroughbred racehorse foaled in Orne who competed in France and in the United States. She made her racing debut for owner/breeder Catherine Dubois in June 1999 and on July 16, 1999 got her first win in the Prix des Edelweiss at Aix-les-Bains racecourse. After winning the...
and England's Legend well beaten. Godolphin's American assistant trainer called Kazzia "a very game and honest filly" and a decision was made to pay a $90,000 supplementary charge to run her in the Breeders' Cup at Arlington Park
Arlington Park
Arlington Park is a horse race track in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Illinois. Horse racing in the Chicago region has been a popular sport since the early days of the city in the 1830s, and at one time Chicago had more horse racing tracks than any other major metropolitan area...
.
On her final racecourse appearance, Kazzia showed uncharacteristic signs of temperament, when reluctant to enter the stalls for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. She led the field into the straight but faded to finish sixth, beaten just under three lengths, behind Starine.
Her retirement was announced in November, shortly after the Cartier Racing Awards ceremony.
Race record
| Date | Race | Dist (f) | Course | Class | Prize (£K) | Odds | Runners | Placing | Margin | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rennen de Howoge | 7 | Berlin-Hoppegarten | M | 1 | 31/10 | 7 | 1 | 1.25 | 1:26.50 | Eduardo Pedroza | Andreas Wöhler | |
| Premio Dormello Premio Dormello The Premio Dormello is a Group 3 flat horse race in Italy which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at San Siro, Milan, over a distance of 1,600 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.... |
8 | San Siro Racecourse | 3 | 53 | 11 | 1 | 2.25 | 1:41.62 | Fernando Jovine | Andreas Wöhler | ||
| 1,000 Guineas | 8 | Newmarket-Rowley Newmarket Racecourse The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping... |
1 | 174 | 14/1 | 17 | 1 | Neck | 1:37.85 | Frankie Dettori Frankie Dettori Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE is an Italian horse racing jockey and celebrity. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races.. He has had many successes in his role of stable jockey to Godolphin Racing... |
Saeed Bin Suroor Saeed bin Suroor Saeed bin Suroor , is a horse racing trainer. Formerly a policeman, he took out his training license in 1994 and the following year was appointed as the trainer for Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation.... |
|
| Oaks Epsom Oaks The Oaks Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early June.... |
12 | Epsom Epsom Downs Racecourse Epsom Downs is a Grade 1 racecourse near Epsom, Surrey, England. The "downs" referred to in the name are part of the North Downs. The course is best known for hosting the Epsom Derby, the United Kingdom's premier thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old colts and fillies, over a mile and a half... |
1 | 203 | 100/30 | 14 | 1 | .5 | 2:44.52 | Frankie Dettori Frankie Dettori Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE is an Italian horse racing jockey and celebrity. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races.. He has had many successes in his role of stable jockey to Godolphin Racing... |
Saeed Bin Suroor Saeed bin Suroor Saeed bin Suroor , is a horse racing trainer. Formerly a policeman, he took out his training license in 1994 and the following year was appointed as the trainer for Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation.... |
|
| Yorkshire Oaks Yorkshire Oaks The Yorkshire Oaks is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.... |
12 | York York Racecourse York Racecourse is a horse racing track in the southwest of the city of York in North Yorkshire, England with a spectator capacity of 60,000. The most famous race to be held at York on an annual basis is the Ebor Handicap, which is run during the Ebor Festival meeting in August... |
1 | 145 | 7/4 | 11 | 4 | 5.5 | 2:26.74 | Frankie Dettori Frankie Dettori Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE is an Italian horse racing jockey and celebrity. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races.. He has had many successes in his role of stable jockey to Godolphin Racing... |
Saeed Bin Suroor Saeed bin Suroor Saeed bin Suroor , is a horse racing trainer. Formerly a policeman, he took out his training license in 1994 and the following year was appointed as the trainer for Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation.... |
|
| Flower Bowl Invitational Handicap | 9 | Belmont Park Belmont Park Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905... |
1 | 308 | 3.05/1 | 9 | 1 | Neck | 2:05.22 | Jorge F. Chavez Jorge F. Chavez Jorge F. Chavez is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.Chavez began his career in horse racing in 1982 in his native Peru and by 1987 was his country's leading rider. In April 1988 he emigrated to the United States where he raced with a great deal of success at Florida race tracks... |
Saeed Bin Suroor Saeed bin Suroor Saeed bin Suroor , is a horse racing trainer. Formerly a policeman, he took out his training license in 1994 and the following year was appointed as the trainer for Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation.... |
|
| Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf The Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for fillies and mares, three years old and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships.... |
10 | Arlington Park Arlington Park Arlington Park is a horse race track in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Illinois. Horse racing in the Chicago region has been a popular sport since the early days of the city in the 1830s, and at one time Chicago had more horse racing tracks than any other major metropolitan area... |
1 | 480 | 10.2/1 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 2:03.57 | Jorge F. Chavez Jorge F. Chavez Jorge F. Chavez is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.Chavez began his career in horse racing in 1982 in his native Peru and by 1987 was his country's leading rider. In April 1988 he emigrated to the United States where he raced with a great deal of success at Florida race tracks... |
Saeed Bin Suroor Saeed bin Suroor Saeed bin Suroor , is a horse racing trainer. Formerly a policeman, he took out his training license in 1994 and the following year was appointed as the trainer for Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation.... |
|
Assessment
Kazzia was named European Champion Three-Year-Old Filly at the Cartier Racing Awards, although in the 2002 International Classification her rating of 119 placed her one pound behind Islington and the Prix de DianePrix de Diane
The Prix de Diane, sometimes referred to as the French Oaks, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies...
winner Bright Sky
She was assessed at 121 by Timeform
Timeform
Timeform Publications is a publishing company in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England founded in 1948 to provide information to fans, bettors, and others involved in the horse racing industry...
.
Stud career
Kazzia was retired to her owner's Darley StudDarley Stud
Darley Stud is a Thoroughbred breeding operation owned by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and vice-president of the United Arab Emirates. Darley breeds horses in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Dubai, Japan and Australia....
. She made an immediate impact as a broodmare, her first foal being the Dubai Sheema Classic
Dubai Sheema Classic
The Dubai Sheema Classic is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Arab Emirates open to thoroughbreds which are four-years-old or above. It is run over a distance of 2,400 metres on the turf track at Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, and it takes place annually during the Dubai World Cup Night in...
winner Eastern Anthem, by Singspiel
Singspiel (horse)
Singspiel was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse. The Bay horse was out of the Eclipse Award winner and Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame mare, Glorious Song...
.