Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov purchases Dubai World Cup contender Zazou
Ramzan Kadyrov, president of Chechnya, purchased the German horse, Zazou, from the previous owner Werner Heinz on 29th March, 2012. The runner will be representing Germany in the Dubai World Cup but under previous registration,
as they cannot be changed under short notice. He will be racing with the odds of 11 to 1 in the Dubai World Cup.
The transfer details were lodged by the Emirates Racing Authority yesterday after the late withdrawal of Gitano Hernando, who has been scratched from the Dubai World Cup as he sustained an injury.
Kadyrov’s purchase has attracted attention from the media as scandals have been attached to the reputation of the leader of Chechnya in the past.
Hopes are pinned to Zazou’s performance in the Dubai World Cup as the runner has experience, and scored some terrific victories in the past.
He emerged victorious from the Premio Roma GBI Racing (Group 1) where he was coupled with jockey Mickael Barzalona on 6th November, 2011 at Capannelle.
He had a strong run and gained speed in the final furlong, crossing the wire a short-head ahead of race favourite Rio De La Plata.
Trained by Waldemar Hickst, the five-year-old has shown tremendous progression in his previous races. Paired with Olivier Peslier, the son of Shamardal, out of mare Zaza Top, finished a close third in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin on
11th December, 2011.
Mounted by the same jockey, he emerged triumphant from the Prix Meydan Hotel at Chantilly on 3rd March, 2012.
He entered the race with odds of 7 to 2 and overtook the race favourite Cirrus Des Aigles by a margin of 2 lengths. Under Peslier’s guidance, he made steady progress as the race went on, gaining speed in the final furlong and comfortably breaking through
the wire first, unthreatened by the runner-up.
Cirrus Des Aigles will run in the Sheema Classic, the Dubai prep race.
Despite the new trainer, Zazou will still be trained by Hickst. With his training, the horse is expected to excel.
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