As a winner of the Oaks d’Italia, Zanzibar has already given her connections much cause for cheer and she is proving to be quite a star in the paddocks too.
On Thursday, her firstborn Spice Route, by King's Best (pictured),was third in the Listed Festival Stakes at Goodwood, just behind Sweet Lilly (Tobougg) in second. A dual winner last season, the consistent Spice Route, now four, has been placed on all four starts so far this year, including the Listed Magnolia Stakes and G3 Huxley Stakes. Like his dam, Spice Route races for Gilly Rowland Clark and Kevin Mercer and was bred by the Mercers’ Usk Valley Stud.
Later on the card, his Fantastic Light half-brother Celtic Dragon made his first trip to the winner’s enclosure when winning the 11-furlong M-Real Stakes. Placed at two, this was the three-year-old’s second start of the year and his staying-on win suggests he will relish a step up in trip for future outings.
By In The Wings, Zanzibar won the 2001 G1 Italian Oaks by seven lengths. She has a two-year-old by Dubai Destination, who is, like Spice Route, in training with Michael Bell in Newmarket, a yearling by Tiger Hill and a Halling filly foal.
Also on Thursday, Polish Precedent’s four-year-old son Waldvogel was runner-up in the G3 Betty Barclay-Rennen at Baden-Baden while Nans Joy (In The Wings) took a mile Listed event in Frankfurt.
