Vareta

Family 11g

1953 g. f. Vilmorin - Veronique (Mon Talisman)

As with Pale Ale, Vareta was identified by Prince Aly Khan as a potential foundation mare for the stud, in her case following a racing career in which she won the 1955 Prix de la Forêt for Vicomte de la Grandière.

Sadly, Prince Aly Khan did not live to see his foresight come to fruition. Vareta did indeed prove to be an exceptionally important mare, notably as the dam of Zeddaan, one of the first really good horses to run under the management of the fourth Aga Khan. Trained by François Mathet, Zeddaan was a brilliantly quick two-year-old, rattling off wins in the Prix Robert Papin, Prix d’Arenberg and a pair of Listed races, yet he also stayed well enough to take the 1968 Poule d’Essai des Poulains and Prix d’Ispahan by eight lengths. Zeddaan stood for a decade in France, during which time he sired the Aga Khan’s 1973 Poule d’Essai des Poulains winner Kalamoun, from whom today the Grey Sovereign sire line runs at its strongest. 

Various daughters also perpetuated Vareta’s own line to good effect. Asharaz, her 1967-foaled daughter of Sicambre, produced the 1980 Prix du Cadran winner Shafaraz and became the granddam of Ashkalani, who upheld the family tradition by winning the 1996 Poule d’Essai des Poulains. Zaheen, her 1973-foaled filly by Silver Shark, also did her bit as the ancestress of the 1998 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches heroine Zalaiyka. 

There remains several descendants of Vareta within the stud, descending via Asharaz and including Stakes winner Ashiyma.