‘He’s shown everyone how good he is’ – Zavateri back with a Group 2 bang

Zavateri, last year’s Group 1 National Stakes winner, returned to winning ways in emphatic style on Saturday with an impressive victory in the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood.

It’s been a stop-start season for Eve Johnson Houghton’s star as injury ruled him out of a Classic campaign. However, that was firmly in the rear view mirror on Saturday as the Without Parole colt bounded clear of Qirat for a near four-length win – despite racing with only three shoes.

Bred by John Gunther and Ttr Bloodstock, Zavateri is the first foal out of the Siyouni mare Zero (pictured), who was bought by Avenue Bloodstock on behalf of the Gunthers at the 2021 Arqana December Sale.

“I’m thrilled, but there’s a lot of relief too,” Eve Johnson Houghton said. “I’m so thrilled he’s shown everyone how good he is, because I knew he was, but people started to doubt him.

“We knew the ground was turning soft but we thought if we can’t run on it now, he’s not going to go on it in two months, so let’s just see. I was so sick right up until they opened the stalls, but then I saw he seemed to quite like the ground, and I was happy as Larry. He’s tough, he loves racing, and he’ll find a gap when he needs to.”

Dam Zeroua was bred by Aga Khan Studs and hails from one of their most iconic families as a granddaughter of champion Zarkava.

Following Zavateri’s win in last year’s Group 2 Vintage Stakes, co-breeder John Gunther told the Racing Post: “We tried to purchase some nice mares for Without Parole and, the way I look at it, if you send him a nice mare, he can throw a good horse. That’s really what it’s all about. Hopefully Zavateri can be a game-changer for him.

“It means so much to have Without Parole throw a couple of good horses. For sure it’s not just the financial end of it, it just makes you feel so good planning the matings and seeing the horse do well.

“It’s a great pedigree. I always loved Zarkava; when she won the races she won she was just unbelievable. To have her in that pedigree is really something. When we saw [Zeroua] at the sale in France we were amazed we got her for the price we got her at. I thought she’d sell for quite a bit more so we were really excited about buying her. Sometimes you get lucky.”