Just ten days ago in a 2600m Marseille-Vivaux claimer, 9 year-old Zarica imposed with authority and, in doing so, registered her 12th success since January, beating the record held for most wins in a calendar year by Alips who imposed eleven times, with four different trainers, as a 2 year-old in 1996.

Owned by Christian Trecco and trained by David Windrif, Zarica was claimed by Jean-Pierre Mio, of Ecurie Forêt Jaune renown, after coming 4th in a Le Touquet claimer 16 months ago. Sent to Julien Phelippon, she debuted in the Forêt Jaune colours just eleven days later and has done nothing but thrive since.

She won three from six for the new team last season before being put away for 2.5 months. 2023 got off to a cracking start with three straight successes on fibresand, first at Deauville followed by a brace at Lyon-La Soie. Unafraid to travel, Phelippon has sent her to the five corners of France, from Le Croisé-Laroche in the north to Marseille on the Riviera. Since moving stables, she has blotted her copybook just the once. Marked down to an illness, she was subsequently sent for a two-months spell before getting straight back in the game, winning by three parts of a length, while giving weight to the field, and cementing her place in the record books.

The idea to campaign the mare with a view to beating the record came early in the season and Phelippon spared no time finding the best races for her. They were forced to defend her for €19,200 after her Marseille victory but, considering her exploits, it was a small price to pay. Ten in just a few days time, Zarica looks set to entertain us further in 2024.