Unbeaten Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) winner Zarkava has been retired by owner/breeder the Aga Khan and will be covered by 2003 Arc de Triomphe winner Dalakhani in 2009.

The three-year-old Zamindar filly won all seven of her career starts, including five Group 1 events, and earned $4,793,989 under the guidance of trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre.

The Aga Khan said that no one would regret not seeing Zarkava run next year any more than he would, according to BBC News.

"The quality and youth of our broodmare band is of the utmost importance to ensure we remain breeders of racehorses capable of performing at the top level," he said.

In addition to running from near the back of the field to beat males by two lengths in the Arc on October 5 at Longchamp, Zarkava also was a dual French classic winner, capturing the Poule d'Essai des Poliches (French One Thousand Guineas) (Fr-G1) on May 11 and the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (Fr-G1) on June 8.

"As a trainer, it is normal to feel some disappointment at her retirement," Royer-Dupre said. "But I understand that it is important for the valuable continuation of the Aga Khan's breeding operation. She is going to be a wonderful prospect at stud."