Connections feel Zhukova could have a huge future in Europe after she won the Man O'War Stakes at Belmont Park.
The five-year-old was sent off favourite in New York state, with only five horses in the contest after conditions put paid to three local entrants.
The mare looked at home on the ground after rain had softened the track and, with John Velazquez on board, she raced clear of Taghleeb to win by six lengths.
Trained by Dermot Weld, the daughter of Fastnet Rock has already won many times in Ireland. and the trainer's son and assistant Mark feels there are big things ahead for his charge.
“We're absolutely over the moon with that,” he told www.bloodhorse.com. “It was a major target over the last few weeks.
“She'll come home now but the (Breeders' Cup) Filly & Mare Turf would be a definite possibility to finish off the year.
“She's a true European Grade One mare. We've known she's a good mare for a little while. You don't beat the Breeders' Cup winner Found very easily, and she beat her pretty handily.
“She's a homebred; we've had her since she was a foal bred by my grandmother. This is huge for us today. We have a lot to look forward to.”
