Mark Zahra loves the big stage. That includes two Melbourne Cups among his 35 Group 1 victories.
But you won’t find him riding in Victoria during the dark, winter months.
In fact, you won’t find him anywhere in Australia.
Zahra is usually enjoying some of Europe’s best beaches and party establishments, with his Instagram full of the glamorous side of being a top-tier sporting star.
Expensive champagne, beach clubs, family memories that are all a long way from a racetrack.
But Zahra said the balance is his secret to success.
He is now set to ride one of the Cup favorites, Al Riffa, owned by Australian Bloodstock. Director Jamie Lovett told Betsy last week Zahra “is probably the best two-mile rider, the best staying rider we’ve got”.
“I like to have good breaks on other sides of the carnivals, so I can really rest up the mind and body,” he told Betsy.
“And then when it comes to these big races, you can really focus. And when you start having continued success, it sort of builds in your confidence and just sort of feed off that.”
“And yeah, I love this time of year. The good horses come out, the weather starts to come good in Melbourne. It’s a good time to be in the game. I think I’m in as good shape as I can be.”
Zahra waited until he rode Middle Earth in the Caulfield Cup before he committed to Al Riffa despite the 6-year-old’s huge reputation.
Despite being hot property, it was Lovett who chased Zahra to accept the ride.
“Well, it helps when you win a couple of Melbourne Cups, doesn’t it?” Zahra joked.
“I was lucky that all the owners that have been brought in by Australian Bloodstock, I had success with previously.”
“And I’ve always had a bit of success for Jamie, so it’s good to have those relationships in racing because they’ve all got a horse like that and you spring to mind for them for a big race. So I hope the success can continue.”
“So they were pretty keen to get me on board. I just had to wait to see how Middle Earth went in the Caulfield Cup.”
When Middle Earth ran a disappointing Caulfield Cup, it was a an easy decision to hop on the Irish St Leger winner.
“I was happy to put my hand up and say I want to ride him,” Zahra said, adding he’s due to sit on Al Riffa this week.
“I’ll try and tee up with Joseph O’Brien. I’ll have to sit on him before the Cup for sure.”
Zahra has watched his runner’s impressive St Leger win, but is yet to talk likely tactics, and is conscious of the allotted weight.
A hugely impressive performance from the @JosephOBrien2-trained Al Riffa in the G1 Comer Group Irish St Leger pic.twitter.com/NJXHmzAbpf
— The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) September 14, 2025
“He’s got to deal with the 59. That’s probably the only thing you have to worry about,” he said.
“It’s good for me. I’d probably prefer about 57. But anyway, he’s been to St. Leger. He was very good, you know, ridden just off them. But as it gets closer, we’ll work all that sort of stuff out.”
Lovett told Betsy Zahra will pick up the champagne bill if Al Riffa does salute next Tuesday – which the two-time Cup jockey suggested would probably be the least of his worries.
“He campaigned pretty hard to get me on, but I’ll be happy with that,” he said.
“I’ll be the one choosing the champagne, though.”
