Zaaki started his career in the UK but really made his name Down Under as a superb middle distance specialist

Ahmad Alotaibi bought Zaaki for 40,000 Guineas at the 2016 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale out of the Staffordstown draft. Originally trained by Mohamed Moubarak, Zaaki went winless from 4 starts in the 2017 season. In 2018 he was transferred to the stables of Sir Michael Stoute and was successful at his first start for his new trainer on the 21 April at Thirsk. In 2019 he won the Strensall Stakes at York, the Diomed Stakes at Epsom and the Paradise Stakes at Ascot. Zaaki was by the Brazilian sire Leroidesanimaux (Candy Stripes US) out of a British dam in Kesara (Sadler's Wells).

Zaaki was sold at the Training Sale for 150,000 Guineas. He was purchased by Blandford Bloodstock with the intention to be raced and trained in Australia by Annabel Nesham. In Australia, Zaaki had a slow start but was quickly thrust into the highly competitive Gr.1 Doncaster mile in April 2021. Zaaki secured victory at the Gold Coast in the Hollindale Stakes (1800m) by defeating Fifty Stars. Subsequently, he solidified his performance by claiming victory in the Doomben Cup (2000m) with James McDonald once again serving as the jockey. Zaaki achieved another victory at Eagle Farm and made a comeback in the spring at Royal Randwick in the Tramway Stakes. Zaaki then delivered an impressive performance by defeating Probabeel in the Underwood Stakes (1800m) under the skillful guidance of Craig Williams. In October, Probabeel reversed the result in the 2000m Might and Power, with Zaaki finishing third. However in November, Zaaki won the prestigious MacKinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, defeating Cascadian and Mo'unga.

In March 2022, Zaaki exhibited exceptional prowess by achieving a commendable second-place finish in the Blarney Stakes (1600m). Subsequently, on March 19th, under the skilled guidance of jockey Jamie Kah, Zaaki achieved a notable victory in the prestigious $5.43M All-Star Mile race held at Flemington over a distance of 1600m. In this thrilling event, Zaaki surpassed formidable competitors such as I'm Thunderstruck and Streets of Avalon, landing a well-deserved, elite victory. Zaaki finished second in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) in April, losing to the powerful Think It Over. In May, Zaaki successfully defended his Hollindale Stakes title at Eagle Farm before placing third in the Doomben Cup behind Huetor.

Subsequent to a hiatus, the gelding made a comeback in the spring of 2022 and emerged victorious in the Tramway Stakes (1400m) held at Randwick, beating Icebath in the process. However, Zaaki was unable to secure victory in the Underwood Stakes held at Sandown, with Alligator Blood claiming the top spot. Additionally, the exceptional Anamoe surpassed Zaaki in the Might and Power held at Caulfield, resulting in a third-place finish for the latter. Anamoe subsequently secured victory in the Cox Plate, with Zaaki placing fourth. He concluded his campaign on a high note by winning the Gr.1 McKinnon Stakes (2000m) with Jamie Kah as his jockey, surpassing the consistently performing Mo'unga.

Zaaki made his return to the racing scene in the Autumn of 2023, securing a commendable second-place finish behind Giga Kick in the prestigious All Aged Stakes held at Randwick. Subsequently, he ventured north once again to participate in the Hollindale Stakes, where he emerged victorious for the third successive time under the skilled guidance of JMac. He became the first horse to ever win three editions of the race with Rough Habit (1991/1992), Shogun Lodge (2000/2001) and Leebaz (2015/2016) the only dual winners of the race. However, his final Queensland outing in the Doomben Cup resulted in a seventh-place finish. The connections of Zaaki then shifted their focus to Western Australia after running 4th to Atishu in the Championship Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, opting out of international competition in Hong Kong. He ran 2nd in the Gr.1 Northerly at Ascot, in what was billed as his final ever start, only for Dom To Shoot to spoil the party. Zaaki was retired from racing after a 48-start career and amassing more than AU$11 million in prize money.

RACE RECORD - 48: 15-8-10

EARNINGS - $11,102,689

Paradise Stakes (2019)

Diomed Stakes (2019)

Strensall Stakes (2019)

Hollindale Stakes (2021, 2022, 2023)

Doomben Cup (2021)

Q22 (2021)

Tramway Stakes (2021, 2022)

Underwood Stakes (2021)

Mackinnon Stakes (2021, 2022)