Mark Zahra (Jockey): Biography, Birthday, Net Worth, Age, Wife, Height, Family
Mark Zahra (born May 19, 1982, Age: 41 years old) is one of the most successful and celebrated jockeys in Australia. He has won several prestigious races, including the Melbourne Cup twice, the Caulfield Cup twice, and many other Group 1 events.
He is known for his skill, determination, and passion for the sport. Here is everything you need to know about Zahra, the jockey who has made history in Australian racing.
Early Life
Zahra was born on May 19, 1982, in Melbourne, Australia. He grew up near Perth and was interested in horses from a young age. He started his racing career in Western Australia and was apprenticed to Dean White. His first race day ride was on Wail Spring on Boxing Day 1988 at Geraldton Racecourse. He won his first race at the same track on March 1, 1989, on Winrosy.
He then moved to Victoria to work for Brian Cox at Wodonga and later with Tony McEvoy at Lindsay Park. He quickly established himself as a talented and hard-working rider, and won his first Group 1 race in 2006 on Above Deck in the Doomben Cup, trained by Jim Conlan.
Mark Zahra Wiki | Biodata
| Name | Mark Zahra |
| Date of Birth | May 19, 1982 |
| Age | 41 years old (as of 2023) |
| Place of Birth | Melbourne, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Jockey |
| Spouse | Elyse Zahra |
| Children | Harper Anne Zahra |
| Net Worth | Above USD 3 million |
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) |
| Weight | 76 kg (167 lbs) |
| @djzoro27 | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Major Wins and Achievements
Since then, Mark Zahra has won over 1,500 races, including 25 Group 1 races. Some of his most notable wins and achievements are:
- Winning the Melbourne Cup in 2022 on Gold Trip and in 2023 on Without A Fight, becoming the first jockey to win consecutive Melbourne Cups since Glen Boss in 2003-2005.
- Winning the Caulfield Cup in 2020 on Verry Elleegant and in 2023 on Without A Fight, becoming the first jockey to win consecutive Caulfield Cups since Damien Oliver in 1999-2000.
- Winning the C F Orr Stakes in 2022 on Tofane, the Coolmore Stud Stakes in 2017 on Merchant Navy, the VRC Sprint Classic in 2018 on Santa Ana Lane, the Caulfield Guineas in 2019 on Super Seth, and the T J Smith Stakes in 2019 on Santa Ana Lane, among other Group 1 races.
- Winning the Raffles Cup in Singapore in 2004 on Mayo’s Music, his first international win.
- Winning the Scobie Breasley Medal in 2020, the highest honor for jockeys in Victoria, and being nominated for the award four other times.
- Being inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2023, in recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions to the sport.
Married Life, Wife & Children
Zahra is married to Elyse Zahra, who is also involved in the racing industry as a counselor and a presenter. They have a daughter, Harper Anne Zahra, who was born in May 2021.
They live in Melbourne and enjoy spending time with their family and friends. Zahra is also active on social media, where he shares his insights and experiences with his fans. His Instagram account is @djzoro27, where he has over 2,000 followers.
Championships
Mark Zahra has won many prestigious races in Australia and abroad, including the following:
- 2004 Raffles Cup in Singapore on Mayo’s Music
- 2006 Doomben Cup on Above Deck
- 2008 T J Smith Stakes on Rockdale
- 2017 Coolmore Stud Stakes on Merchant Navy
- 2018 VRC Sprint Classic on Santa Ana Lane
- 2019 Caulfield Guineas on Super Seth
- 2019 T J Smith Stakes on Santa Ana Lane
- 2019 Zipping Classic on Southern France
- 2020 Turnbull Stakes on Verry Elleegant
- 2020 Caulfield Cup on Verry Elleegant
- 2022 C F Orr Stakes on Tofane
- 2022 Melbourne Cup on Gold Trip
- 2023 Turnbull Stakes on Gold Trip
- 2023 Caulfield Cup on Without A Fight
- 2023 Melbourne Cup on Without A Fight
He is the first jockey to win consecutive Melbourne Cups since Glen Boss rode Makybe Diva to three straight wins between 2003 and 2005. He is also the first jockey to win the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup on the same horse, Without A Fight, since Damien Oliver did so on Doriemus in 1995.
Family Details
Zahra’s parents were supportive of his interest in horses and racing from a young age. His father, John, was a builder who also owned a few horses and raced them in Western Australia.
His mother, Bernadette, was a homemaker who took care of the family and helped Mark with his schooling. Zahra credits his parents for instilling in him the values of hard work, discipline, and perseverance that have helped him succeed in his career.
Zahra’s siblings are also involved in the racing industry but in different roles. His brother is a farrier, who specializes in shoeing horses and taking care of their hooves. His sister is a veterinarian, who works with horses and other animals.
Zahra and Without A Fight make history in the Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup, Australia’s most prestigious horse race, was won by Without A Fight on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. The seven-year-old gelding, trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman and ridden by Mark, completed the rare Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double with a dominant performance in the 3200-metre handicap race.
Zahra, who also won the Melbourne Cup last year on Gold Trip, became the first jockey since Glen Boss on Makybe Diva (2003-2005) to win consecutive Melbourne Cups. He also joined an elite group of jockeys who have won both the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup in the same year, a feat he achieved on Without A Fight in October 2023.
Without A Fight, who started as the second favorite behind Vauban, settled in the middle of the pack as the race was run at a fast pace by the leaders. Zahra made his move at the 800-metre mark, taking Without A Fight to the outside and gradually gaining ground on the frontrunners. In the home straight, Without A Fight surged past Vauban and opened up a clear gap to the rest of the field. He crossed the finish line four lengths ahead of Soulcombe, who ran a gallant second, and Sheraz, who finished third.
Without A Fight, who is owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid al Maktoum, became the 12th horse to complete the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double, and the first since Ethereal in 2001. He also improved his record to 10 wins from 25 starts and increased his prize money to over $10 million.
Zahra, who was fined $50,000 and suspended for seven days for breaching the whip rules when he won the Caulfield Cup on Without A Fight, said he was confident of his horse’s chances in the Melbourne Cup.
“I knew he was a champion after I rode him in Brisbane in winter. He’s just got a great turn of foot and he can sustain it for a long time. He’s a very special horse and I’m so grateful to be a part of his story,” Zahra said.
Anthony Freedman, who trains Without A Fight with his son Sam, said he was proud of his horse’s achievement and praised Zahra’s ride.
“It’s a great thrill to win the Melbourne Cup, it’s the race that everyone wants to win. Without A Fight is a remarkable horse, he’s very tough and very consistent. He’s done everything we’ve asked of him and more. Mark rode him perfectly, he timed his run to perfection and gave him every chance,” Freedman said.
The Melbourne Cup, which is known as “the race that stops the nation”, attracted a crowd of over 84,000 people at Flemington Racecourse, as well as millions of viewers on television and online. The race, which was first held in 1861, is the richest two-mile handicap in the world and one of the richest turf races, with a total prize money of $8.4 million in 2023.
Melbourne Cup 2023 Results
| Place | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Without A Fight | Mark Zahra | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Sheikh Mohammed Obaid al Maktoum | 3:18.37 |
| 2nd | Soulcombe | Jamie Kah | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | A McGregor et al. | 3:19.17 |
| 3rd | Sheraz | Hugh Bowman | Chris Waller | Jomara Bloodstock Ltd et al. | 3:19.37 |
| 4th | Vauban | James McDonald | Joseph O’Brien | Lloyd Williams et al. | 3:19.57 |
| 5th | Verry Elleegant | Damien Oliver | Chris Waller | J B Cummings et al. | 3:19.77 |
Net Worth and Salary
Mark Zahra has earned a significant amount of money from his successful racing career. His estimated net worth is above USD 3 million as of 2023, and it is likely to increase as he continues to win races and earn prize money.
His salary depends on his performance and the percentage of the purse he receives from each race. He also earns endorsements and sponsorships from various brands and organizations.
Height and Weight
Zahra is a fit and athletic jockey, who maintains his weight and fitness through a strict diet and exercise regime. He weighs around 76 kg (167 lbs) and his height is 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm)
Trivia
- Zahra started his racing career in Western Australia and was apprenticed to Dean White.
- Mark won his first Group 1 race in 2006 on Above Deck in the Doomben Cup.
- Zahra won the Melbourne Cup in 2022 on Gold Trip and in 2023 on Without A Fight, becoming the first jockey to win consecutive Melbourne Cups since Glen Boss in 2003-2005.
- He won the Caulfield Cup in 2020 on Verry Elleegant and in 2023 on Without A Fight, becoming the first jockey to win consecutive Caulfield Cups since Damien Oliver in 1999-2000.
- He won the Scobie Breasley Medal in 2020, the highest honor for jockeys in Victoria, and was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2023.
- Mark is married to Elyse Zahra and has a daughter, Harper Anne Zahra.
Mark Zahra is an Australian jockey who has won the Melbourne Cup twice, the Caulfield Cup twice, and many other Group 1 races. He is one of the most successful and celebrated jockeys in Australia and has been inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. He is married to Elyse Zahra and has a daughter, Harper Anne Zahra. He has a net worth of above USD 3 million and an Instagram account with over 2,000 followers.
