It is with immense sadness that STOCKWELL THOROUGHBREDS announce the passing of one of the racing worlds most revered champions, ARAZI, at the grand age of 32 years.
The little chestnut with a crooked blaze that made him almost instantly recognisable, captured the minds of racing people around the globe, when in 1991 he produced one of the most memorable performances seen on a racetrack in coming from last to take out the Breeders Cup Juvenile by an easing five length margin.
ARAZI had shown in five earlier brilliant wins in France that he was an exceptional galloper but nobody was prepared for what he did in the bright sunshine at Churchill Downs. Having his first start on dirt and drawing the outside barrier, ARAZI was slow to start and trailed the field out of the first turn before weaving a breathtaking passage inside and outside of others to challenge for the lead coming off the backstretch and rounding up the leader Bertrando on the bend before powering to a massive lead to win eased up under jockey Pat Valenzuela.
“It was like playing a video game in an arcade.” Valanzuela was quoted as saying
However, a knee injury resulted from that race and ARAZI was never quite the same horse again, failing in the Kentucky Derby the following year before retiring to Dalham Hall in the UK.
ARAZI was a much travelled horse, born in the US, raced in France, the US and England before a stud career which took him from England, back to the US, Japan and Switzerland before coming to Australia.
His stud career did not match the highlights of his racing career but he left a champion son in Congaree and a number of his daughters proved to be highly successful broodmares, most notably his stakes winning America who in turn produced the Melbourne Cup winner, Americain.
However, ARAZI’s fan club from all parts of the world never deserted him and in retirement had visitors and well wishers who sent letters and cards for each of his birthdays.
“It has been an honour never lost on us to have been guardians to such a beloved horse,” said Stockwell’s Mike Becker.
“He had major bowel surgery as a four year old and has lived with a major heart murmur for the past 16 years, but in the end it was his body that gave out, not his big heart. He will be very missed around here.”
Farewell to our Mate – you were indeed a superstar.
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