Arazi

Trainer:François Boutin
Owner: Allen E. Paulson, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Foaling Date: 1989
Pedigree: Blushing Groom and Danseur Fabuleux of Northern Dancer
Dosage: 4-4-14-0-2 (24)
Dosage Index / CD: 1.67 / 0.33

Notes: Arazi is considered by many as one of the best performers in the Breeders’ Cup thoroughbr ed racing. A muscular-c hestnut-co lt with a slight crocked white blaze on the forehead was bought in Kentucky by an American businessma n Allen E. Paulson. Actually, Allen was the owner of that stable where Arazi was set for primary training under the trainer Francois Boutin. Arazi enjoyed a brilliant racing season as a two-year-o ld and ranked as one of the best in the history. When he was in France, he secured victory in six of his seven races and earned reputation within a short period. Suddenly it was decided that Arazi should race in the American Triple Crown. The decision was right to the core of it; those who have witnessed the 1991 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile still talks of his brilliant performanc e. It was the first race in the United States and the little colt drew the last postpositi on; in spite of all these obstacles Arazi made a historic mark in that Breeders’ Cup stakes. Many European horses rode and won in the breeders’ Cup but they ran on the grass but for the first time in the history Arazi faced dirt track in the Breeders’ Cup. On the 1992 session of the Breeders’ Cup and for the 118th running of the Kentucky Derby, Arazi began the race from the seventeent h postpositi on in the large field of eighteenth . Despite his poor position, the bettors confidentl y wagered as much on Arazi to win as was wagered on all others. Finally he came back to his native country – France, where he raced four more times. Gradually his performanc e level diminished ; he was taken to the US, where he made his faithful fans disappoint ed. He was retired and was sent to Sheikh Mohammed’s horse breeding operation at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket, England. Some of his notable offspring include Congaree, Electrocut ionist and more.

Facts

• Major Racing Wins: — Prix du Bois (1991), Prix Robert Papin (1991), Prix Morny (1991), Prix de la Salamandre (1991), Grand Critérium (1991), Breeders' Cup Juvenile (1991), Prix Omnium II (1992), Prix du Rond Point (1992)

• Racing Awards: — U.S. Two Yr-Old Male Champion (1991), European Two Yr-Old Male Champion (1991), European Horse of the Year (1991)