Arazi, one of the most scintillating winners in Breeders' Cup history, has died at the grand age of 32.
The chestnut with three white socks and a recognizable crooked blaze produced a memorable display in the Juvenile (G1) at Churchill Downs in 1991, capping an eight-race campaign at 2 with seven wins.
Commentator Tom Durkin called "And Arazi runs right by him!" in almost disbelief as the champion 2-year-old breezed by main rival Bertrando on the turn into the home straight on his way to a five-length rout.
RIP to Arazi, who has passed away at 32. 🏇 💜
— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) July 2, 2021
We'll never forget his 1991 #BreedersCup Juvenile performance. pic.twitter.com/rvBZAtXoM6
When owner Allen Paulson, who sold a 50% share in Arazi to Sheikh Mohammed for $9 million, was asked whether the then 2-year-old was the best horse he had ever owned, he said: "Arazi is not just the best horse I have ever owned—he's the best horse anyone has ever owned."
Trained by Francois Boutin, Arazi landed three other top-level wins in France as a juvenile in the Prix Morny Agence Francaise (G1), Prix de la Salamandre (G1), and the Ciga Grand Criterium (G1) and was the first winner of the Cartier Horse of the Year award that year.
Arazi never quite scaled such heights at 3, winning at a group 2 and listed level, finishing fifth in the St. James's Palace Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot and down the field in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T).
Brief Truce won the St. James's Palace in 1992 and the pair were eventually reunited at Stockwell Thoroughbreds on the outskirts of Melbourne, with Arazi arriving after stints at stud in England, the United States, Japan, and Switzerland.
Remembering the great ARAZI, who has sadly died at the age of 32.
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) July 2, 2021
1991 @BreedersCup Juvenile 🥇
1991 Prix Morny 🥇
1991 Grand Critérium 🥇
1991 Prix de la Salamandre 🥇
1991 Prix Robert Papin 🥇
What a talent. pic.twitter.com/W8palGHDVN
Stockwell's Mike Becker told the Racing Post: "The day had to come but it was a nice and very peaceful way for him to go. It's been an honor never lost on us to have been guardians to such a beloved horse and a superstar.
"It will be a different place without him to wake up to as he was a cheeky old fella. He lived a great life and was so highly regarded in the U.S. and UK.
"Racing fans around the world always remembered him and his memory has never been diminished over the years. In his brilliance at the Breeders' Cup, he did something that has never been forgotten.
"He still to this day gets fan mail and the outpouring on social media to his passing has been unbelievable. He really was part of the family, and I have a beautiful photo of my granddaughter, who was six months old at the time, sitting on his back with a big smile on his face and a big smile on her face. He'll be greatly missed."
