Hill 'n' Dale announced Aug. 19 that Arabian Knight, the sale-topping 2-year-old and grade 1-winning millionaire by Uncle Mo , has been retired from racing and will arrive Aug. 20 at the farm near Paris, Ky., where he will take up stud duty.
A $2.3 million purchase from the 2022 Ocala Breeders' April 2-Year-Old Sale, Arabian Knight served notice to the international racing world on Breeders' Cup day that year at Keeneland, where he drew clear from a deep field of juveniles in a seven-furlong maiden race, drawing off by 7 1/4 lengths in 1:21.98.
To put his final time into a proper perspective, the multiple Eclipse-winning sprinter Goodnight Olive ran the seven furlongs at Keeneland later that day in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) in 1:21.61.
In a post-race interview, trainer Bob Baffert said that jockey John Velasquez asked him, "How good is this horse?" To which Baffert responded, "You ride him like you rode Uncle Mo, because I think he is Uncle Mo."
Baffert added, "He was a beast at the sales, that's why he cost so much. He has got to be one of the most talented 2-year-olds I've ever had."
When interviewed after the race and asked for comparisons to the best horses he has ridden, Velasquez responded, "He is so impressive, he reminds me so much of his father, Uncle Mo."
In only his second start, Zedan Racing Stables' Arabian Knight dominated the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park, where he was sent off the 2/5 favorite, romping by 5 1/2 lengths while gearing down. Arabian Knight's tour-de-force performance came later in September of his 3-year-old season at Del Mar. In the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1), Arabian Knight became the first horse to win the 1 1/4-mile race with only three previous starts.
"He showed his brilliance from day one of the 2-year-old sale where he was a man amongst boys," Baffert said. "We knew he was special from the moment we saw him. He has what I love in a horse: beautiful conformation and brilliance.
"He's just not back to where I had him last year. We need more time, which we don't have. I just don't want another Arrogate situation on my hands. This is an exceptionally talented horse," added Baffert.
Hill 'n' Dale owner John Sikura said: "I was at Keeneland the day that Arabian Knight broke his maiden. He was brilliantly fast yet effortless in his first start, winning off without being asked. As a grade 1-winning son of Uncle Mo, Arabian Knight has the brilliance, physicality, and effortless motion that are so important for a sire to possess. He was the star at the 2-year-old sale making $2.3 million and has the 'it' factor we all look for.
"The first time I saw him in person, Bob Baffert said, 'Let me show you the perfect racehorse. His presence and conformation are flawless.' "
Bred by Corser Thoroughbreds, Arabian Knight ends his career 3-0-1 from six starts with $1,562,275 in earnings.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
