Azamour
Azamour | |
---|---|
Sire | St. James's Palace Stakes (2004) Irish Champion Stakes (2004) Prince of Wales's Stakes (2005) George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2005) |
Awards | |
European Champion Older Horse (2005) BHB Champion Older Male (2005) BHB Champion Middle-Distance Horse (2005) |
Azamour (8 March 2001 – 5 April 2014) was a
Background
Azamour was a "powerful" bay horse standing 16.2 hands high.[2] He was bred in Ireland and raced by the Aga Khan. His sire, Night Shift, was a son Northern Dancer who is regarded as the 20th century's best sire of sires,[3] while his dam was Asmara, a daughter of Lear Fan, a Group One winning son of Roberto.
Apart from Azamour, Night Shift sired many good racehorses in a long stud career,
Azamour was trained throughout his career by
Racing career
2003: two-year-old season
Azamour made two starts at age two, both at the
He was stepped up in class and distance four weeks later, when he contested the Group Two Beresford Stakes over a mile on soft (officially "yielding") ground. Azamour was made 6/4 favourite in a field which included runners from the leading stables of Aidan O'Brien, Jim Bolger and Dermot Weld. Murtagh tracked the leader Relaxed Gesture throughout the race and Azamour stayed on under pressure in the straight to take the lead inside the last furlong and win by a neck.[10]
Relaxed Gesture was highly regarded by Dermot Weld,[11] and Azamour was identified by some observers as a colt who could go on to better things in 2004.[12]
2004: three-year-old season
After missing an intended run in the Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial,
As a result of his performance at Newmarket, Azamour was made 6/4 favourite for the
Azamour was then sent back to England for the
Oxx withdrew Azamour from the International Stakes at York after being concerned that his horse would be unsuited by the soft ground.[18] He had therefore been off the course for almost three months before he ran again, this time against older horses, in the Irish Champion Stakes. Kinane held the colt up in last place before making his challenge in the straight. Azamour produced a powerful, sustained run (described by RTÉ as a "blistering flourish")[19] to move past the entire field, catching Norse Dancer in the last strides and winning by half a length. The beaten horses included the Group One winners Powerscourt, Grey Swallow, Rakti and the odds-on favourite Doyen.[20]
On his final start of the season, Azamour returned to Newmarket's Rowley Mile course for the Champion Stakes. He was again held up, before making headway in the closing stages, but could never reach the lead, and finished third of the eleven runners, beaten three and a half lengths by Haafhd.[21] Oxx was not particularly disappointed, explaining that the colt was unsuited by the soft ground. Oxx also stated that, unlike most of the Aga Khan's horses, Azamour would stay in training as a four-year-old and nominated the Tattersalls Gold Cup, Prince of Wales's Stakes and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes as his targets.[22]
2005: four-year-old season
As predicted, Azamour began his season in a strong renewal of the Tattersalls Gold Cup in which he took fourth place behind Grey Swallow, Bago and Ace. He was unable to find a clear run after Bago drifted across in the closing stages, and Kinane felt that he had been an unlucky loser.[23]
Azamour was then sent to Royal "Ascot". Because of redevelopments at Ascot Racecourse, all the course's fixtures were moved in 2005, with the Royal meeting taking place at York. Azamour was made 11/8 favourite for the Prince of Wales's Stakes, and justified his position by leading a furlong from the finish and beating Ace by one and a half lengths, with Elvstroem, Warrsan and Ouija Board among the also-rans.[24]
The
Azamour was made 6/4 favourite in his attempt to win a second Irish Champion Stakes in September, despite the presence of the Derby winner Motivator. As Kinane had been injured in a fall at the Curragh, Azamour was ridden by Christophe Soumillon. Oxx expressed some concern about the situation, pointing out that Kinane had "a real rapport" with the horse.[30] Azamour failed to reproduce his best form, and finished fifth of the ten runners behind Oratorio. Azamour slipped on the turn into the straight at Leopardstown sustaining a muscle injury,[31] and was then forced to miss an intended run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after suffering from a hoof abscess.[32]
Azamour's final race was a challenge for the Breeders' Cup Turf at Belmont Park. He was held up as usual, but when Kinane attempted to make his move he was unable to find a space, and was forced to drop back and switch to the outside.[33] Azamour made rapid progress in the closing stages, but his effort was too late, and he finished third behind Shirocco and Ace.[34]
Azamour's retirement was announced shortly afterwards. Oxx paid tribute to the horse, calling him "phenomenal" and emphasising his toughness and ability to win over a range of distances.[35]
Race record
Date | Race | Dist (f) | Course | Class | Prize (£K) | Odds | Runners | Placing | Margin | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
14 September 2003 | Pizza Stop EBF Maiden | 7 | The Curragh | M | 8 | 7/4 | 9 | 1 | 2.5 | 1:25.40 | Johnny Murtagh | John Oxx |
12 October 2003 | Beresford Stakes | 8 | The Curragh | 2 | 54 | 6/4 | 6 | 1 | Neck | 1:42.00 | Johnny Murtagh | John Oxx |
1 May 2004 | 2000 Guineas
|
8 | Newmarket Rowley | 1 | 174 | 25/1 | 14 | 3 | 2.75 | 1:36.64 | Michael Kinane | John Oxx |
22 May 2004 | Irish 2,000 Guineas | 8 | The Curragh | 1 | 164 | 6/4 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 1:40.00 | Michael Kinane | John Oxx |
15 June 2004 | St. James's Palace Stakes
|
8 | Ascot | 1 | 139 | 9/2 | 11 | 1 | Neck | 1:39.02 | Michael Kinane | John Oxx |
11 September 2004 | Irish Champion Stakes | 10 | Leopardstown | 1 | 407 | 8/1 | 8 | 1 | 0.5 | 2:01.90 | Michael Kinane | John Oxx |
16 October 2004 | Champion Stakes | 10 | Newmarket Rowley | 1 | 215 | 6/1 | 11 | 3 | 3.5 | 2:06.90 | Michael Kinane | John Oxx |
22 May 2005 | Tattersalls Gold Cup | 10.5 | The Curragh | 1 | 109 | 4/1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2.15.10 | Michael Kinane | John Oxx |
15 June 2005 | Prince of Wales's Stakes | 10 | Newmarket York | 1 | 203 | 11/8 | 8 | 1 | 1.5 | 2:08.15 | Michael Kinane | John Oxx |
23 July 2005 | King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes | 12 | Newbury | 1 | 408 | 5/2 | 12 | 1 | 1.25 | 2:28.26 | Michael Kinane | John Oxx |
10 September 2005 | Irish Champion Stakes | 10 | Leopardstown | 1 | 396 | 6/4 | 10 | 5 | 2.25 | 2:03.90 | Christophe Soumillon | John Oxx |
29 October 2005 | Breeders' Cup Turf | 12 | Belmont Park | 1 | 617 | 100/30 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 2:29.30 | Michael Kinane | John Oxx |
.
Assessment
In the 2004
In the 2005
His 2005 performances earned Azamour the title of
Azamour was also named Champion middle-distance horse and Champion older horse by the British Horseracing Board.[37]
Several years after Azamour's retirement, John Oxx pointed out the colt's similarities to Sea the Stars, explaining that both horses had dominant temperaments- they were natural "herd leaders."[38]
Stud career
Retired to stud for the 2006 season, Azamour stood at his owners Gilltown Stud near Kilcullen, Ireland. His stud fee for 2012 was €15,000.[39]
Azamour had success as a sire with his best offspring including
On 5 April 2014 Azamour was euthanised. The Aga Khan Studs tweeted "We are sad to announce that the stallion, Azamour, was put down after sustaining a serious injury in his box this morning. Despite the best efforts of both vets and attending staff, the four time Group 1 winner had to be euthanised on humane grounds today".[41]
Pedigree
Sire Night Shift (USA) 1980 |
Northern Dancer 1961 |
Nearctic | Nearco |
---|---|---|---|
Lady Angela | |||
Natalma | Native Dancer | ||
Almahmoud | |||
Ciboulette 1961 |
Chip Chop | Flares | |
Sceptical | |||
Windy Answer | Windfields | ||
Reply | |||
Dam Asmara (USA) 1993 |
Lear Fan 1981 |
Roberto | Hail To Reason |
Bramalea | |||
Wac | Lt. Stevens | ||
Belthazar | |||
Anaza 1986 |
Darshaan | Shirley Heights | |
Delsy | |||
Azaarika | Ribero | ||
Arcana (Family: 4-i) |
References
- ^ a b "The 2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings". Horse Racing. 31 December 2005. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "AZAMOUR – Conformation". Aga Khan Studs. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Northern Dancer". Thoroughbred Times. Archived from the original on 10 June 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Sun sets on Night Shift's career". Thoroughbred Internet. 17 November 2008. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Night Shift Stud Record". Racing Post. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Asmara 1996 Trigo Stakes". Racing Post. 28 October 1996. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Azamour". Racing Post. 2 June 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Arazan race record". Racing Post. 2 June 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Pizza Stop EBF Maiden". Racing Post. 14 September 2003. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Beresford Stakes". Racing Post. 12 October 2003. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ Shulman, Lenny (23 October 2003). "Dermot Weld's Relaxed Plan". BloodHorse. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Spencer logical choice". Irish Independent. 9 November 2003. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Derby story begins for Yeats". RTÉ. 16 April 2004. Retrieved 18 September 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "2000 Guineas". Racing Post. 1 May 2004. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Irish 2000 Guineas". Racing Post. 22 May 2004. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "St. James's Palace Stakes". Racing Post. 15 June 2004. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ Edmondson, Richard (16 June 2004). "Brave Azamour lays claim to mile crown". The Independent. London. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Oxx decides on Azamour run tomorrow". RTÉ. 16 August 2004. Archived from the original on 29 October 2004. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Last-to-first Azamour is Irish Stakes Champ". RTÉ. 11 September 2004. Archived from the original on 29 October 2004. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Irish Champion Stakes 2004". Racing Post. 11 September 2004. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Champion Stakes". Racing Post. 16 October 2004. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ Edmondson, Richard (18 October 2004). "Shamardal eases the grief for Johnston". The Independent. London. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ J A McGrath (15 June 2005). "Unlucky Azamour gets vote of confidence". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Prince of Wales's Stakes". Racing Post. 15 June 2005. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "QIPCO British Champions Series". British champions series. Archived from the original on 24 August 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Azamour leads old brigade toward King George". The Independent. London. 19 July 2005. Retrieved 18 September 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "King George procession for Azamour". The Independent. London. 24 July 2005. Retrieved 18 September 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes". Racing Post. 23 July 2005. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ Eddie Fremantle (24 July 2005). "Azamour sparkles in the Diamond Stakes". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ J A McGrath (22 August 2005). "Soumillon set to stand in for injured Kinane on Azamour". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Shawanda impresses in Arc trial". The Telegraph. 12 September 2005. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ "Azamour fit to lead Europe's team for Belmont". The Independent. London. 20 October 2005. Retrieved 18 September 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Turf glory for Shirocco". Sporting Life. 29 October 2005. Retrieved 18 September 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Breeders' Cup Turf". Racing Post. 29 October 2005. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "'PHENOMENAL' AZAMOUR RETIRED". Sporting Life. 12 March 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "2004Rankings". horseracingintfed.com. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
- ^ "Motivator named Horse of the Year". BBC News. 17 January 2006. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "The greatest horse of all time?". The Independent. London. 3 October 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Azamour stallion details". Racing Post. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Azamour stud record". Racing Post. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Gilltown Stud sire Azamour dies". Belfast Telegraph. 5 April 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
- ^ "AZAMOUR – Pedigree". Aga Khan Studs. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Azamour pedigree". Equineline. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.